Florida’s Adult-Use Cannabis Effort Continues with Safe & Smart Petition Push
Efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis in Florida are continuing despite legal setbacks and political resistance, as the Safe & Smart Florida petition campaign works to place a recreational marijuana amendment on the 2026 general election ballot.
The initiative, backed by the political committee Smart & Safe Florida, seeks to amend the Florida Constitution to allow adults 21 and older to legally possess and purchase cannabis for non-medical use. The proposal also includes restrictions aimed at limiting youth access, prohibiting public smoking, and maintaining penalties for driving under the influence.
The renewed push follows the defeat of a similar measure in the November 2024 election. That proposal received majority voter support but failed to reach Florida’s required 60 percent supermajority for constitutional amendments. Advocates say the outcome demonstrated strong public backing and laid the groundwork for another attempt.
Signature Collection and Legal Challenges
Safe & Smart Florida organizers have reported collecting hundreds of thousands of petition signatures statewide, with the goal of surpassing the threshold required to trigger constitutional review. However, the campaign has faced significant hurdles after state election officials invalidated numerous submitted petitions due to formatting issues.
A Leon County judge ruled that many signatures did not meet updated petition requirements, including language placement rules issued by the Florida Division of Elections. Campaign leaders argued the guidance was applied retroactively and unfairly disrupted the process, though the ruling resulted in tens of thousands of signatures being thrown out.
Despite the setback, organizers maintain that enough valid signatures remain to keep the initiative viable. The campaign has continued collecting additional petitions while pursuing legal avenues to ensure the measure remains on track.
Supreme Court Review Ahead
The proposed amendment is now subject to review by the Florida Supreme Court, which will determine whether the ballot language complies with constitutional requirements. The court’s review focuses on whether the summary accurately informs voters and addresses only a single subject, a standard that has derailed previous citizen-led initiatives in the state.
Oral arguments are expected in early 2026, making the court’s decision a pivotal moment for the future of adult-use cannabis in Florida.
Political Opposition Remains Strong
Governor Ron DeSantis and other state leaders have publicly opposed recreational marijuana, citing concerns about public health, safety, and regulatory oversight. The administration has argued that existing medical marijuana access is sufficient and has expressed skepticism toward voter-driven cannabis reform.
Legalization advocates counter that adult-use cannabis could reduce marijuana-related arrests, generate significant tax revenue, and align Florida with the growing number of states that have already legalized recreational use.
What Comes Next
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Florida remains one of the largest states without legal adult-use cannabis. Supporters of the Safe & Smart initiative say they are prepared for continued legal scrutiny and political resistance, emphasizing that voter support continues to grow.
Whether Floridians will once again have the opportunity to vote on adult-use cannabis now rests with the courts and the state’s election process—setting the stage for another high-stakes chapter in Florida’s long-running marijuana reform debate.
Can Florida learn from other recreational states? Read more here.