Poll Suggests Support for Recreational Cannabis in Florida

Published on: December 15, 2023

As a proposed constitutional amendment is debated in court, recent surveys of registered voters reveal approval ratings.

A recent poll suggests that a majority of voters in Florida would approve of legalizing cannabis for recreational purposes (1). The poll was conducted from November 6 through 26, 2023 by the University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) and asked registered voters how they would vote on “another proposed state constitutional amendment to that would allow adults in Florida to purchase and possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use,” among other issues (1,2). Out of a total of 716 respondents, 67% responded yes and 28% responded no (2).

In a similar poll conducted by PORL earlier this year, 70% of respondents indicated they would support recreational cannabis, and in another PORL poll in 2022, 76% of respondents supported it (2).

The decline in approval could be due to the information being presented to the respondents. “Unlike previous surveys when we simply asked if folks support or oppose legalization of recreational marijuana, this time we gave respondents the specifics of this proposed amendment,” explained Michael Binder, PORL faculty director (2). “Yet again, it looks like it has a good chance of passing, if the measure makes it through the courts, and that is a very big ‘if'."

Several attempts have been made in past years to legalize recreational cannabis (1). Cannabis for medical uses became legal in Florida in 2016 through a constitutional amendment approved by over 70% of voters, and there are over 600 dispensaries in the state (1).

In November, the Florida Supreme Court heard arguments over the Florida Marijuana Legalization Initiative, a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Smart & Safe Florida (1). The measure could appear on the 2024 ballot, and if approved by a supermajority of voters, the initiative would make cannabis legal for adults ages 21 and older and allow possession of up to three ounces of cannabis (1).

References

Hamacher, B. Legal weed in Florida? voters may soon decide on recreational marijuana law https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/legal-weed-in-florida-voters-may-soon-decide-on-recreational-marijuana-law/3171810/ (accessed Dec 14, 2023).
UNF Poll: Florida Voters Most Concerned About Housing Costs, Economy. PORL Public Opinion Research Lab. University of North Florida November 30, 2023.