Florida Supreme Court to review appeal on marijuana legalization ballot measure – Caribbean National Weekly
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The push to legalize marijuana in Florida isn’t over yet, as the state Supreme Court considers an appeal from the Smart & Safe Florida campaign challenging the invalidation of roughly 71,000 petition signatures. If the justices accept the case and rule in the campaign’s favor, Florida voters could see the measure on the November ballot.
Smart & Safe Florida argues that the invalidated petitions should count toward the number required for ballot placement. The dispute stems from earlier rulings that struck signatures collected from “inactive” voters and out-of-state petitioners, as well as petitions missing the full text of the initiative. The campaign maintains it submitted more than 1.4 million signatures—well above the 880,062 needed to qualify.
The initiative, a revised version of a 2024 measure that failed to meet the 60 percent threshold for constitutional amendments, includes new provisions aimed at addressing critics’ concerns. For example, it prohibits smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and requires the legislature to regulate the time, place, and manner of public consumption.
Opponents, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce, have argued the measure is unconstitutional and accused out-of-state interests of trying to exploit Florida’s citizen initiative process. The campaign also faces ongoing scrutiny, with the attorney general opening criminal investigations into alleged petitioning fraud.
Despite these challenges, Smart & Safe Florida has expressed optimism, citing changes that respond to prior criticism and continued support from cannabis industry stakeholders. The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to hear the appeal could determine if the legalization measure goes before voters in 2026.
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