Florida Cannabis Activists Gather Enough Signatures To Put Legalization On 2024 Ballot

Activists in Florida have collected a sufficient number of valid signatures to put marijuana legalization on the 2024 ballot, state officials said on Thursday, reported Marijuana Moment.

As of the end of May, the Florida Division of Elections verified 967,528 petition signatures. To reach the November 2024 ballot, the initiative had to collect 891,523 valid signatures and secure the approval of the Supreme Court.

The news comes on the heels of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) formally submitting the initiative to legalize adult-use cannabis to the state Supreme Court earlier this month.

Last week, the Court provided more details on the next steps to be taken. It also addressed Moody's opposition to the Smart & Safe Florida campaign, against which she submitted an opinion calling into question the reform measure based on a single subject challenge.

Before making a final decision on the issue, the Court said initial briefings are expected by June 12, with the following reply briefs due for submission by July 5 and 12.

If approved, the proposition would allow adults over 21 "to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise." The initiative would not allow home cultivation for personal use.

Meanwhile, Florida-based medical cannabis giant Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TRUL TCNNF has poured at least $30 million into the campaign, of which more than $19 million was spent on petition collection and verification expenses.

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