Has legalized recreational pot in Florida gone up in smoke?

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Recreational marijuana will not be coming to Florida anytime soon. Amendment 3 did not receive enough support in the November 5 election to pass.
However, a majority of Floridians were still in favor of it, spurring questions about whether there was another way forward.
The only marijuana legal to smoke in the state comes from medical marijuana dispensaries. Amendment 3 looked to change that by legalizing recreational pot; and while 56% of Florida voters supported it, that wasn't enough.
"There was a clear majority of voters in the state of Florida who wanted to see recreational marijuana," said State Sen. Lori Berman, D-26.
Berman is upset that 60% of Florida voters did not support legalizing recreational marijuana. But, just because it didn't pass, does this mean the issue is dead in the water?
"The path going forward is very narrow. I don't think we're going to see a repeat of that amendment," Sen. Berman said.
A group called Smart & Safe Florida that supported the amendment is not giving up.
They say they're eager to work with the Governor and the leaders in the state legislature who want to decriminalize recreational pot for adults in the Sunshine State.
"I think the legislature now has an important job to do. I think there's great leadership in the House and the Senate and that they are, take their jobs seriously to enact the will of the people and here I think the people have spoken. And so I'm optimistic and looking forward to this next session and hopefully we can get some meaningful changes on the books," said Kim Rivers, Trulieve, Founder and CEO. Trulieve was the largest donor to the Smart & Safe Florida campaign.
Sen. Berman is also considering any action she could take.
"Are you going to introduce any kind of bill in the legislature to decriminalize recreational marijuana?" we asked her. "I have not, um, looked at that but maybe I would," she said.
Another idea on the table — Smart & Safe Florida says there may be a way to expand access to marijuana by allowing people to grow it at home.
"We are very supportive of home grow and think that Floridians should have the freedom to be able to grow you know, a couple of plants for personal use and so I think that's another area we could absolutely lean into and have again, some meaningful change," Rivers said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear he will not support any legislation for recreational marijuana. However, his term ends in January 2027 and since there is so much interest in legalizing pot in Florida, the next governor could take a different stand on it.
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