Floridians Won’t Vote on Recreational Marijuana on the November Ballot

 

Floridians will not be voting on recreational marijuana on this November's ballot. The proposed amendment that would have allowed adults age 21 & over to buy and use recreational marijuana failed to qualify for Florida's 2026 ballot due to a shortfall of verified signatures.

The Florida Department of State announced on Sunday that the political organization behind the initiative, Smart & State Florida, had fallen short of the 880,000 verified signatures required by Florida law to be received before the February 1st deadline. It was announced that around 783,000 signatures had been submitted - Smart & Safe Florida opposed in a statement claiming that 1.4 million signatures had been submitted.

This campaign's shortfall comes after months of state directives that tossed out tens of thousands of petitions from Florida voters suspected of being fraudulent. Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, commented on the failed petition at a press conference on Monday in Tampa saying that the Smart & Safe Florida failed to gets its amendment on the 2026 ballot due to "numerous cases of fraudulent petitions." He confirmed that the action by the Dept. of State will not end his office's investigation of election fraud.

You may remember that Floridians voted on a similar measure back in 2024 and even though more than 56% of voters approved, it didn't pass because it didn't meet the required 60% threshold of voter support needed for approval.

40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance – Story #2

 

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has been Polk County's trusted prevention leader. We're celebrating our 40th Anniversary by sharing a special memory from each year that our agency has been in existence since 1985 - along with the incredible programs that continue our mission. 

Story #2: Remember the 90s? Big hair, big ideas, and a BIG GORILLA?!

Meet Eugene, our loveable "Just Say No" mascot who spent over 20 years visiting schools, participating in community events, and giving big hugs to spread the message of Hugs NOT Drugs? While Eugene is now retired, his spirit of prevention education lives on in every classroom we visit.

Then & Now

From one beloved gorilla mascot to a team of 10 professional prevention educators! Today, InnerAct Alliance teaches FREE evidence-based programs in grades 4-5-6/7-9 across Polk County schools. Our educators equip students with essential skills to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors that lead to substance abuse. 

After 4 decades of service, we need YOUR help to reach even more students and schools in our community.

Support Our Teacher Team!
$40 = one more hour in the classroom
$400 = teaching a class for 10 weeks
$4,000 = an entire Fall quarter of classes
$40,000 = 1 full-time or 2 part-time teachers

Donate by

texting AAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

click on QR Code

Check back again soon as we will be sharing more stories celebrating our community's commitment to preventing harm and promoting health!

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #EugeneTheGorilla #HugsNotDrugs #PreventionEducation #PolkCountySchools #DrugFreeCommunity

Florida Received Poor Grades in 2026 State of Tobacco Control Report

 

The American Lung Association's 24th Annual State of Tobacco Control Report grades states and the federal government on policies and laws designed to protect the public from harmful tobacco use in 5 categories: prevention & cessation funding, smoke-free air, tobacco taxes, access to cessation services, and regulation of flavored tobacco products that put our youth at risk of addiction. Florida's grades on the ALA's 2026 report, released on January 27, 2026, show that our state must step up efforts to reduce tobacco use to protect our communities.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and diseases having claimed more than 490,000 lives in the U.S. and 32,300 Florida residents each year. Major strides in smoking prevention have been achieved in recent years - rates for adults smoking dropped from 23% in 2000 to 10.5% in 2023 and youth tobacco use has reached at its lowest level in 25 years - but vaping tobacco in schools is still a significant concern. Statistics show that more than 2 million middle and high school students surveyed still use tobacco, including e-cigarettes.

In the report, Federal Government received grades of D (in regulation of tobacco products and coverage of treatment to help people quit smoking) - and B (in funds for tobacco prevention/control). Pending reductions in funding could negatively impact efforts to reduce tobacco use.

Florida is doing better than other states when it comes to reducing tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association. The Sunshine State received grades of C (smoke-free air and access to cessation services) and F (prevention/cessation funding, tobacco taxes, inadequate regulation of flavored tobacco products). Grades are almost the same as last year, other than rising from D to C in improvement in access to cessation services. Lawmakers were commended for efforts to allocate funds to Tobacco Free Florida, the state's tobacco control program, which does a good job with the funds given. 

To keep tobacco control progress heading in the right direction, the American Lung Association Reports suggests implementing public policies like raising taxes on tobacco products, expanding smoke-free workplace laws, reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes, and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Clearly there's still work to do! Talk to your kids about the dangers of tobacco use 🚭

Read about Florida's Grades in the
State of Tobacco Control's 2026 report card:

https://www.lung.org/research/sotc/state-grades/florida 

Introducing 40 Years – 40 Stories of InnerAct Alliance - Story #1

 

For four decades, InnerAct Alliance has been Polk County's trusted prevention leader. We're celebrating our 40th anniversary by sharing a special memory from each year that our agency has been in existence since 1985 - along with the incredible programs that continue our mission today!🙌

Story #1: Pride of Lakeland Was Born

In 1986, we organized our first "Just Say No" Anti-Drug March through downtown Lakeland. Nearly 3,000 students rallied together at the Civic Center, making a visible statement against drugs. This 1989 photo from The Ledger shows Scott Lake Elementary students with their creative banner leading the charge!

Today, that spirit lives on through our Annual  Red Ribbon Run - one of Florida's largest drug prevention awareness events! Thousands of K-8 students and families father around Lake Mirror each October for our FREE one-mile fun run celebrating healthy, drug-free lifestyles. 

Celebrating Generations of Prevention: The photo above shows a Dad who ran in the Red Ribbon Run as a young boy, and now his kindergartner plans to run too! 🎀

Please Support 40 More Years of Prevention!

$40 one-time gift = prevention services for a family

$40/month = up to 12 families in 2026
$400/month = 120 families in 2026

Donate by

texting IAA to 26989

https://www.inneractalliance.org/#donate

click on QR Code

Stay tuned as we share more stories celebrating our community's commitment to preventing harm and promoting health!

#40Years40Stories #InnerActAlliance #Prevention Works #PolkCounty #RedRibbonRun #DrugFreeCommunity 

2026 Spring Project Prom Shopping Dates Announced

 

Countdown to Prom is underway! Unfortunately for some teens, expenses associated with attending this milestone social event may be out of reach. InnerAct Alliance and the UthMpact coalition are proud to continue the Project Prom effort, now in its 14th year, to provide free formal wear to deserving high school students and educate youth and parents about risky behaviors that may occur during prom and graduation.

Student Shopping Days will take place on Saturdays: February 7, February 21, March 7, and March 21 from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Project Prom Store at the Lakeland Square Mall, 3800 U.S. Highway 98 North in Lakeland (use entrance to the right of Dillards). Students with a Polk County School ID can sign a pledge to celebrate alcohol and drug-free and receive their dresses and suits at no cost.

Since 2013, over 6,000 prom ensembles have been provided at no cost to teens in Polk County. Community members may support the effort by donating gently used dresses, men's suits, shoes, and accessories. Especially needed are women's dresses in sizes XS (0-3) and plus sizes (18+) and men's suits in smaller sizes, dress pants (waist 30-36) and dress shirts (all sizes). Donations may be dropped off at the Project Prom Store on shopping dates or at the InnerAct Alliance office (8:30am-4:30pm weekdays) at 621 S. Florida Avenue, in Lakeland.

UthMpact's goal is to promote a safe and fun Prom Night. For information, please call Samantha Barwig at (863) 802-0777.

Visit www.inneractalliance.org

   
Like us on Facebook
Project Prom of Polk County, Florida

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=project%20prom%20of%20polk%20county%2C%20florida

 

Some Risky Substances Marketed & Sold as “Legal” or “Natural”

 

Social media and online influencer marketing has gone a long way in an attempt to normalize use of some substances labeled as "legal" or "natural" to give people the perception that these products are relatively harmless for human consumption. Truth is that they are not safe and use of many of these substances can put young people at risk.

Following up on Monday's post, Pharmacists Partner in Prevention, we've learned that pharmacists are now speaking out about commonly used substances in the gray zone of legality and safety that have become more accessible to youth. What's worse is that they are being placed for sale in plain sight on the sheves of neighborhood gas stations, convenience stores, and vape shops. 

Druggists warn that there is a need to share factual information with the public about the many hidden health risks in substances like nitrous oxide, kratom, delta-8 and delta-9 THC, and salvia divinorum. Studies show these products are associated with dependence, neurologic injury, psychiatric effects, and accidental harm in the youth population. 

Let's examine some of these substances marketed as "legal" or "natural":

Nitrous Oxide - known as "whippets" or "laughing gas," these products are frequently misused for their euphoric effects. The flavored containers, intended for culinary use, are marketed under brand names such as "galaxy gas" that have gained popularity among youth through social media. Recreational use of nitrous oxide can results in irreversible neurologic injury and related health complications.

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) - Kratom, marketed as a dietary supplement for pain relief, anxiety, and opioid withdrawal, has been linked to seizures, liver damage, hypertension, and opioid-like withdrawal symptoms. FDA analysis has identified contamination with heavy metals and pathogenic organisms in unregulated products.

Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC - these THC products, widely marketed as "legal" cannabis alternatives, can be found on store shelves in the form of edibles, vape cartridges, and tinctures. Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Delta-8 THC is a synthetic form with similar psychoactive effects. These products have raised concerns about inaccurate labeling, excessive THC, and contamination from chemical products. Effects such as anxiety, paranoia, impaired cognition, and psychosis are known to be amplified in adolescents and youth.

Salvia Divinorum - when smoked or chewed, salvinorin A is known to produce rapid-onset hallucinations, dissociation, and loss of environmental awareness. Psychoactive effects of Salvia use can bring on panic reactions, accidental injuries, and prolonged psychological distress - its sale as a novelty or incense product may obscure its clinical risks.

 Know the Facts!

https://www.drugtopics.com/view/hidden-in-plain-sight-legal-substances-putting-children-at-risk

  

Test Your Marijuana IQ

 

We all know that Marijuana can affect the ability to make decisions, solve problems, and perform other cognitive functions, but...how much do you REALLY know about the effects and risks of Marijuana? You might be surprised!

One thing you should always remember is that current strains of marijuana have much higher levels of THC than was available years ago. The higher levels of THC today may lead to higher rates of addiction.

Our prevention partners at The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers an online quiz to test your Marijuana IQ. 

Click the following link to find out

https://www.samhsa.gov/marijuana-quiz