What Florida’s marijuana amendment does

Amendment 3 legalizes recreational marijuana in Florida. It allows those 21 and older to have up to 3 ounces and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.

Proposed amendments need no less than 60% approval statewide to be added to the Florida Constitution

Smart & Safe Florida, the group leading the campaign for the amendment, has raised to date more than $90 million. Some of that was spent on gathering enough signatures for the measure to make the ballot. The vast majority raised – $85 million – came from Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana operator. Other state medical marijuana companies have chipped in as well.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and other top conservatives in the state, though, oppose the measure. DeSantis said it could lead to prolific pot smells and accuses it of being written so broadly that it would limit how the state could regulate the industry.

That’s something Smart & Safe Florida denies, saying the Florida Constitution, the proposed amendment and Florida Supreme Court precedent make clear that the state could enact recreational marijuana regulations, including ones limiting use in public places.

Floridians approved medical marijuana in 2016, getting more than 71% of the vote, though it failed to get enough votes when it first made the ballot in 2014. A recent poll shows the measure clearing the 60% threshold.

Amendment 3 – Recreational Marijuana at a glance

• Added by: Initiative process
• Voting yes: Anyone 21 years old and older would be able to use and possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana with not more than 5 grams in a concentrated form (with assorted restrictions). Pot could be sold through marijuana dispensaries without the need for a medical marijuana card. The specifics of much of this would be subject to laws created by the Florida Legislature and legal challenges that may follow.
• Voting no: Recreational marijuana would stay illegal.