Florida Voters Reject Amendment 3 Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

Proposal Fails to Secure 60% Threshold for Constitutional Amendment

Wide Margin of Opposition Despite Strong Support Among Younger Voters

In a major setback for proponents of marijuana legalization, Florida voters have rejected Amendment 3, a constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. The amendment failed to secure the 60% majority vote required to pass constitutional amendments in Florida, receiving only 58.2% of the vote.

The defeat of Amendment 3 marks a significant blow to marijuana legalization efforts in Florida, where previous attempts to legalize medical marijuana had also faced significant opposition. Despite the statewide rejection, the amendment saw strong support in some areas, particularly among younger voters. In Miami-Dade County, for example, the amendment received 63% of the vote, and in Broward County, it received 61%.

Proponents of Amendment 3 argued that it would have brought Florida in line with other states that have legalized recreational marijuana, creating new jobs and tax revenue. They also argued that it would have reduced the number of marijuana-related arrests, which disproportionately affect people of color.

Opponents of the amendment, however, raised concerns about the potential negative impacts on public health and safety, particularly among young people. They also argued that legalization would send the wrong message to children and that it could lead to increased drug use and addiction.

The defeat of Amendment 3 is a reminder of the challenges facing marijuana legalization efforts in Florida. While public support for legalization has grown in recent years, a vocal minority of opponents has been able to block previous attempts to change state law.