According to new polling a large majority of voters in Florida support the legalization of marijuana.
Conducted by the University of South Florida and Florida Atlantic University, the survey found that 60% of registered Florida voters support legalizing marijuana, including 50% of Republicans. Support for Democrats was the highest at 71%, with 59% of independents supporting the move.
Support for medical marijuana was much higher, with 83% in support including 87% of Democrats, 84% of independents and 78% of Republicans.
The poll comes as Florida voters prepare to consider a 2024 initiative that would legalize marijuana. The initiative would allow those 21 and older “to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise.” Licensed marijuana retail outlets would be allowed to distribute the plant, with any of the state’s licensed medical-marijuana dispensaries allowed to “acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell and distribute such products and accessories.”
Polling released in March by the Public Opinion Research Lab at the University of North Florida found that just 29% of Florida voters oppose legalizing marijuana, with 70% in favor and just 1% undecided.
Given the marijuana legalization initiative is a constitutional amendment, it will need 60% support in order to be approved at the ballot.
