JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An act that is punishable by up to a year in jail could become completely legal in November.
When Florida voters go to the polls on Election Day they will decide if recreational marijuana becomes part of the state's constitution.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Florida since 2016, but a group wants to expand marijuana options throughout the state.
If Amendment 3 passes, Florida will become the 25th state in the country to legalize recreational marijuana. More than 1 million registered voters signed petitions to get Amendment 3 on the ballot, which would allow people 21 years old and up the ability to possess and purchase 3 ounces of marijuana. Supporters of Amendment 3 say that recreational marijuana will help Floridians.
"By providing safe and clean access we are empowering folks to take control over their lives in a healthy way," said Kim Rivers, the Founder, CEO and Chairwoman of Trulieve.
Trulieve is a Florida based medical marijuana company that has joined with other organizations that have spent nearly $40 million lobbying for Amendment 3.
"A safe and regulated cannabis market in Florida will produce hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue to be reinvested in our community, which could go to help law enforcement, education and addiction services," said Rivers.
A poll by UNF in 2023 of 716 voters showed that 67% of respondents are in favor of the proposed legislation. Gov. Ron DeSantis said it's not worth it.
"This isn't going to be good, it's not going to be good for law and order, not going to be good for quality of life," said DeSantis during a speech at the Florida Sheriff's Association on Tuesday.
The governor also questioned the accuracy of measuring how much marijuana a person would be allowed to have.
"Some law enforcement have told me 3 ounces, how many joints is that, some say 40, some say 80, bottom line it's a lot," DeSantis said.
Medical marijuana has been legal in Florida for eight years. The Flowery is a dispensary in Baymeadows that caters to people with medical marijuana cards.
"Just in this area alone we have people coming from all over Jacksonville," said James Foreman, an employee at The Flowery.
Foreman said business will skyrocket if recreational marijuana becomes legal.
"Everyday we have people coming in that we have to deny and have to explain to them the process of how to obtain a medical marijuana card so they can come back and make a purchase a different day," said Foreman.
Amendment 3 needs a supermajority of 60% to be passed, but even if it gets the votes it won't become law instantly. A 6 month period has to pass before it becomes law and during that time the Florida Legislature can add regulations to the law like prohibiting public marijuana smoking.
To read the full text of Amendment 3, click here.