Florida’s effort to legalize recreational marijuana achieved a major milestone, with enough signatures gathered to put the proposed ballot measure on the 2024 ballot. Smart & Safe Florida’s constitutional amendment garnered over 967,000 valid signatures, exceeding the requirement by 70,000. Despite spending $38.4 million, funded by Trulieve Inc. (who owns 186 retail dispensaries across 11 states), challenges remain. Florida’s Supreme Court review and an expected legal challenge from Attorney General Ashley Moody lie ahead.
If approved, the amendment would allow adults over 21 to possess up to three ounces of marijuana, and medical marijuana treatment centers could sell marijuana for recreational use. Moody, who opposed a previous marijuana legalization measure, forwarded the proposal to the Florida Supreme Court, arguing it lacks “clear and unambiguous language.” Briefs for the case are due by July 12.
A successful ballot placement could impact voter turnout, particularly among young voters, and influence the 2024 races. Florida supported Trump in 2016 and 2020 but previously backed Obama.
While 21 states legalized recreational marijuana and 37 approved medical use, federal law still prohibits it.
