The state Supreme Court approved a constitutional amendment for recreational marijuana on the state’s November 2024 ballot.
The proposal, known as Amendment 3, will legalize the “non-medical personal use of marijuana products and marijuana accessories by an adult” 21 years of age or older if approved by 60% or more of statewide voters. It would become effective six months after the election.
In 2021, the court rejected two proposed constitutional amendments for recreational marijuana. But this time, five justices ruled in favor of the measure, with only two against.
The amendment was the subject of a multi-million dollar campaign, led by Smart & Safe Florida, a group that has raised over $40,000,000 in recent years for this purpose. Two dozen states have already legalized recreational marijuana.
Florida’s amendment would allow possession of non-medical marijuana up to 3 ounces, with no more than 5 grams in concentrated form. To get a measure on the Florida ballot, supporters must first obtain 891,523 resident signatures. Then, the Supreme Court must decide whether the amendment’s language adheres to a single subject and is not misleading, which can be a difficult threshold to overcome.
But, for most justices, it met that requirement. “In light of those limited considerations, we approve the proposed amendment for inclusion on the ballot,” said Justice Jamie Grosshans, appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis, in the majority opinion.
The state Supreme Court also effectively upheld a six-week abortion ban on Monday, but also approved a ballot measure that would guarantee abortion access, further increasing the importance of an already crucial presidential election.
