The Florida Supreme Court decided that a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis could not be entrusted with voters in the state. The measure was thrown out by the court, which is perhaps the most conservative state high court in the nation, with a 5–2 vote, refusing Florida voters the power to vote on it.
The court used a questionable argument to explain its decision, claiming that the ballot description suggests that the measure would somehow legalize cannabis through federal statute, thereby making it “affirmatively misleading.”
Proponents have long been competing with state lawmakers in the battle to legalize cannabis in the state. State Republicans in the legislature and the governor’s office have declined to broaden cannabis access for years.
Floridians took matters into their own hands in 2016, passing a ballot measure modifying the state constitution to legalize medical cannabis with over 71% approval. Former Republican Governor Rick Scott, with the help of Republican state lawmakers, tried to gut the new legislation by restricting qualifying requirements and prohibiting smokable cannabis. The attempt was subsequently overturned by a judge, and was repealed by the legislature.
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/04/florida-supreme-court-ballot-initiative-recreational-marijuana.html
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