The Florida Supreme Court has made a landmark decision, ruling in favor of including an initiative to legalize the recreational use of marijuana on the state's November ballot.
If passed, this amendment would grant individuals 21 years or older the right to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and accessories for non-medical personal consumption.
It would also allow medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed entities to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products.
However, the amendment faces opposition from many Republicans, including the state attorney general's office, and will require a 60% voter approval to pass.
In a statement, Justice Jamie R. Grosshans emphasized the court's role in ensuring the amendment meets constitutional and clarity standards. Notably, cannabis is already legal in various forms in over 40 states.
Smart & Safe Florida, a sponsor of the initiative, expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, "We are pleased that the Court agreed that the ballot language was clear and correctly ruled in favor of allowing voters the chance to vote on this important initiative."
Despite the ruling, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office and a spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis did not immediately provide comments on the matter.
The state attorney general's office had previously opposed the ballot measure, claiming it was misleading.
The decision to include the initiative on the ballot coincided with the Florida Supreme Court's ruling to uphold a 15-week abortion ban, effectively enforcing a six-week abortion ban signed into law by DeSantis. Additionally, the court permitted a proposed amendment that would protect abortion rights in the state constitution to appear on the ballot.
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign criticized Florida's abortion ban, suggesting that abortion rights would be a focal point in the state's November elections, potentially impacting its political landscape.