Recreational Marijuana

The order means campaigns to expand Medicaid and legalize recreational pot will largely have to operate under the new restrictions as they try to gather enough signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot.

The contributions during the first three months of 2025 went to the Smart & Safe Florida committee, which is gathering signatures to get a revised constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot.

The revamped proposal from the Smart & Safe Florida committee seeks to address issues raised by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who led a drive to defeat last year’s constitutional measure.

From back-to-back hurricanes to the twists and turns of the U.S. presidential election, there’s been a lot to keep up with in 2024.

They include the Republicans' continued dominance in the state and Gov. Ron DeSantis' influence in the outcome of the abortion and recreational marijuana amendments.

Among other measures, Florida voters rejected ballot measures that would have enshrined abortion rights, legalized recreational marijuana, and established partisan school board elections.

The Amendment 3 measure earned 56 percent of the vote, short of the required 60 percent threshold. It was a major victory for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who opposed the proposal.

Critics of a recreational marijuana amendment on this year’s ballot in Florida are warning it will lead to more car crashes and traffic deaths on the state’s roads.

Each proposal needs a 60% supermajority to be approved and each has sparked intense statewide campaigns.

This election Florida voters will decide whether marijuana should be available to millions more, allowing anyone age 21 or older to get and use marijuana without a prescription.

The Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics cites an increase in cases of emergency care among children since medical marijuana was approved in the state in 2016.

Ron DeSantis held a rally in Naples on Tuesday, October 29, campaigning against amendments 3 and 4. His comments on Amendment 3, the legalization of recreational marijuana, call into question the honesty with which he is representing the amendment to his supporters.