Florida voters will decide the fate of adult-use marijuana in the upcoming general election on November 5th, 2024. Amendment 3, titled the “Marijuana Legalization Initiative,” seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.
If passed, Amendment 3 would allow adults to possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower and five grams of concentrates. The initiative would also authorize existing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana. Notably, the amendment gives the state legislature the option, but not the requirement, to license additional businesses for marijuana cultivation and sales.
Read: Black Florida Farmers Could Get Marijuana Licenses
This is Florida’s fifth attempt to legalize recreational marijuana through a ballot initiative. The initiative, sponsored by Smart & Safe Florida, garnered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot in June 2024, exceeding the required threshold with over 1 million signatures.
The initiative faces opposition from Governor Ron DeSantis, who has called it “radical” and expressed concerns about protecting public safety. The Florida Republican Party also opposes the measure.
Proponents, on the other hand, highlight the potential for increased tax revenue and the regulation of an already existing market. They point to Florida’s successful medical marijuana program, which voters approved in 2016 by a wide margin.
Read: The Alarming Link Between Teen Marijuana Use And Psychosis
Florida law requires a 60% supermajority vote for constitutional amendments to pass. This high threshold makes the outcome of the initiative uncertain.
The upcoming months will likely see a heated debate over the merits of legalizing marijuana in Florida. With both sides gearing up for campaigns, Amendment 3 is poised to be a major issue in the November election.
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