What to know about Amendment 3 before the November election
Florida Voters to Decide on Recreational Marijuana Legalization with Amendment 3.
Amendment 3 seeks to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, allowing those 21 and older to have up to 3 ounces and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.
Floridians are now less than three months away from finding out whether they can puff, puff, and pass without needing a medical card.
After facing some challenges in Florida's Supreme Court earlier this year, voters will have a chance to vote for or against recreational marijuana legalization this November during the general election, otherwise known as Amendment 3.
Here's when you can vote for the amendment and what happens if it does pass.
But first — what is marijuana? Also referred to as weed, maryjane or kush
Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant, according to the National Institute of Drug Use.
The main psychoactive chemical in marijuana, responsible for most of the intoxicating effects that people seek, is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. The chemical is found in resin produced by the leaves and buds primarily of the female cannabis plant.
The plant also contains more than 500 other chemicals, including more than 100 compounds that are chemically related to THC, called cannabinoids.
Is weed legal in Florida?
Yes, but only in certain cases.
Marijuana is only legal in Florida once a person has obtained a Medical Marijuana Use Authorization, as outlined in Chapter 381 in Florida Statutes. This law also includes regulations for a user registry, caregiver possession, and treatment centers for purchasing consumable marijuana.
Medical marijuana was adopted by Florida voters back in 2016 by a vote of 71% to 29%.
Getting a medical marijuana card in Florida is a three-step process involving a diagnosis from a qualified physician for certain medical conditions, registering in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Use Registry and applying for a registry ID.
What is recreational marijuana?
Recreational marijuana, or adult-use marijuana, is for adults 21 and older to use for enjoyment rather than for health benefits. Merriam-Webster says recreational drugs are often "used without medical justification" for their effects.
Experts also say that adult-use cannabis is used to make healthier life choices, such as improving mental health, an effective substitute for alcohol, and can be used for spiritual practice, according to recent research.
According to Good Rx, medical and recreational cannabis are the two categories cannabis legalized by some U.S. states.
Is Florida going to legalize recreational marijuana?
Possibly.
Florida voters will see recreational marijuana on the ballot in Florida as an initiated constitutional amendment, known as Amendment 3, on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Amendment 3 seeks to legalize recreational marijuana, allowing those 21 and older to have up to 3 ounces and up to 5 grams of cannabis concentrate.
It still needs to receive a supermajority or 60% of the vote. Early voting for the 2024 general election begins Monday, Oct. 21.
How soon could recreational marijuana become legal if Amendment 3 passes?
Even if the amendment wins at the polls in November, marijuana won't instantly become legal in Florida.
The process of enacting a successful referendum into law can take several months. Even if it does pass, the Florida Legislature has to decide on how to implement the law, including specific regulations around how much marijuana could be purchased at one time, potency limits, rules around marketing, and any other concerns that arise during the process.
Which states have already legalized recreational weed?
As of Aug. 6, recreational marijuana is currently legal in 24 states, as well as Washington, D.C. Here's the list:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C
Even though two dozen states have legalized recreational weed, with five more now making serious moves toward that effect, the psychoactive plant is still illegal at the federal level.
