Amendment 3, a ballot initiative aimed at the legalization of recreational marijuana for people aged 21 years and older, was convincingly rejected by Floridian voters in the November election in 2024, given that it received a strong 56%, it failed the required supermajority of 60%. This shows how conservative the state has been with regard to cannabis legalization; it also happened to be one of the largest victories for opponents in general, especially for Governor Ron DeSantis, who leads that resistance.
It would have legalized the sale and possession of as much as three ounces of marijuana, or five grams in concentrated form, for those above 21 years in Florida. If passed, the initiative would give such a right to the state’s existing medical marijuana companies for selling cannabis for recreational use, turning Florida into the 25th state that has legalized recreational marijuana. The expansion could be good for Florida’s cannabis market and could attract tourists and residents alike to create new sources of revenues.
However, critics insisted that Amendment 3 favored corporate interests over those of the consumers. Of importance, the amendment did not in any way provide for home-grown marijuana, meaning users were to buy exclusively from licensed dispensaries-a clause that has since been at the center of controversy among the populace regarding monopolistic practices within the cannabis industry.
Governor Ron DeSantis actively opposed Amendment 3, calling the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution a “corporate power grab.” DeSantis attacked Trulieve, Florida’s largest operator of medical marijuana companies that funded most of the campaign for the ‘yes’ vote, having given over $150 million to the amendment. Heavy financial backing of Trulieve, comprising about 94% of the total funds of the campaign, powered DeSantis’ claims that it would give Trulieve a virtual monopoly at the expense of consumer freedom.
Public service announcements from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles warned of the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving, while guidance from State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo urged health care providers to consider marijuana screening for patients as young as 12. And ironically, the governor also insisted that the lack of personal home-grow rights under the Amendment would keep consumers from having the liberty of making their choices; instead, they would be left at the whim of corporate interests showing up with supplies.
It was a split vote. Advocates for Amendment 3 were obviously disappointed but said they would push forward with their mission to decriminalize marijuana and provide safe access to cannabis. Smart & Safe Florida, the committee behind Amendment 3, published a statement recognizing support from the majority and claiming the organization would work with state leaders looking toward possible actions on recreational marijuana legislation in the future, including pushing home-grow rights and the decriminalization of the drug. Meanwhile, opponents-which include those behind the Vote No on 3 Campaign-celebrated the result as a defeat against corporate overreach. Jessica Spencer, director of the Vote No on 3 Campaign, said the defeat of the amendment amounts to a rejection of what she called “a corporate power grab,” and praised efforts to preserve and protect Florida’s communities and to keep the cannabis industry in the Swift state under control.
Likewise, the Florida Chamber of Commerce: “The Chief Executive Officer, Mark Wilson, labeled the amendment “bad for Florida” and praised the defeating coalition. Defeat of Amendment 3 shows how Florida is reluctant to join the trend of the Country for cannabis legalization. Although people in Florida voted in support of medical marijuana legalization in 2016 by an overwhelming majority, the recent vote has shown that the state is very skeptical about extending such privileges for recreational use. This puts Florida in a different corner, which stands in deep contrast with those states that have recently adopted recreational marijuana. This shows the regional resistance to the far-reaching legalization measures in the southeast.
