The cannabis legalization constitutional amendment set to appear before Florida voters this November does not currently have the necessary support to pass, USA TODAY reports.
In a recent poll of more than 1,000 adult Floridians, less than half (49%) responded that they would support the state’s cannabis legalization initiative while 36% were opposed — meanwhile, 14% said they are either not registered to vote or are unsure on the issue. Notably, while support for legalization is leaning towards a slight majority, voter amendments in Florida require 60% supermajority support to become law.
The poll, organized by USA TODAY and Ipsos, surveyed 369 registered Republicans, 264 Democrats, and 316 independents from April 5-7. The results carry a margin of error of 4.1%, the report said.
According to the pollsters, 64% of Democrats said they would vote for the ballot measure, with 25% opposed and 10% either unsure or unregistered to vote; 38% of Republicans said they would support the legalization measure, with 58% opposed and 4% unsure or unregistered; and 52% of independents said they would vote yes, with 33% opposed and 15% unsure or unregistered.
The amendment in question would legalize cannabis for adults aged 21 and older and would allow the state’s medical cannabis dispensaries to service adult-use customers. Possession limits would be capped at three ounces of cannabis flower and five grams of cannabis concentrate products. The legalization campaign was primarily funded by Trulieve, the state’s largest medical cannabis operator.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody challenged the proposal’s ballot language last year after claiming that it would be confusing to voters, but the Supreme Court ruled in the amendment’s favor, clearing the way for the issue to appear before voters this November.
The poll also found voters were similarly split on Florida’s other major ballot initiative this year, which seeks to enshrine the right to get an abortion in the state’s constitution. (Full Story)