Smart & Safe Florida is sponsored by the Political Committee Proposal for “adult personal use of marijuana”which garnered more than the required 222,881 signatures on the petition to begin the mandatory Supreme Court review.
On Monday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) formally submitted the proposal to the court, along with her opinion that it does not meet legal requirements for landing on next year’s ballot. The Supreme Court reviews initiatives, specifically ensuring that constitutional amendments are limited to individual subjects and that they contain clear language.
Moody specifically alleged that the initiative violated the state constitution’s single-subject rule, which requires ballot proposals to focus on only one single subject issue. Modi previously made the same argument about the 2022 legalization measure, which was eventually overturned by the Supreme Court.
“In accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section 10, Florida Constitution, I respectfully request the opinion of this Court as to whether the proposed “Adult Personal Use of Marijuana” amendment is consistent with the requirements of Article XI, Section 3, Florida Constitution, and whether the ballot title and summary of the amendment Complies with the substantive and technical requirements in Section 101.161(1), Florida Statutes,” Moody’s New court filing is reading. “I believe the proposed amendment fails to meet the requirements of Section 101.161(1), Florida Code, and I will provide additional arguments through a briefing in due course.”
The activists responded with a statement released on Tuesday, expressing their appreciation for Modi’s agency being referred to the Supreme Court while they “respectfully disagree with her statement that she believes she is not complying.”
“We very much look forward to its analysis but more importantly to the written and oral arguments before the Florida Supreme Court and the positive ruling from that court. Regardless, it is important to note that the Attorney General’s opinion is not binding and that this matter will be decided after both sides have demonstrated Their opinion is before the Florida Supreme Court.” a permit From the Safe & Smart campaign.
Trulieve spokesperson Steve Fancourt also shared the company’s belief that “the language of the ballot is consistent with Florida’s individual subject matter and related laws.” Trulieve is Florida’s largest producer of cannabis and has put more than $38 million to date behind efforts to put adult use cannabis in front of voters in the state.
“With the majority of American adults now free to use cannabis for personal consumption, we hope the Court will agree that the Smart & Safe Amendment meets Florida’s ballot adequacy laws and will allow voters to vote on this important issue,” Vancourt said.
The Safe & Smart committee needs Supreme Court approval and at least 891,523 certified signatures on the petition for the action to reach the 2024 ballot. According to the state’s Division of Elections websiteThe committee had received 786,747 signatures as of Tuesday.
Under this initiative, adults over the age of 21 are allowed to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for personal, non-medical consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.” In addition, the proposal allows state licensing Medical cannabis operators – of which there are currently 22 – “the acquisition, cultivation, processing, manufacture, sale and distribution of these products and accessories”.
The initiative does not allow residents to grow in the home for personal use. If the initiative takes the ballot, it must have the approval of 60% of the electorate to be enacted, as it is a constitutional amendment.
A poll released in February by the University of North Florida’s Public Opinion Research Laboratory (PORL) also showed that 70% of respondents supported the measure, either “strongly” or “somewhat.”
“The effort to get recreational marijuana in front of voters in 2024 is still in its infancy, but support for it is high across the political spectrum.” He said Dr. Michael Binder, PORL Faculty Director and Professor of Political Science. “If he succeeds on the ballot next year, which is a big deal, he will have a good chance of reaching the 60% absolute majority needed to succeed.”
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