When Florida voters voted in the election 2024 electionthey have the ability to decide whether the state will legalize recreational marijuana. They can express their position by voting “yes” or “no” on Amendment 3, which seeks to amend the Florida Constitution.
Here’s what you need to know about the ballot measure, which is one of six amendments Florida voters are looking ahead to this election.
What is Amendment 3?
Amendment 3 allows adults 21 or older to possess, purchase, and consume marijuana for personal, non-medical purposes. It sets limits on the amount individuals can legally transport – up to 85 grams of marijuana or 5 grams of marijuana concentrate.
It would also allow existing medical marijuana dispensaries to sell marijuana to recreational users. State-licensed companies could be allowed to grow, process and distribute the product.
A “yes” vote on the amendment supports legalizing recreational marijuana for those 21 and older, while a “no” vote favors maintaining the system that makes marijuana available only for recreational purposes. medical.
The amendment must obtain at least 60% of the votes to be adopted. If so, Florida will join 24 other states in approving recreational marijuana use. However, recreational marijuana use would remain illegal at the federal level, which could create legal complexities.
If the measure passes, only medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed facilities would be allowed — initially — to sell recreational marijuana. Eventually, new legislation could allow licensing to other companies.
Polls on Amendment 3
A CBS News/YouGov investigation in May, it was found that 56% of likely voters would vote “yes” on Amendment 3, while 30% would vote “no.” Fourteen percent remained undecided.
More recently, in August, a Florida Atlantic University (FAU) poll also showed that 56% of all voters supported legalizing marijuana, with the greatest support coming from voters aged 18 to 49.
Who supports and opposes Amendment 3?
Supporters of Amendment 3 argue that legalizing marijuana will reduce the black market and ensure that marijuana products sold are safe and regulated. They also suggest that decriminalizing marijuana could free up law enforcement resources and reduce nonviolent drug offenses.
Supporters also argue that the marijuana industry is “sustainable and growing” and would save taxpayers’ money by not having to pay to prosecute possession crimes.
Although some Republicans are opposed to the measure, former President Donald Trump, who resides in Florida, has said he would support Amendment 3 on the ballot.
Opponents, meanwhile, say legalizing marijuana could lead to an increase in unregulated drug use, making roads less safe and negatively impacting young people. Some also believe that crime rates could increase due to greater availability of marijuana.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, opposes the amendment, as does the Republican senator. Rick Scottwho said he opposed Amendment 3 because of his brother’s long history of addiction. He said his brother Roger Scott, who died in April, began smoking marijuana as a teenager and struggled with drug addiction for the rest of his life.
Former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala wrote in a Miami Herald opinion piece in September that the amendment would create a “new for-profit drug addiction industry” in Florida. She drew parallels with the actions taken by the tobacco industry.
