Florida’s Amendment 3, a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, could significantly reduce the state’s criminal justice burden by ending over 60,000 marijuana-related arrests annually.
This initiative, spearheaded by the nonprofit political committee Smart & Safe Florida and being voted on this November 5, aims to legalize the possession, purchase, and use of marijuana products for adults aged 21 and older. Amendment 3 allows individuals to possess up to three ounces of dried marijuana flower and up to five grams of marijuana concentrates.
Amendment 3 also provides for the establishment of licensed retail outlets, which would sell these products to consumers. Medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida would have the option to obtain a dual license, allowing them to participate in the recreational market.
The amendment’s potential to transform Florida’s approach to marijuana is substantial. In 2023, Florida prosecutors filed charges in 66,734 marijuana-related cases, according to state data. In 2022 and 2021, there was a combined 124,000 marijuana-related charges filed throughout the state.
Proponents of Amendment 3 argue that these arrests contribute to a significant strain on law enforcement and judicial resources, often disproportionately affecting communities of color.
If passed, Amendment 3 would bring Florida in line with the 24 states that have already legalized recreational marijuana. Polling suggests strong support for the measure, with 67% of likely voters in favor, surpassing the 60% threshold required for the amendment to become law.
