Florida’s Amendment 3 Achieves Record Funding for Marijuana Legislation, Nearly Quadrupling Previous Amounts

The landscape of recreational marijuana legislation in the United States has seen a seismic shift over the last twelve years since Colorado and Washington first passed adult-use cannabis in 2012, and nowhere is this more evident now than in Florida. Amendment 3, set to appear on Florida’s ballot this November, has quickly become the most expensive marijuana legalization effort in U.S. history. Leading the charge is Smart & Safe Florida, and on their side is Trulieve, Florida’s largest medical marijuana company, which is betting big on this initiative.

Funding of Amendment 3

Florida voters are gearing up to decide on Amendment 3, a measure brought forward by Smart & Safe Florida that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21+ and up. According to Ballotpedia, the amount of money being funneled into this campaign by both supporters and opponents is staggering, making Amendment 3 the most expensive ballot measure of the year in all of the United States, regardless of the type of campaign.

To put the spending into perspective, consider this:

• As of now, more than $105 million has been spent on Amendment 3.
• Supporters have contributed a whopping $90 million.
• In comparison, California’s Proposition 64, the 2nd largest marijuana legalization effort, which legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, saw contributions of $27 million.

The financial clout behind Amendment 3 far surpasses any previous marijuana legalization effort, underlining the high stakes involved.

One name stands out among the contributors to Amendment 3 – Trulieve. The Florida-based cannabis giant has donated nearly $83 million to support the amendment. This level of financial commitment is unprecedented and raises an important question: What does Trulieve stand to gain?

For Trulieve, the potential benefits of a successful Amendment 3 vote are immense. Therefore, by making significant investments in this campaign, Trulieve is positioning itself to capture a considerable share of Florida’s future recreational marijuana market.

The company already has a stranglehold in the medical marijuana industry, and the passage of Amendment 3 would allow it to expand its operations significantly. The return on investment could dwarf the millions spent on the campaign, making it a strategic move for long-term profitability.

Opposition to Amendment 3

Of course, not everyone is on board with Amendment 3 and marijuana legislation in Florida. Law enforcement agencies and other conservative groups are staunchly opposed to the measure. Governor DeSantis and the GOP in Florida have been verbally against Amendment 3 in Florida.

The Keep Florida Clean PAC, the leading opposition group, has raised $14.64 million, making it the most well-funded opposition to a marijuana legalization effort to date. Ken Griffin, CEO of Citadel LLC and a Florida resident, has contributed $12 million to this cause.

The opposition argues that legalizing recreational marijuana will lead to increased substance abuse and pose public safety risks. They also emphasize that the current legal framework allows for prosecuting low-level drug offenses, which they believe acts as a deterrent against drug use. If Amendment 3 passes, these prosecutions would come to an end, fundamentally altering Florida’s approach to marijuana.

In an unexpected turn of events, former President Donald Trump has come out in support of Amendment 3, adding an intriguing layer to the ongoing debates surrounding the initiative.

Florida a Unique Battle Ground For Marijuana Legislation

Florida presents unique challenges for marijuana legalization efforts. It is a Republican trifecta, meaning the GOP controls the legislature and the governor’s office. Historically, marijuana legalization measures have had a harder time passing in Republican-controlled states. However, the sheer amount of money being spent on Amendment 3 could tip the scales in favor of legalization.

Public opinion plays a crucial role in the fate of Amendment 3. Consequently, Florida, being a diverse state with a mix of liberal and conservative voters, becomes a battleground for contentious issues like marijuana legalization. Historically, marijuana legalization measures have found success in states with more liberal populations. However, Florida’s unique demographic makeup means that both sides must work harder to sway voters.

One of the unique challenges facing Amendment 3 is Florida’s requirement that constitutional amendments receive at least 60 percent of the vote to pass. This higher threshold makes it more difficult for ‘controversial’ measures to succeed, adding another layer of complexity to the campaign.

If Amendment 3 passes, Florida would join 24 other states that have already legalized recreational marijuana. This could have a ripple effect across the country, encouraging other states to consider similar measures. Additionally, the success of Amendment 3 could establish a new standard for the amount of money needed to drive significant legislative changes.

What’s Next?

With several weeks still to go until the election, the campaign for Amendment 3 shows no signs of slowing down. Both sides are likely to ramp up their efforts as we approach Election Day. Consequently, for voters, this means they face an onslaught of ads, mailers, and other forms of communication aimed at swaying their vote.