Florida votes against recreational marijuana

Florida’s attempt to legalize recreational marijuana has been defeated, NBC News projects. Amendment 3, which aimed to permit the recreational use and production of marijuana, fell short of the 60% voter approval required to amend the state constitution. Despite broad support from groups like the Florida Democratic Party and even former President Donald Trump, the measure did not pass.

Currently, Florida law allows marijuana use only for medical purposes, provided it is prescribed by a doctor for conditions like glaucoma, cancer, and epilepsy. In 2016, voters successfully expanded the criteria for medical use, but recreational use will remain illegal for now.

Governor Ron DeSantis, who openly opposed Amendment 3, sees the outcome as a victory. Throughout his campaign, the Republican governor spoke against the measure, warning of the potential for increased public disturbances. During a May appearance on Fox News with conservative host Sean Hannity, DeSantis argued that legalization would lead to undesirable effects across the state. “It would be everywhere. The state would smell like it. We don’t need that in Florida,” he said, also urging voters to oppose Amendment 4, which would establish reproductive health protections in Florida’s Constitution.

Former President Trump took a different stance, publicly backing Amendment 3 in September, though he emphasized the importance of “smart regulations” for the industry. “As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November,” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.