Florida Rec Cannabis Initiative Clears Signature Hurdle Amid DeSantis Administration Controversy

A lawsuit accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration of attempting to sabotage an effort to legalize adult recreational marijuana in Florida has prompted the state’s acknowledgment that the campaign initiative has enough support to advance its proposal.

According to a letter issued on Monday by the State Division of Elections Director Maria Matthews, the Smart & Safe campaign had met the 25% required signature threshold to move the amendment that would legalize adult-use marijuana onto review by the attorney general and the state Supreme Court, reported the Florida Phoenix.

The move led Attorney General James Uthmeier to urge the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to drop the case, emphasizing that with the issuance of the letter, the state has done what Smart & Safe Florida advocated for.

This is the second time for the organization to sue the state regarding the proposed 2026 ballot initiative, following the other lawsuit filed in circuit court in October, which disputed an earlier decision to toss out nearly 200,000 signatures.

Unlike Amendment 3, which fell short of the 60% threshold in 2024 to be included in the state Constitution, the new initiative adds public smoking and vaping bans, prohibits child‑friendly marketing and packaging, expands sales to all licensed marijuana businesses, including medical treatment centers, and lets property owners restrict marijuana use on their premises, according to Marijuana Business Daily.

Still, the new marijuana legalization initiative needs 880,000 valid signatures from registered voters to end up on the ballot.

Cannabis Operators Ramping Up Presence In Florida

Either way, cannabis operators are making their way into the booming market, the largest medical cannabis market nationwide, with 2024 retail sales estimated to be roughly $2.4 billion.

Besides Florida-based cannabis giant Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), which has poured over $25 million in funding for the initiative so far and has a substantial footprint nationwide, operators like Planet 13 Holdings Inc. (CSE: PLTH) (OTCQX: PLNH) and FLUENT Corp. (CSE: FNT.U) (OTCQB: CNTMF) are ramping up their presence within the market as well.

Planet 13 announced on Wednesday a partnership with Praetorian Global, Inc. to launch ONI products exclusively across Florida in Planet 13 stores. The collaboration will bring “Private Stock – Powered by ONI Genetics” to Florida’s medical cannabis market.

Separately, Fluent said it has opened doors on its new 2,800 square-feet dispensary at 1401 W Brandon Blvd in Brandon, with a grand opening celebration set for Saturday, Nov. 22.