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In 2024, 56% of Florida voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana, but the measure fell short of the 60% needed to pass a constitutional amendment. FOX 13’s Craig Patrick reports.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In 2024, 56% of Florida voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana, but the measure fell short of the 60% needed to pass a constitutional amendment.
A 2025 UNF survey shows support for recreational marijuana was 66%. Opposition from Governor Ron DeSantis, who warned the state would "start to smell like marijuana," was a major factor in the measure’s defeat in 2024.
READ: Marijuana amendment effort drops appeal as signature fight enters new phase
The backstory:
The 2024 amendment allowed people to purchase marijuana only from approved vendors and did not permit home cultivation. Opponents raised concerns about marketing to minors, while some supporters had wanted the right to grow marijuana at home.
In response, the sponsors revised the amendment to address these issues. The new version includes provisions for home-grown marijuana, bans smoking or vaping in public, and prohibits marketing to minors.
What they’re saying:
DeSantis argued in 2024: "The weed one is not just decriminalize. It’s basically a license to have it anywhere you want."
MORE: Many young adults turn to cannabis for sleep—but it may backfire
Recreational marijuana supporter Joe Gruters said, "In markets where this is legal, the home grow market complements the dispensaries themselves."
Cannabis industry attorney Paula Savchenko added, "There were some holes in the amendment that needed additional clarification of language, which has been covered here. So I think people will be more comfortable with that."
Sponsors spent much of 2025 gathering signatures to advance the amendment to state review.
They must submit more than 880,000 valid voter signatures by February 1, 2026. As of early December, they submitted more than 675,000, but around 200,000 were rejected for not including the full amendment wording.
READ: Marijuana-based drug eases chronic back pain in major study
The campaign continues to gather signatures to meet the threshold.
Why you should care:
If the amendment qualifies and is approved by the state Supreme Court, it could appear on the November 2026 ballot, potentially changing recreational marijuana laws in Florida and affecting consumers, businesses and public spaces.
What’s next:
Sponsors must submit sufficient validated petitions by February 1, 2026, and the state Supreme Court must approve the amendment wording. If both steps are completed successfully, voters will decide on the measure in November 2026.
The Source: This report is based on interviews conducted by FOX 13 Political Editor Craig Patrick, statements from supporters and industry experts, and Florida’s official constitutional amendment and petition process records.
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