The stakes were high, but after a nine-figure campaign bankrolled by the state’s largest medical-marijuana operator—and intense opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and his supporters—Florida voters looked at 24 other states across the country that’ve legalized the use of recreational marijuana and decided that they did not want in on the rotation.

According to early results, Amendment 3 is projected to finish with at least 55% of the votes, well below the 60% voter approval needed in order to pass.

The proposal, which was sponsored by Smart & Safe Florida and largely funded by Trulieve. Critics have groaned about the amendment not allowing “home grow,” and the limited number of vertically-integrated growers in the state.

While Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Republican Party largely fought against Amendment 3, the proposal garnered support from former Florida GOP chairman Joe Gruters, as well as Donald Trump.

In 2016, voters passed a constitutional amendment that allowed medical marijuana, an effort that was largely bankrolled by Orlando-based attorney John Morgan.

This is a developing post.

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This article appears in Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2024.