Florida's Resounding Approval: Voters Overwhelmingly Back Cannabis Legalization

Researchers from the University of South Florida (USF) and Florida Atlantic University (FAU) released the results of a comprehensive statewide survey that delves into Floridians’ attitudes on key health policy matters, including marijuna, for which there is broad support. 

The survey, conducted between August 10-21, 2023, and sponsored by the Florida Center for Cybersecurity at USF, sheds light on public opinion regarding medical marijuana and on full legalization.

Majority Of Voters Want Recreational Marijuana Legalized

The survey found broad support for the medical marijuana, 83%, which became legal on Jan.1, 2015. Now, with adult-use cannabis expected to appear on the 2024 ballot, over 60% of respondents say they support it. Over the past year, upwards of a million Florida voters signed a petition to get a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana on the 2024 ballot. 

Opposition From Up Top

Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody, however, takes issue with the way the initiative is written. She has implied that voters who support legalization do not comprehend that regardless of how Florida votes, cannabis will still be illegal on a federal level. She contends that Floridians are being duped by what she calls a “reckless” proposal, which happens to enjoy substantial financial support from Florida-based marijuana company Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TCNNF. 

This fact has put Trulieve’s CEO Kim Rivers smack dab in AG Moody’s crosshairs. The onslaught began in June when Moody publicly accused Rivers of misrepresenting the ballot proposal. Since then, the accusations continued throughout the summer.

Kim Rivers, by the way, is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on Sept. 27-28. Rivers, we're guessing, probably won’t talk about AG Moody but will likely have a lot to say about the recent news that the Dept. of Health and Human Services has suggested that the DEA reschedule cannabis. 

"The reduction of cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III is monumental and that has significant practical impacts for our business," Rivers told Benzinga in a recent interview.

With Rivers' insights and the looming potential of rescheduling, the future of the cannabis industry seems to be on the verge of a significant transformation. Want to hear more? Join us at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago on September 27 and 28. All information is available on bzcannabis.com