Florida Supreme Court approves legalization ballot initiative!

Today, in a 5-2 ruling, the Florida State Supreme Court has allowed the legalization ballot initiative to appear on the November 2024 ballot. The initiative, which needs 60% of votes, is being spearheaded by Smart and Safe Florida.

If approved, it will amend the state constitution and:

• allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower, five grams of concentrate, and cannabis paraphernalia; 
• allow current medical dispensaries to sell to adult-use customers;
• goes into effect six months after approval; and
• allow the legislature to add more licenses for cultivation and to otherwise pass additional legislation that affects the adult-use market.

The initiative does not include expungement or home grow, which most likely would have caused it to be rejected by the Supreme Court based upon the “single-subject” rule. However, it is the best opportunity to end cannabis prohibition in the Sunshine State.

Though Florida does not report arrest data to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program, the ACLU, working with the Miami Times, found that over 42,000 Floridians were arrested for misdemeanor (under 20 grams) possession in 2017. Over 50% of those arrested were Black individuals, even though they make up only 17% of the population. Under current law, a person can spend up to a year in prison and be fined up to $1,000 for misdemeanor possession of cannabis. Even without jail time, a criminal record can serve as an economic life sentence, making it hard to get employment and housing.

Cannabis policy in the Sunshine State is now in the hands of you, the Florida voter, to decide in November. You can register to vote here.