Florida’s Recreational Marijuana Amendment Returns: New Proposal Filed for 2026 Ballot.

Recreational Marijuana Could Return to Florida’s Ballot in 2026

Efforts to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida are making a comeback. Smart and Safe Florida, the group behind the previous Amendment 3, has filed new paperwork with the state’s Division of Elections, aiming to bring a revised amendment to voters in 2026.

The prior attempt in 2024 fell short of the required 60% approval but gained significant support. This time, the amendment has been modified to address concerns raised by opponents, including Governor Ron DeSantis.

Key Changes in the New Amendment

Attorney Paula Savchenko explained that the revised language clarifies specific points to make the amendment more acceptable to voters. Some of the notable updates include:

✔ Property Rights Protection: Property owners will have the explicit right to prohibit cannabis use on their property, addressing concerns about secondhand smoke.

✔ Horizontal Integration: Businesses can now apply for separate licenses to cultivate, manufacture, or sell cannabis instead of being required to handle all three aspects under a single license. This change is designed to open the market to more businesses rather than benefiting only a few large cannabis corporations.

Next Steps for the Amendment

To appear on the 2026 ballot, the amendment must go through the signature collection and verification process. Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis and state lawmakers are considering changes to make it harder for citizen-led amendments to qualify for future ballots.

With Florida’s legislative session approaching, the coming months will be critical for determining whether recreational marijuana will have another shot at legalization in the state.