WRE News: Recreational Marijuana Legalization Push in Florida Faces Legal Hurdles

Miami, FL – November 12, 2023 – Despite a majority of Florida voters favoring the legalization of recreational marijuana, the state’s Attorney General, Ashley Moody, is seeking to block a ballot initiative by Smart and Safe Florida, claiming it is misleading and violates state rules.

In a bid to nullify the efforts of Smart and Safe Florida, which gathered over a million signatures for a 2024 ballot measure, Attorney General Ashley Moody contends that the proposed amendment is misleading due to federal marijuana illegality.

Civil rights attorney Melba Pearson asserts that Moody’s efforts are a form of voter suppression, echoing previous challenges to ballot initiatives in Florida. The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Drug Free America Foundation support Moody, citing federal law supremacy and an alleged violation of Florida’s “one subject” rule.

Supporters of Smart and Safe Florida, including the ACLU and the Cato Institute, argue that citizen initiatives like this are crucial for individual liberty and democratic ideals. They emphasize the potential economic benefits, such as increased tax revenue for community development.