Crews of Cannabis supporters collected the required valid signatures to qualify a marijuana legalization initiative for the 2024 ballot. Despite a legal challenge from the state attorney general, the Florida Division of Elections confirmed on Thursday that 967,528 verified signatures were collected by the end of May, exceeding the required 891,523 signature threshold.
The measure cleared the initial major hurdle at the end of January, getting enough signatures to initiate a state Supreme Court review of the measure's language. That analysis is still pending, simultaneous to the court considering Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's (R) legal challenge against the initiative.
While Moody argues that it violates the state Constitution's single-subject rule for ballot measures, activists insist that the measure complies with constitutional requirements. Despite the previous invalidation of a 2022 legalization measure by the Supreme Court, campaigners maintain that they vetted the measure and are confident that the court will agree that it satisfies all constitutional requirements.
However, to get on the ballot, an initiative must have valid signatures from registered voters totaling at least 8 percent of the district-wide vote in the most recent presidential election in at least 14 of the state's 28 congressional districts - in addition to the statewide number. According to the most recent state data, the marijuana campaign has met the threshold in exactly 14 districts. The cannabis company Trulieve has invested over $38 million in financially backing the Smart & Safe Florida campaign.
In summary, Florida activists have successfully gathered the necessary signatures for a marijuana legalization initiative on the 2024 ballot despite ongoing legal challenges. The Smart & Safe Florida campaign has proven to be a strong force and met the threshold in 14 districts.
In a recent press release, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers stated that she firmly believes that Floridians are ready to experience the freedom to use cannabis for personal consumption - a freedom that more than half of America's adults enjoy. With over 965,000 validated signatures from nearly every part of the state, it's clear that these voters share that belief. Rivers added, "We are thrilled the campaign has made this milestone and look forward to seeing this initiative on the ballot next November."
The "Smart & Safe Florida" initiative allows existing medical cannabis companies to start selling marijuana to all adults over 21 if approved. This measure would change the state's constitution and contains a provision allowing lawmakers to take steps toward supporting additional businesses.
However, one caveat is that no home cultivation provisions, prior records expungement, or social equity exist.
Adults 21 and older can purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis, only five grams of which could be marijuana concentrate products. Medical cannabis dispensaries could "acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute marijuana products and accessories to adults for personal use."
With a cap of three ounces for personal use, the initiative specifies that nothing in the proposal would prevent the legislature from "enacting laws consistent with this amendment."
With a poll indicating that 70 percent of Florida's voters support legalizing marijuana, it is clear the initiative would prove popular and beneficial for the state. Consequently, if voters approve the measure, it will be in effect within six months of this approval.
Remember, a recommendation for the use of Cannabis, nor any 'adult use act,' is necessary to purchase or use CBGa Crumble products that are Farm Bill Compliant.
