Hialeah Councilwoman Angelica Pacheco has proposed an ordinance targeting marijuana use in public places within the City of Progress. Her initiative seeks to extend current prohibitions to include not just parks but also parking lots, shopping centres, and grocery stores, aiming for a comprehensive ban on public consumption. This proposal comes months ahead of Florida’s vote on Amendment 3, which could legalise marijuana use for adults in the state.

Pacheco’s stance has sparked discussions among city officials, leading to a notable disagreement with Hialeah Mayor Esteban Bovo, who believes such a law is redundant given existing regulations. However, Pacheco argues that the current ordinances fall short, specifically in addressing marijuana use, suggesting a need for a broader, more explicit prohibition.

The discussion escalated during a city meeting earlier this month, where alternatives such as merely amending the existing ordinance to include marijuana were debated. Pacheco, however, backed by the city attorney, insisted on the necessity of a separate ordinance to adequately cover the issue.

Mayor Bovo criticised Pacheco’s push for the ordinance as potentially motivated by a desire for publicity, a claim she disputes by emphasising her concern over public health and safety, especially in areas frequented by children and families.

As Florida gears up for a significant decision on marijuana legalisation with Amendment 3, the dialogue in Hialeah reflects a microcosm of the broader debates playing out across the state regarding drug policy, public space usage, and community standards. With opinions divided among residents, the coming months are poised to be a critical period for setting precedents that could influence the future legal and social landscape of marijuana use in Florida.

For more details on this developing story, visit CBS News Miami.