Florida voters have rejected an initiative to legalize marijuana for adult use.
While the measure got a clear majority of votes, it failed to achieve the steep 60 percent vote threshold needed to pass a constitutional amendment under state law.
The initiative did benefit from major endorsements, including that of former President Donald Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential nominee and a Florida resident who said he would vote for it. At the same time, it faced a concerted opposition campaign from top officials such as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and the state Republican Party.
“Tonight, a strong majority of Floridians voted in support of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults,” the campaign said in a press release. “While the results of Amendment 3 did not clear the 60 percent threshold, we are eager to work with the governor and legislative leaders who agree with us on decriminalizing recreational marijuana for adults, addressing public consumption, continuing our focus on child safety, and expanding access to safe marijuana through home grow.”
“We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the majority of Florida voters who voted yes on Amendment 3 and everyone who stood with us in this effort,” they said. “We remain committed to advocating for a smarter and safer Florida and will continue to work towards solutions that benefit all Floridians.”
Summary of Amendment 3
- Adults 21 and older would have been able to purchase and possess up to three ounces of cannabis for personal use. The cap for marijuana concentrates would have been five grams.
- Medical cannabis dispensaries could have had the ability to “acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute marijuana products and marijuana accessories to adults for personal use.”
- The legislature would have been authorized—but not required—to approve additional entities that are not currently licensed cannabis dispensaries.
- The initiative specified that nothing in the proposal prevented the legislature from “enacting laws that are consistent with this amendment.”
- The amendment further clarified that nothing about the proposal would have affected federal law, which seemed to be an effort to avoid past legal challenges about misleading ballot language.
- There were no provisions for home cultivation, expungement of prior records or social equity.
- The measure would have taken effect six months following this approval by voters.
Read more at Marijuana Moment