TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida voters Tuesday rejected an amendment to the State Constitution that would have allowed adults 21 and older to use and possess marijuana for non-medical purposes, according to NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ.
A majority of Floridians voted for its approval, 55.8% as of Tuesday night, but it did not reach the necessary 60% threshold needed to become law.
Smart & Safe Florida, the group advocating for the passage of the amendment, issued the following statement following Tuesday’s results:
“While the results of Amendment 3 did not clear the 60 percent threshold, we are eager to work with the governor and legislative leaders who agree with us on decriminalizing recreational marijuana for adults, addressing public consumption, continuing our focus on child safety, and expanding access to safe marijuana through home grow”
Smart & Safe Florida
The “No on 3” campaign issued the following statement on social media:
“Even after spending over $150 million – the most in any drug legalization effort in American history – the people of Florida saw through Amendment 3’s web of deception and defeated this corporate power grab,”
No on 3
Amendment 3 was added to the ballot via a citizen ballot initiative, which amassed over one million verified signatures.
Proponents of the measure pointed at the two dozen U.S. states that have already legalized marijuana for adult use, arguing that Floridians should also have the freedom to partake if they choose. The “Yes on 3” campaign argued the amendment would cut down on crime by competing against the black market, bring jobs to Florida by expanding upon the state’s marijuana cultivation industry, and would expand tax revenue.
The latter position appeared to be supported by the state review board tasked with drafting a financial impact statement for the measure, which reads in part: “Based on other states’ experiences, expected retail sales of non-medical marijuana would generate at least $195.6 million annually in state and local sales tax revenues once the retail market is fully operational.”
Opponents of the measure included many Republicans – including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis – and law enforcement officials who claimed that legalizing cannabis would increase crime and “stoned” driving incidents, and the smell would be a public nuisance. Other opponents argued the amendment should not be passed because it would not allow residents to cultivate their own cannabis plants, instead creating a “corporate cartel” that would control production in the state.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, representing the state, argued against the measure before the Florida Supreme Court, claiming that the ballot summary was misleading and should be rejected. Justices instead rejected her office’s arguments, clearing the way for the amendment to appear on the ballot.
Its ballot summary reads: “Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, injection, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.”
The amendment allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana for personal use. The effective date would be six months after its approval by voters.
All Florida ballot amendments require 60% of the vote in order to pass.
