Florida Cannabis Legalization: One Poll Shows Weed Going Legal In November Ballot, Another Thumbs Down

Zinger Key Points
  • A professional pollster says any poll that doesn’t ask the "actual ballot language" is difficult to take seriously.
  • A USA Today/Suffolk Univ. poll shows the cannabis amendment garnering 63% of votes while a FAU poll says it will fall far short.

Two recent polls are showing differing perspectives on the level of support for Florida's ballot measure to legalize cannabis, also known as Amendment 3 to be decided by voters this coming November.

According to a poll conducted by Florida Atlantic University (FAU), the amendment is falling short of the 60% approval needed for passage. The FAU survey found that 56% of voters support Amendment 3, with a significant 15% still undecided.

Read Also: Ron DeSantis Slams Trulieve’s Alleged ‘Canadian’ Ties In His Battle Against Cannabis Legalization

In contrast, a poll released by USA Today/Suffolk University/WSVN indicates stronger support, with 63% of respondents in favor of the amendment and only 3.2% undecided. The FAU poll’s margin of error is reported at 3 percentage points, while the USA Today poll’s margin of error is slightly higher at 4.4 percentage points.

No Direct Questions No Reliable Answers, Says Pollster

Steve Vancore, professional pollster and spokesperson for Florida-based medical marijuana company Trulieve TCNNF, criticized the FAU poll for not using the exact ballot language in its questioning.

The FAU poll asked, "On the upcoming ballot amendment 3, which would legalize marijuana for adults 21 years and older, which way are you considering voting?"

"We don't take any poll that doesn't not ask the actual ballot language and suggest that readers don't take it seriously either. Valid poll after valid poll including the poll from the opposition have consistently shown amendment 3 polling in the mid 60%," Vancore told Florida Politics.

The FAU poll highlighted demographic differences in support. It found that younger voters, particularly those aged 18 to 49, are more likely to back the amendment, with 69% in favor. Support drops among older voters, with only 47% of those over 50 supporting the measure.

Fox News Poll: Cannabis More Popular Than Governor?

Meanwhile, a Fox News poll from early June found the cannabis legalization amendment enjoys greater popularity than Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is actively campaigning against it.

The Fox poll showed 66% of Florida voters favor the marijuana initiative with support strongest among Democrats at 76%, followed by Independents at 71% and Republicans at 57%.

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Photo: El Planteo

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