Florida Voters Reject Amendment 3, Halting Recreational Marijuana Legalization Effort
Florida voters rejected Amendment 3 during the November 2024 general election, dealing a significant blow to efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. While a majority of voters supported the measure, it failed to reach the constitutionally required 60 percent threshold, leaving adult-use cannabis illegal under Florida law.
Florida Amendment 3 (2024) sought to legalize the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana for adults aged 21 and older. The proposal would have allowed individuals to possess up to three ounces of cannabis and authorized licensed medical marijuana treatment centers to sell products for recreational use. Despite receiving roughly 56 percent approval statewide, the amendment ultimately fell short of the supermajority required to amend Florida’s constitution.
The defeat underscores one of the central hurdles facing ballot initiatives in Florida: the high approval bar adopted by voters in 2006, which requires constitutional amendments to pass with at least 60 percent support. That threshold has repeatedly proven difficult for cannabis-related measures, even as public opinion has steadily shifted toward legalization nationwide.
Supporters of Amendment 3 mounted one of the most expensive ballot campaigns in state history. The effort was led by Smart & Safe Florida, a political action committee backed by major medical marijuana operators already licensed in the state. Proponents argued that legalization would create a regulated marketplace, reduce arrests for low-level marijuana offenses, and generate significant tax revenue that could support public services.
Advocates also emphasized that Florida already has a large and well-established medical marijuana system, suggesting that expanding access to adults would be a logical next step. More than 800,000 Floridians are currently registered medical marijuana patients, making Florida one of the largest medical cannabis markets in the country.
Opposition to Amendment 3, however, was vocal and well-organized. Ron DeSantis emerged as one of the amendment’s most prominent critics, arguing that the proposal was overly broad and would primarily benefit large corporate cannabis operators. State leaders opposing the measure also raised concerns about public safety, impaired driving, and the potential normalization of marijuana use.
Critics further argued that the amendment would have locked specific regulatory advantages into the state constitution, limiting the legislature’s ability to make future changes. That argument resonated with some voters who otherwise support marijuana reform but expressed discomfort with constitutional language governing commercial markets.
The outcome places Florida in a unique position nationally. While many states have legalized recreational marijuana through either legislative action or voter initiatives, Florida remains among the largest states without an adult-use cannabis program. The result also highlights the difference between majority support and constitutional approval, a distinction that continues to shape policy outcomes in the state.
In the aftermath of the vote, cannabis reform advocates acknowledged the disappointment but pointed to the strong majority support as evidence that legalization remains within reach. Some supporters have suggested returning to voters with revised language in a future election, while others are calling for incremental reforms through the legislature.
For now, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Florida, and enforcement laws remain unchanged. Medical marijuana, however, continues to expand, ensuring that cannabis policy will remain a central and closely watched issue in Florida’s political landscape.