Florida’s Smart & Safe Cannabis Amendment Targets 2026 Ballot

TAMPA, Fla. — Florida voters could once again be asked to decide the future of recreational marijuana as the Smart & Safe Florida campaign works to place a new adult-use cannabis amendment on the 2026 general election ballot. The proposal follows the narrow failure of a similar measure in 2024 and reflects continued momentum for cannabis reform in the nation’s third-largest state.

If approved, the Smart & Safe constitutional amendment would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older, allowing possession and purchase for personal use under state-regulated limits. The measure would prohibit public smoking and vaping, restrict marketing that targets children, and maintain existing penalties for driving under the influence. Supporters say the framework is designed to balance consumer access with public safety while expanding Florida’s regulated cannabis market.

The initiative is being led by Smart & Safe Florida, a political committee backed largely by the state’s medical marijuana industry. Organizers argue that legalization would reduce low-level cannabis arrests, generate tax revenue, and give adult consumers the same legal protections already enjoyed in many other states. They also point to growing voter support, noting that the 2024 amendment received 56 percent approval, falling just short of Florida’s 60 percent supermajority requirement for constitutional changes.

Signature Drive and Legal Challenges

To qualify for the ballot, the amendment must collect at least 880,062 verified signatures from registered voters by February 1, 2026. Campaign officials say more than one million petitions have been submitted statewide, though verification has been complicated by new election laws enacted by the Florida Legislature.

In late 2025, a state court upheld election officials’ decision to invalidate thousands of signatures because petitions did not include the full amendment text, a requirement added under recent changes to Florida’s initiative rules. Rather than appeal the ruling, Smart & Safe Florida shifted its focus to gathering additional signatures to ensure it meets the threshold.

The campaign has also challenged the state’s handling of the petition process, arguing that administrative delays threatened the initiative’s viability. Following legal pressure, state officials confirmed the measure had advanced far enough to trigger formal review by the attorney general and the Florida Supreme Court, a required step before final ballot certification.

Political Opposition

Opposition to recreational marijuana remains strong among Florida’s top Republican leaders, including Ron DeSantis, who campaigned heavily against legalization in 2024. Critics argue the amendment could increase youth access, strain law enforcement resources, and lead to broader public health concerns. Supporters counter that regulation provides more control than prohibition and reflects changing public attitudes nationwide.

What’s Next

If the amendment clears signature verification and survives Supreme Court review of its language, it will appear on the November 2026 ballot, where it must again secure 60 percent voter approval to pass. While that threshold remains a significant hurdle, advocates believe the combination of higher turnout in a presidential-year cycle and shifting views on cannabis could improve its chances.

As the deadline approaches, the Smart & Safe campaign has become a key test of Florida’s citizen-led ballot process—and a potential turning point in the state’s long-running debate over cannabis legalization.