Florida’s Recreational Marijuana Amendment Fails Amid Heated Campaign and High Stakes
11/08/2024
Amendment 3, the highly anticipated ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana for adults in Florida, failed to pass on Tuesday, following a costly and contentious campaign. The amendment would have allowed adults aged 21 and older to possess up to three ounces of marijuana or five grams in concentrated form. Instead, the battle over its approval turned into the nation’s most expensive ballot measure campaign, with both sides fervently weighing in on Florida’s potential future with recreational cannabis.
The amendment’s primary supporter, medical marijuana giant Trulieve, invested heavily in the push for legalization. Trulieve contributed the bulk of the $150 million that flowed into the pro-legalization campaign, Smart & Safe Florida. Despite this massive financial effort, the pro-amendment campaign ultimately fell short. In a statement Tuesday night, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said the company was “proud to have fought the fight,” adding that they are now looking to the Legislature to explore safe access options and decriminalization efforts.
Opposition to the amendment was equally well-organized and outspoken. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, which typically opposes constitutional amendments, celebrated the defeat, asserting that it joined forces with Governor Ron DeSantis and law enforcement to “keep drugs out of the Florida Constitution” and protect the state’s conservative values.
Curaleaf, another major medical marijuana player in Florida, expressed disappointment at the measure’s failure. Chairman Boris Jordan highlighted the missed opportunity to expand legal, regulated cannabis access, yet remained optimistic about the future. Curaleaf, which has over 60 dispensaries in Florida, had prepared for the measure’s potential approval by investing heavily in infrastructure to meet demand, with plans for expansion that will continue regardless.
Governor Ron DeSantis was vocal in his opposition, reportedly directing state resources towards anti-Amendment 3 advertising. The state spent an estimated $50 million on anti-marijuana ads since September, accompanied by numerous press conferences held by the governor to dissuade voters from supporting the measure.
The high-stakes campaign was partly a product of Florida’s elevated approval threshold for constitutional amendments, requiring a 60% majority rather than a simple majority. Approved by voters in 2006, this rule has complicated the path for ballot initiatives ever since.
While advocates for recreational marijuana in Florida saw a setback, many vowed to continue their efforts to bring safe, regulated cannabis access to adults statewide. For now, the future of recreational cannabis in Florida remains uncertain as both sides regroup for the next phase in the ongoing debate.
Reference
The amendment’s primary supporter, medical marijuana giant Trulieve, invested heavily in the push for legalization. Trulieve contributed the bulk of the $150 million that flowed into the pro-legalization campaign, Smart & Safe Florida. Despite this massive financial effort, the pro-amendment campaign ultimately fell short. In a statement Tuesday night, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said the company was “proud to have fought the fight,” adding that they are now looking to the Legislature to explore safe access options and decriminalization efforts.
Opposition to the amendment was equally well-organized and outspoken. The Florida Chamber of Commerce, which typically opposes constitutional amendments, celebrated the defeat, asserting that it joined forces with Governor Ron DeSantis and law enforcement to “keep drugs out of the Florida Constitution” and protect the state’s conservative values.
Curaleaf, another major medical marijuana player in Florida, expressed disappointment at the measure’s failure. Chairman Boris Jordan highlighted the missed opportunity to expand legal, regulated cannabis access, yet remained optimistic about the future. Curaleaf, which has over 60 dispensaries in Florida, had prepared for the measure’s potential approval by investing heavily in infrastructure to meet demand, with plans for expansion that will continue regardless.
Governor Ron DeSantis was vocal in his opposition, reportedly directing state resources towards anti-Amendment 3 advertising. The state spent an estimated $50 million on anti-marijuana ads since September, accompanied by numerous press conferences held by the governor to dissuade voters from supporting the measure.
The high-stakes campaign was partly a product of Florida’s elevated approval threshold for constitutional amendments, requiring a 60% majority rather than a simple majority. Approved by voters in 2006, this rule has complicated the path for ballot initiatives ever since.
While advocates for recreational marijuana in Florida saw a setback, many vowed to continue their efforts to bring safe, regulated cannabis access to adults statewide. For now, the future of recreational cannabis in Florida remains uncertain as both sides regroup for the next phase in the ongoing debate.
Reference
