Recreational Marijuana Petition Successful:
“A University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll found 70% of respondents “strongly” or “somewhat” support the amendment.
The measure does not establish a framework for what a legal market would look like.
Florida legalized the sale of medical marijuana in 2016 and it has become a billion-dollar business. Legal sales were $1.04 billion from January 2022 through July 2022, according to data from research firm Headset.
“Florida currently has one of the strongest medical cannabis programs in America and if that market is expanded to allow adult use for personal consumption we believe that market will be even stronger,” said Lauren Niehaus, executive director of government relations at Trulieve.
The company, which operates more than 180 medical dispensaries in the state, has donated $30 million to Smart & Safe Florida, the committee sponsoring the amendment.
“Trulieve anticipates, at maturity, that Florida could potentially become a $6 billion cannabis marketplace,” Niehaus said. ” CNBC
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“Backers of a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow the recreational use of marijuana have surpassed the required number of petition signatures to place the initiative on the 2024 ballot, according to the state Division of Elections.
The agency’s website Thursday showed that the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is sponsoring the measure, had submitted more than 967,000 valid signatures for the initiative. Committees have to submit 891,523 valid signatures for placement on the ballot.
While the proposal has topped the signature threshold, it still must clear another major hurdle — Florida Supreme Court approval. The court reviews ballot initiatives to ensure they address single subjects and are not confusing to voters.
Justices in 2021 twice rejected recreational marijuana proposals, but backers of the current measure said they relied on guidance from the court’s rulings when crafting the “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana” initiative.
Attorney General Ashley Moody, who last month sent the proposal to the court for review, signaled she will argue the measure doesn’t meet legal requirements to go before voters.
The court asked the proposal’s opponents to submit briefs by June 12 and gave supporters until July 5 to respond. Final briefs are due July 12. Oral arguments have not been scheduled.
Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana operator, has contributed more than $38 million to the recreational marijuana effort.
“Our investment demonstrates our firm belief that Floridians are ready to experience the freedom to use cannabis for personal consumption; a freedom which is currently enjoyed by more than half of America’s adults,” Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said in a statement Thursday. “With over 965,000 validated signatures from nearly every part of our state, it is clear these voters share that belief. We are thrilled the campaign has made this milestone and look forward to seeing this initiative on the ballot next November.”
The proposed constitutional amendment must receive approval from 60% of voters to pass.” Tampa Bay Times
