Smart & Safe Florida has collected more than 75 percent of the signatures needed to place their Florida adult-use cannabis legalization initiative on the 2026 ballot, according to state officials. With over 660,00 valid signatures now verified, the campaign has made substantial progress toward their goal of 880,062 required signatures.
The milestone comes as Florida prepares for another heated debate over adult-use cannabis legalization. The campaign picked up approximately 50,000 additional valid signatures over the past month, showing consistent momentum in their signature-gathering efforts that began in January.
While reaching three-quarters of the signature threshold represents significant progress, Smart & Safe Florida faces the same challenge that derailed their 2024 effort: securing the 60 percent voter approval required for constitutional amendments in Florida.
This development was first reported by Marijuana Moment.
The 60 Percent Hurdle Looms Large
Florida’s constitutional amendment process requires a supermajority threshold that has proven difficult for cannabis initiatives to achieve.
Despite receiving majority support in 2024, the previous Smart & Safe Florida measure fell short of the 60 percent requirement needed to become law.
Recent polling suggests the 2026 effort may face similar challenges. While a February poll showed overwhelming bipartisan support at 67 percent—including 82 percent of Democrats, 66 percent of independents, and 55 percent of Republicans—other surveys paint a less optimistic picture.
A poll commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, which actively opposes legalization, found majority support among likely voters at 53 percent.
However, this falls well below the constitutional threshold needed for passage. Another survey of Florida Republican voters showed only 40 percent would vote in favor of the legalization proposal.
DeSantis Remains Staunch Opposition to Adult-Use Cannabis in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis continues to be a vocal opponent of marijuana legalization in Florida. In February, he predicted the newest measure would face “big time trouble” with the state Supreme Court, suggesting it could be blocked from appearing on the 2026 ballot entirely.
“There’s a lot of different perspectives on marijuana,” DeSantis said. “It should not be in our Constitution. If you feel strongly about it, you have elections for the legislature. Go back candidates that you believe will be able to deliver what your vision is on that.”
The governor’s opposition proved influential during the 2024 campaign, where he actively campaigned against the measure despite endorsement from President Donald Trump. DeSantis appears poised to maintain the same level of resistance for the 2026 initiative.
Strategic Changes for 2026
Smart & Safe Florida has incorporated several modifications into their new initiative that appear designed to address criticisms raised during the 2024 campaign.
The revised measure explicitly states that “smoking and vaping of marijuana in any public place is prohibited” and requires legislative approval for rules governing “the regulation of the time, place, and manner of the public consumption of marijuana.”
These changes suggest the campaign recognizes the need to address public consumption concerns that may have contributed to their previous defeat.
The organization, which received tens of millions of dollars in funding primarily from multi-state operator Trulieve during the last election cycle, appears committed to a more targeted approach for 2026.
Signature Requirements, Progress and Federal vs. State Law Considerations
Beyond the statewide signature total, Smart & Safe Florida must also collect signatures from at least 8 percent of voters in a minimum of 14 congressional districts.
Currently, the campaign has exceeded the required threshold in five of Florida’s 28 congressional districts, with several others approaching the necessary numbers.
The campaign has already triggered the mandatory judicial and financial review process by surpassing the initial milestone of 220,016 signatures.
This review will determine the measure’s legal eligibility and provide voters with information about its potential economic impact.
The proposed amendment explicitly acknowledges the continuing conflict between state and federal marijuana laws. The measure states it “applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law.”
This language reflects the complex legal landscape surrounding state-level cannabis legalization while federal prohibition remains in place.
The distinction has become increasingly important as more states legalize adult-use marijuana while navigating ongoing federal enforcement concerns.
What Lies Ahead
With signature collection continuing through 2025, Smart & Safe Florida faces the dual challenge of reaching their signature goal while building the voter coalition necessary to achieve 60 percent approval.
The campaign’s success in gathering signatures suggests strong organizational capacity, but converting that into electoral victory will require overcoming the same obstacles that prevented passage in 2024.
The upcoming judicial review process will provide the first major test of whether the revised initiative can survive legal challenges. Governor DeSantis’s prediction of Supreme Court rejection adds uncertainty to the campaign’s ballot access efforts.
Meanwhile, the Florida legislature recently passed legislation making it more difficult to place initiatives on the ballot, creating additional hurdles for future citizen-led campaigns. These new restrictions could impact Smart & Safe Florida’s ability to complete their signature-gathering process successfully.
Adult-Use Cannabis Path to 2026 Florida Ballot
Smart & Safe Florida’s progress represents the latest chapter in Florida’s ongoing cannabis legalization debate. While reaching 75 percent of required signatures demonstrates significant grassroots support, the organization must still overcome legal challenges, complete signature collection, and ultimately convince 60 percent of Florida voters to support their measure.
The campaign’s revised approach and continued financial backing suggest they remain committed to achieving legalization in 2026.
However, with Governor DeSantis’s continued opposition and mixed polling results, Smart & Safe Florida faces an uphill battle to cross the finish line that eluded them in 2024.
As the signature-gathering process continues, Florida voters will ultimately decide whether the third time proves to be the charm for adult-use marijuana legalization in the Sunshine State.
