Florida voters reject ballot measure legalizing recreational marijuana use

An attempt to legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida has failed at the ballot box, according to NBC News.

Despite endorsements ranging from the Florida Democratic Party to former President Donald Trump, Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational use and production of marijuana in the state, did not receive the 60 percent voter support needed to pass a state constitutional amendment would be required.

State law currently allows the use of marijuana for medical purposes if a doctor deems it necessary as part of the treatment of diseases such as glaucoma, cancer and epilepsy. In a successful statewide vote in 2016, Florida voters expanded medical use eligibility.

For the foreseeable future, however, recreational use of the drug will remain illegal in Florida.

The amendment's failure is a success for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a vocal opponent of the measure. In press conferences and media interviews, the Republican governor warned voters against approving the measure.

For example, during an appearance on Fox News with prominent conservative media personality Sean Hannity in May, DeSantis warned voters against supporting Amendment 3, saying he believed legalization would carry a high potential for public nuisance.

“It would be everywhere. The state would smell like it. We don’t need that in Florida,” DeSantis said of the drug, also urging voters to reject Amendment 4, which would enshrine Roe-era reproductive health protections in the Florida Constitution.

Trump, for his part, became a public supporter of the measure despite strong opposition from DeSantis.

Trump, himself a Florida voter, signaled his support in September, with the caveat that the emerging industry must have “smart regulations.”

“As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November,” the former president wrote in a post on his social media page Truth Social.