Florida's Cannabis Legalization Effort Faces Major Hurdle as Judge Invalidates Signatures
Florida's cannabis legalization campaign faces a major setback as a judge invalidates over 200,000 signatures, threatening the initiative's ballot placement
Key Points
- 1Judge invalidates over 200,000 signatures for Florida cannabis initiative
- 2Smart & Safe Florida plans to appeal the decision
- 3Campaign faces February 1 deadline to gather 880,000 signatures
- 4Trulieve Cannabis Corp. is the primary financial backer with $25.8 million
- 5Governor DeSantis's administration opposes cannabis legalization
The campaign to legalize adult-use marijuana in Florida, primarily funded by multistate cannabis operator Trulieve Cannabis Corp., has encountered a significant setback. A state judge invalidated over 200,000 signatures, severely hindering the Smart & Safe Florida initiative’s ability to place legalization on the ballot. This decision is a victory for Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration, which has consistently opposed cannabis legalization and sought to disqualify the signatures
Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper's ruling nullifies about one-third of the 675,307 signatures collected by Smart & Safe Florida. The judge's decision stems from a lawsuit challenging an October directive from the state Division of Elections, which required petitions to include the full text of the proposed amendment. The campaign had added a link to its website on the back of the petition, which Judge Cooper deemed a 'material change' from the approved state form
Despite this ruling, Smart & Safe Florida plans to appeal. The campaign now faces the daunting task of collecting 880,000 valid signatures by the February 1 deadline, a challenge compounded by a new state law effective since July that paused signature processing for 90 days. Glenn Burhans, the attorney representing Smart & Safe, emphasized the need to submit signatures well in advance of the deadline to ensure they are verified in time
The campaign's financial backing, primarily from Trulieve, has reached $25.8 million. Trulieve also funded a previous constitutional amendment for cannabis legalization, which, despite receiving majority support, fell short of the 60% threshold required to become law. The current setback underscores the ongoing challenges faced by cannabis legalization efforts in Florida, particularly amidst political opposition from the state's leadership
Looking ahead, the campaign's appeal and potential to gather the necessary signatures will be critical in determining the future of cannabis legalization in Florida. The ruling highlights the complexities and legal hurdles involved in such initiatives, especially in states with strong political resistance. This development also serves as a reminder of the intricate legal frameworks that govern ballot initiatives and the significant resources required to navigate them