Honestly, if you looked at the raw numbers from the November election without knowing the rules, you’d think recreational weed was a done deal in Florida. Nearly 6 million people said "yes." That is a massive number of humans. In almost any other state, that kind of majority would have people lining up at dispensaries by now. But Florida is... well, it’s Florida.
The Florida Amendment 3 election results tell a story of a campaign that broke records, split the Republican party, and ultimately ran head-first into a math problem that has been decades in the making. Even though 55.9% of voters wanted to legalize adult-use marijuana, the measure died on the vine. Why? Because in the Sunshine State, a simple majority is basically a "participation trophy" when it comes to the constitution.
The Brutal Math of 60 Percent
You’ve gotta feel for the organizers at Smart & Safe Florida. They raised over $150 million—most of it from Trulieve—and ran a relentless ground game. They got the "yes" votes. In fact, they got way more "yes" votes than Governor Ron DeSantis got to win his own re-election back in 2022. But because of a 2006 rule change, constitutional amendments in Florida need a 60% supermajority to pass.
It's a high bar. Actually, it's one of the highest in the country. To put it in perspective:
- Yes votes: 5,950,589 (55.9%)
- No votes: 4,693,524 (44.1%)
- The Gap: Roughly 4.1% short of the finish line.
The irony isn't lost on anyone that the 2006 amendment which created this 60% rule only passed with about 57% of the vote. If those rules applied back then, we wouldn't even have the 60% rule today. Talk about a "ladder-pull" move.
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Where the Votes Came From (and Where They Didn't)
The geographic divide was pretty much what you'd expect, but with some weird twists. Urban centers like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Leon (Tallahassee) showed up big for the "yes" side. Leon County, for instance, swung over 60% in favor.
But the "No" campaign, heavily backed by the Governor’s "Florida Freedom Fund," hammered the rural counties. They leaned hard into the "smell" factor. You probably saw the ads—claims that Florida would "stink" like weed and that the amendment was a corporate power grab. It worked. In places like Clay County and Santa Rosa, the "no" votes were crushing, with some areas hitting 70% against.
DeSantis vs. Trump: A Weed-Sized Wedge
One of the weirdest parts of the Florida Amendment 3 election results was the civil war it sparked at the top of the GOP. You had Governor Ron DeSantis using every tool in his shed to kill the bill. We're talking millions in state-funded "public service announcements" that many critics—and now some lawyers in Leon County—argue were actually just thinly veiled campaign ads paid for by taxpayers.
Then you had Donald Trump.
In a move that caught a lot of people off guard, Trump came out and said he’d be voting "yes." His logic was basically: "It’s happening anyway, so we might as well do it safely." That created a bizarre dynamic where a voter could be a die-hard MAGA supporter but still find themselves at odds with their own Governor on this specific issue.
The Role of Corporate Cash
Let's talk about Trulieve for a second. They dropped roughly $143 million into this. That is "buy a small island" type of money. The opposition used this as a primary weapon, calling it a "monopoly" amendment. They argued that because the amendment didn't include a "home grow" provision (allowing you to grow your own plants at home), it was just a gift to the big dispensaries.
The pro-amendment side argued they couldn't include home grow because of how strict Florida’s Supreme Court is about "single-subject" rules for amendments. They feared adding home grow would get the whole thing kicked off the ballot before anyone could even vote. It was a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation.
What Happens Now?
So, Amendment 3 failed. Does that mean the weed conversation is over in Florida? Not even close.
First off, the medical market is still huge. Florida has one of the most robust medical marijuana programs in the country, with over 800,000 active patients. If anything, the failure of Amendment 3 might actually lead to more people getting their medical cards because the "easy way" (recreational) just got blocked for the foreseeable future.
The Looming Legal Battles
There is already a lot of heat regarding how the state fought the amendment. There are investigations into whether the DeSantis administration legally diverted $36 million in state funds—including money from a Medicaid settlement—to run those anti-weed and anti-abortion ads. If the courts find that money was used improperly, it won't change the election results, but it’ll definitely get messy for the administration.
The 2026 Horizon
Will we see this on the ballot again? Probably. But it won't be easy. Gathering the nearly 900,000 signatures required to get on the ballot costs a fortune.
The industry is currently licking its wounds. They spent $150 million and got nothing. Investors are a bit skittish right now. Some companies that over-hired or over-built facilities in anticipation of a "Green Rush" are having to scale back and focus on the medical side again.
Actionable Insights for Floridians
If you were one of the millions hoping for a different outcome, here is the reality of the landscape moving forward:
- Don't expect the Legislature to help: Florida's Republican-led legislature is very unlikely to pass a recreational bill on their own. They've had years to do it and haven't budged.
- The Medical Card is still the only way: If you want legal access in Florida, you still need to see a qualified physician and get a state-issued ID. The "recreational" dream is on ice for at least two to four years.
- Watch the "Delta" market: Because Amendment 3 failed, the "grey market" for hemp-derived products (like Delta-8 and Delta-9 sold in smoke shops) is going to explode. However, the state is also looking to crack down on these, so keep an eye on new regulations during the next legislative session.
- Check your registration: If you want to change the 60% threshold itself, that would require another amendment. It's a bit of a Catch-22, but it's the only way to make the "50% plus one" rule a reality again.
The Florida Amendment 3 election results proved that while a majority of the state is ready for a change, the system is designed to favor the status quo. For now, the "No" camp has the win, but with 56% of the state in favor, this is a fire that's going to keep smoldering until the next election cycle.
Next Steps for Advocates:
If you're looking to stay involved, the focus is shifting toward "Home Grow" advocacy. Many believe that if a future amendment includes the right for individuals to grow their own plants, it could peel off enough libertarian-leaning "No" voters to finally clear that 60% hurdle. Keep an eye on new petition starts in late 2025.