(The Center Square) – Proponents of ballot initiatives that would legalize recreational marijuana and enshrine abortion rights in the Florida constitution have raised millions.
The two initiatives are among six that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot and will require a 60% vote to earn a place in the state’s constitution.
Smart & Safe Florida is behind Florida Amendment 3, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative. It would allow residents age 21 or older the ability to purchase and consume marijuana for recreational, nonmedicinal purposes.
According to the Florida Department of State, the political committee has raised $66.6 million toward the effort and has spent $54 million.
Nearly $59.8 million since 2022 has come from one donor, Clearwater-based cannabis retailer Trulieve Cannabis.
The two opposition groups, Florida Voters Against Extremism and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Freedom Fund, have raised only $125,100.
In 2016, Florida voters by 71%-29% adopted a medical marijuana initiative.
Amendment 4 would provide a constitutional right to abortion before a fetus was viable outside the womb, or if needed to protect a women’s health.
Floridians Protecting Freedom is the group that is behind the initiative. According to state data, it has raised nearly $39.6 million and spent $23.2 million.
The biggest donor is the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, an Oklahoma-based group that has contributed $5 million. Democrat activist Marsha Laufer has donated $4.6 million.
Opposition groups such as Florida Voters Against Extremism and Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Florida Freedom Fund have been swamped in the fundraising battle, raising only $368,650.
The other four amendments on the ballot deal with various issues.
Amendment 1 would change school board elections to partisan beginning in November 2026. Amendment 2 would establish a constitutional right to hunt and fish.
Amendment 5 would mandate an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption. Amendment 6 would strike a constitutional provision providing public campaign financing for candidates who agree to spending limits.
Published August 14, 2024
