Why can’t Florida get recreational cannabis approved once and for all?

Florida’s cannabis legislation is a long way from approval. The wait may be months or years to come, as the state Supreme Court recently dashed hopes of including a cannabis vote in this year’s midterm elections. Proponents had planned to leave it up to voters in November. Lawmakers and anti-cannabis advocates, however, challenged the wording of the measure until the court eventually threw it out.

For now, pro-cannabis lawmakers and advocates stand ready to exercise due diligence to ensure the next move is nothing but perfect. Their goal is to make sure that the wait is worth the wait for Florida cannabis lovers.

Legalization of recreational cannabis in the United States

Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize adult-use marijuana about a decade ago. They provided a blueprint for other states to follow. Within this decade, thirteen additional states have established their recreational cannabis industry. However, as in Florida, they are held back by politicians and an anti-cannabis minority.

Polls show that more than half of the adult population in the United States supports cannabis decriminalization and legislation. That said, there have been stumbling blocks here and there in agreeing to federal reform, and states are experiencing the same.

While most of these legal states took their time to approve recreational cannabis policies, Florida took too long on the same issue. With a booming medical marijuana industry in the state, many would expect the state government to see enough reason to establish the recreational sector and get ahead of other states, but that’s not the case. In fact, many are confused about the Florida government’s position on cannabis legislation.

Cannabis Laws in Florida

Florida is a legal medicinal cannabis state. The law was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019. This law allows residents to hold and use up to 2.5 ounces of medicinal cannabis each month. The drugs must be purchased from licensed cannabis stores and sold to registered patients under the program. Cannabis-related arrests were reduced after this law was passed, but some arrests are still taking place in the state.

Medicinal cannabis patients are encouraged to keep their physical cannabis possession cards at all times, especially after they have used them, to avoid unnecessary prosecution or fines from law enforcement.

Legalization was an economic boost for the state, raking in millions of dollars annually. Cannabis dispensaries distribute thousands of prescriptions to patients every month. Demand for these drugs is high as Florida’s medical cannabis program prohibits patients from growing their cannabis plants. Hundreds of pharmacies are located across the state for patients to visit.

Patients enrolled in the program suffer from diseases such as lupus, migraines, HIV, chronic pain, muscle spasms, canker sores, spinal cord injuries or diseases and other critical conditions that cannot be treated with conventional medication. The bill was first introduced over six years ago and included on the ballot papers in the 2016 general election. Voters passed the bill by a landslide victory of 71.3% to 28.7%. Further changes led to the bill finally being passed in 2019.

Attempts to legalize recreational cannabis

Floridians have worked so hard to get a state recreation law approved, all to no avail. Obstacles large and small have emerged at crucial moments to halt legalization processes. Many believe that the availability of medical cannabis in the state is reason enough to hope that recreational cannabis will one day be made available to cannabis enthusiasts and advocates.

The biggest obstacle to legalizing recreational cannabis in the Sunshine State is none other than Gov. Ron DeSantis. In recent years, voters have shown massive support for the state’s medical cannabis law, seeking approval of a recreational cannabis bill. Nevertheless, the governor is largely opposed to this development.

John Hudak, associate director of the Center for Effective Public Management at the Brookings Institution, confirmed this statement. He mentioned that the government is firmly behind most of the obstacles that have hampered proposed policy changes regarding recreational cannabis. He stressed that the situation could remain the same as Ron DeSantis remains the governor. According to the deputy director, the best move is probably an electoral initiative. That is more or less out of the question as the Supreme Court recently ruled out the proposed voting measure.

Governor DeSantis has authoritarian influence over state legislatures, so a change in leadership could have a favorable outcome for the legalization of recreational cannabis. Now, cannabis advocates must focus squarely on grassroots mobilization to gain support for recreational legislation before long.

Recreational Cannabis Legalization Predictions

Florida residents are beginning to accept that the ballot initiative to be voted on in the midterm elections can no longer be considered. The disappointment felt by millions of cannabis lovers in the Sunshine State cannot be overstated. Supporters have announced that all efforts and attention will be focused on a new measure that will appear on the ballot in the 2024 general election.

They defended this new date by stating that by then there would be a burgeoning plan for state cannabis reform and regulatory policies in the industry. Executive Director of the Council for Federal Cannabis Regulations, Sarah A. Chase, made it clear that Floridians’ overwhelming support for recreational legislation will be nothing compared to what will be felt in 2024. The demographics in favor of legalization will not only prove positive for troops to approve the vote, but they could also vote for a change in leadership.

last words

A legal recreational cannabis industry will reduce the partial criminalization of blacks versus whites. In addition, over $100 million will be pumped into the state economy, which will improve the lives of residents across the state. Of course, the wait gets tiring, but the gains that can be made from that wait in the future would be worth it. One day, hopefully before or after the 2024 general election, Florida will have its own leisure industry.

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