Recreational Cannabis Rejected in Florida After Missing 60% Threshold
In the November 5, 2024, general election, Florida voters considered Amendment 3, a high-profile ballot initiative that would have legalized recreational cannabis for adults across the state. Although the proposal secured majority support, it failed to meet the state’s constitutional threshold for passage, leaving recreational marijuana use illegal in Florida and setting the stage for continued political and legal battles over cannabis policy.
The measure, officially titled “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana,” sought to amend the Florida Constitution to allow adults 21 and older to possess, purchase, and use marijuana products for non-medical personal use. Under the proposed changes, licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and other state-licensed entities would have been permitted to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis to adult consumers.
Majority Support, But Not Enough to Pass
Despite drawing considerable attention and support, Amendment 3 fell short of the required 60 percent supermajority necessary for constitutional amendments under Florida law. With nearly 56 percent of voters casting ballots in favor, the initiative was defeated—even though a clear majority supported legalization.
Supporters of the measure, including the advocacy group Smart & Safe Florida, framed the initiative as a way to regulate and tax the cannabis market, reduce illegal sales, and align state policy with shifting public opinion. Many proponents also argued that legalization could help reduce criminal justice burdens associated with low-level marijuana offenses and generate significant tax revenue for the state.
However, persistent opposition from powerful state figures and organizations played a key role in the initiative’s defeat. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other Republican leaders actively campaigned against Amendment 3, arguing that legalization could lead to increased drug use among youth, public safety risks, and negative impacts on communities. The governor and allied political committees invested substantial resources in messaging to sway voters.
Financial and Political Backdrop
The campaign to pass Amendment 3 was one of the most expensive cannabis legalization efforts in American history, with sponsors raising more than $150 million to support the measure. A significant share of that funding came from Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana operator, which invested heavily in the ballot initiative with hopes of expanding its market into adult recreational sales.
Despite this financial backing and favorable polling showing majority support months before the election, the measure’s failure highlighted the challenges of meeting Florida’s high constitutional requirement—a hurdle that has historically blocked other statewide initiatives, even when they have broad popular support.
Aftermath and Future Prospects
With the failure of Amendment 3, recreational cannabis remains illegal in Florida, although medical marijuana continues to be permitted under state law. The defeat has not dampened efforts among advocates to pursue legalization through the ballot initiative process again; organizers behind the 2024 campaign have already begun preparations to bring a revised measure to voters in the 2026 election cycle.
In the months following the 2024 election, pro-legalization groups have collected signatures and faced legal disputes with state officials over procedural requirements, reflecting ongoing tension between reform advocates and state leadership. The outcome of these efforts will shape the future of cannabis policy in Florida and could yield another opportunity for voters to consider legalization in a couple of years.
Conclusion
Florida’s 2024 attempt to legalize recreational cannabis revealed both significant public support and substantial political resistance. While a majority of voters favored the measure, the strict supermajority requirement ensured its defeat, keeping adult-use cannabis illegal for now. With continued advocacy and new campaigns in motion, the issue is far from settled in the Sunshine State.