On this week’s “Florida NewsMakers” program, Amy Baker, coordinator of the state’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, sits down with Sachs Media Group’s Trimmel Gomes to discuss the potential financial impact of legalizing medical marijuana and expansion of casino gambling in Florida.

Floridians could soon be deciding on the hot-button medical marijuana issue and the Legislature is considering the casino matter – but a great deal of uncertainty remains regarding the proposals’ cost to the state. “The consensus that we were getting from all the affected agencies is that they expected more cost, whether they’re regulatory cost or increased law enforcement cost related to regulation,” Baker tells Gomes about the medical marijuana proposal, “but they weren’t able to quantify that at this time.” When it comes to expanding casino gambling, Bakers says data suggests a small positive impact to the state. “The only way we can see significant new money is if you attract people from other states (and their) only reason for coming to Florida is to go to a casino that’s here in Florida. That adds new money.” Baker addresses those issues as well as the implications of Florida’s steady movement toward overtaking New York to become the nation’s third most populous state.

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