Florida just stumbled hard on its latest play for legal weed. Amendment 3, the measure that could’ve greenlit recreational cannabis for adults 21 and up, got kicked in the teeth. It hit 56% of the vote—close but not close enough. In Florida, you need 60% to cross the finish line, and this one fell short.
The push for Amendment 3 had big bucks behind it, with over $150 million pumped in, most of it courtesy of Trulieve. But money doesn’t always talk loud enough, especially when Governor Ron DeSantis is stomping around, rallying against it like it’s a personal vendetta. The state rolled out anti-marijuana ads that screamed public menace louder than logic. If it sounds familiar, it should—Florida voters went through the same song and dance in 2014 when a medical marijuana measure flopped. It wasn’t until 2016 that the state finally cracked the door open for medical use, thanks to relentless advocates like John Morgan.
This latest blow has a bitter taste. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the signal it sends. The game isn’t just harder—it’s rigged tighter now. DeSantis’ election security office has been sniffing around the petition process, hinting that it’s about to get even tougher and more expensive for anyone trying to push a measure onto the ballot. They haven’t spilled the details, but you don’t need a crystal ball to see where this is heading.
The big question: Is there a path to federal legalization now? Trump, Florida’s own high-profile voter, tossed a curveball when he said he’d vote yes on Amendment 3, claiming it’s time to stop jailing people over a little personal use. But before anyone pops the cork on that news, remember—talk is cheap, especially when it’s campaign season chatter. There’s no indication he’d touch federal legalization with a ten-foot pole. So, we’re back to the state-level grind.
And what does that mean for Florida? For now, nothing changes. Medical marijuana stays as the gatekeeper, and it’s a pricey one. Patients still need to shell out $75 for a card, plus whatever the doctor decides to charge for that golden approval. DeSantis argues that if you really want weed in Florida, “you can get it already.” Easy to say when you’re not the one jumping through bureaucratic hoops or scraping cash together just to not break the law.
This isn’t the end for recreational weed in Florida. If we’ve learned anything, it’s that the fight’s far from over. But next time, the stakes will be higher, the game harder, and the opposition louder. The dream is bruised, but it’s not dead. Not yet.
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