Judge’s gavel with marijuana leaf next to it – Photo: TANYARICO/Shutterstock.com
According to NBC News, a ballot-box attempt to legalize marijuana usage for recreational purposes in Florida has failed.
Amendment 3, which would have legalized marijuana manufacturing and recreational use in the state, did not receive the 60 percent of voters required to pass a state constitutional amendment, despite supporters ranging from former President Donald Trump to the Florida Democratic Party.
Currently, state law permits the use of marijuana for medical purposes if a physician determines that it is required when treating conditions including epilepsy, cancer, and glaucoma. Voters in Florida successfully passed a statewide ballot in 2016 to expand eligibility for medical usage.
However, Florida will continue to prohibit the drug’s recreational usage for the foreseeable future.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a strong opponent of the amendment, is pleased that it was repealed. The Republican governor cautioned voters against passing the proposal in discussions with the media and at press conferences.
For instance, DeSantis warned voters against endorsing Amendment 3 during a May visit on Fox News with well-known conservative media personality Sean Hannity, stating that he believed legalization would have a high potential for public nuisance.
“It would be all over. It would smell like the state. In addition to calling on voters to defeat Amendment 4, which would codify Roe-era reproductive health rights in the Florida Constitution, DeSantis stated, “We don’t need that in Florida.”
For his part, Trump publicly endorsed the proposal in spite of DeSantis’ vehement opposition.
Trump, a voter from Florida, indicated his support in September, but he included a disclaimer that the new sector needed “smart regulations.”
On his social media platform Truth Social, the former president stated, “As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.”
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Chris began his writing as a hobby while attending Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. Today he and his wife live in the Orlando area with their three children and dog.
