Nearly seven in ten Florida registered voters support a marijuana-legalization initiative. This measure may be on the ballot next year, depending on the result of a legal case. Majorities from every demographic were in favor of this reform.
The University of North Florida poll released on Thursday shows that 67 per cent of voters support the legalization proposal. This would be enough to reach the steep 60 per cent voting threshold required by the state to pass ballot measures.
The survey found that the majority of respondents supported the issue, regardless of their political affiliation, race, gender or age.
Democrats showed the greatest support, with 78 percent. This was followed by Republicans (55%) and non-partisans/others (69%).
The reform was overwhelmingly supported by young people aged 18-24, who accounted for 86 percent. Even those 65+ years old backed the legalization.
In a press statement, Michael Binder said that unlike previous surveys where we asked respondents if they supported or opposed legalization of recreational cannabis, this time, we provided specifics about the proposed amendment. “Yet another, it appears that it has a high chance of passing if the measure is successful in the courts. That’s a big if. ‘”
The survey included interviews with 716 Florida registered voters between November 6 and 26. There was a margin error of +/-4.37 percent points. A survey conducted by UNF in which voters were asked about cannabis legalization, but without mentioning the ballot initiative specifically, showed that 70% of respondents supported the reform.
The Legalization Initiative from the Smart & Safe Florida Campaign is being challenged by state Attorney General Ashley Moody at the Florida Supreme Court. Oral arguments were held in this case earlier in the month.
The official claims that the ballot question is misleading because voters will not understand the summary, which states that marijuana remains illegal at the federal level even if Florida legalizes.
The campaign and its supporters maintain that the court should respect the intent behind the citizen initiative process, and allow voters to decide the issue after they have submitted nearly one million signatures that have been verified by the state.
Moody used the same argument against a legalization measure for 2022, and subsequently, the Supreme Court invalidated the measure.
To be placed on the ballot in a state, an initiative needs valid signatures of registered voters that total at least 8 percent of district-wide votes in the last presidential election. This is in addition to the number of signatures needed statewide. According to recently updated data, the marijuana campaign met the threshold for 14 districts.
Trulieve has contributed over $39 million to the Smart & Safe Florida Campaign to date. In oral arguments, Moody accused Trulieve of backing the measure to gain a monopolistic stranglehold on the cannabis market in Florida.
The measure, if approved, would amend the state Constitution so that existing medical cannabis companies like Trulieve in the state could begin selling marijuana for all adults older than 21. The measure contains a clause that allows, but does not force, lawmakers to move forward with the approval of new businesses. The proposal would prohibit home cultivation by consumers.
Adults aged 21 or older could purchase and possess cannabis up to an ounce, of which only five grams would be marijuana concentrate products. The three-page document also excludes equity provisions that are favored by supporters, such as expungements and other reliefs for people who have prior cannabis convictions.
Separately economists from the Florida Legislature and the Governor’s office have also been consulted. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, estimates that the marijuana legalization measure would produce between $195.6 and $431.3 millions of new sales tax revenue each year if it is passed by voters. These figures could rise if lawmakers decide to impose a similar excise tax to those in other legalized states on cannabis transactions.
What would the Smart & Safe Florida initiative for marijuana legalization accomplish?
- Adults aged 21 or older can purchase and possess three ounces (90 grams) of cannabis for their personal use. Cannabis concentrates are limited to five grams.
- Medical cannabis dispensaries can “acquire and cultivate marijuana, process it, manufacture marijuana products, and distribute marijuana accessories for adult personal use.”
- The Legislature would have the authority, but not be required to approve any additional entities not licensed as cannabis dispensaries.
- The initiative states that the proposal does not prevent the legislature from “enacting legislation that is consistent with this Amendment.”
- The amendment clarifies further that nothing in the proposal “changes federal laws,” which appears to be an attempt to avoid previous legal challenges regarding misleading ballot language.
- No provisions are made for home cultivation, the expungement or social equity of previous records.
- Six months after the vote, the measure will come into effect.
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This is the full text for the title and summary of the ballot:
The law allows adults over 21 to purchase or use marijuana products or marijuana accessories, whether for personal non-medical consumption, such as smoking, ingestion or other methods. It also permits Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and other state licensed entities to cultivate, process and manufacture these products and accessories. Florida law only; federal law is not changed or impervious to violations. Limits personal possession. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date.”
A separate campaign is collecting signatures to support a new initiative that will give adults the option of growing medical marijuana at home, which would not have been available under Smart & Safe Florida’s legalization measure. In August, signature gathering for the home-grow initiative began. Petitions were available online and in certain dispensaries.
DeSantis is a GOP presidential candidate for 2024 who recently said that if elected, would not decriminalize marijuana on a federal level.
DeSantis has signed a bill which went into effect this summer. added restrictions on medical marijuana advertising and manufacture. This includes prohibiting products or messages which promote “recreational cannabis use” while also adding stricter eligibility requirements for industry workers.
In July , he signed legislation prohibiting the sale of any consumable products — including cannabis “chewing-gum” — to people under 21. This was an extension of the existing ban on young people having access to smokable weed.
In June, the Governor approved a bill that explicitly prohibited sober living homes from allowing their residents to possess or to use medical marijuana. This is true even if a patient has been certified by a physician to use cannabis legally therapeutically according to state law. Other pharmaceuticals prescribed by doctors may still be allowed.
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Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Majorities of Florida voters support marijuana legalization ballot initiative, with majorities in every demographic appeared on Marijuana Moment.
