Amendment 3 fails; Florida marijuana legislation remains the same

Florida’s Amendment 3, which aimed to legalize recreational marijuana, has failed to pass.

All proposed amendments require 60% of the vote to pass; Amendment 3 fell short of this requirement, only receiving 55.7% of the vote.

As a result, Florida’s current marijuana legislation will remain in place.

Overview

Amendment 3 proposed the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older.

Currently, the possession and use of marijuana for non-medical purposes is illegal under both state and federal law.

Those in violation of this law face criminal prosecution depending on the amount of marijuana they have been found to possess.

If passed, Amendment 3 would have legalized recreational marijuana, allowing individuals over the age of 21 to possess up to three ounces of marijuana. Had the amendment passed, Florida would have joined Washington D.C., as well as 24 other states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

WINK News spoke with a voter regarding his opinion on the legalization of marijuana, saying that there has to be some sort of middle ground.

“I believe in legalizing marijuana; I just don’t like the fact that it is everywhere. I don’t want to smell it outside my house, especially when I’m walking my dog in the morning,” said George Doulos, a Collier County voter. “So, if there was a responsible way to do it, I’m all for legalization. Do whatever you want to do, but not in the streets. If it were up to me, I’d treat it like alcohol, keep it segregated to bars or social events but not in the streets.”

To learn more about this amendment, click here.

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