Florida Cannabis Initiative Nears Signature Goal

TALLAHASSEE – Organizers of a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational Cannabis in Florida reported a sharp increase in verified voter signatures, bringing their total to 760,002 and narrowing the gap to the threshold needed for the November 2026 ballot.

The Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is spearheading the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana initiative, must secure 880,062 valid signatures by February 1 to qualify, along with meeting distribution requirements across the state’s congressional districts.

The latest figures from the Florida Division of Elections mark a gain of about 45,000 signatures since Sunday’s count of 714,888. That acceleration follows a period of relative stagnation, when the tally hovered around 675,000 for nearly two months amid heightened scrutiny of petition validity. Committee officials attribute the recent momentum to intensified grassroots efforts in the closing days of the circulation window.

The campaign has faced headwinds from state officials, including directives to invalidate roughly 70,000 signatures gathered from inactive voters or by paid circulators who failed to meet disclosure rules. A state appeals court upheld those measures on Friday, rejecting the committee’s bid to reinstate the petitions. Separately, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced 46 new investigations last week into potential fraud involving more than 7,100 suspect signatures tied to the drive.

Under the proposed amendment, adults 21-plus could possess up to three ounces of Cannabis flower and 10 grams of concentrates for personal use, with provisions for licensed cultivation and sales. The measure cleared a key review by the Florida Supreme Court in January 2025, paving the way for signature collection.

With five days remaining, the committee needs approximately 120,000 more valid signatures – a tall order, but one that recent daily averages of 40,000 to 50,000 suggest could be within reach if the pace holds. Yet, any further invalidations from ongoing probes could tighten the margin considerably.

Smart & Safe Florida has invested more than $20 million in the effort so far, drawing support from MSOs like Trulieve Cannabis, which holds the largest medical Cannabis license in the state. Opponents, including business groups and some law enforcement advocates, argue the initiative could expand unregulated home growing and strain public resources.

As the deadline approaches, the drive challenges the limits of Florida’s ballot qualification process, where voter-approved amendments require 60% support to pass. With a population of 22 million, Florida is a prime market [larger than California’s] for the Cannabis industry. The win-win scenario here could generate billions of dollars in revenue and taxes for infrastructure projects and underserved communities. Failure, however, could delay full adult-use access until at least 2028.

Florida voters, every signature counts in deciding whether this question reaches your ballot. If you’re registered and eligible, take a moment to review the details and lend your support by signing the petition today.