Recreational weed in Florida to be on 2024 ballot. Here's what to know

Florida voters will finally have the opportunity to legalize recreational marijuana usage after a proposed initiative received almost one million verified signatures, allowing it to officially qualify for the 2024 general election ballot.

The measure has received more than 967,000 valid signatures, according to Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign pushing the measure and backed by Trulieve, one of Florida's biggest medical marijuana providers. The petition needed 891,523 valid signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot.

If the measure passes in next year's election, it would allow anyone 21 years old and up to use and possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana among a slew of other changes to the state's current marijuana laws.

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Here's what Florida voters need to know to make an informed decision in 2024.

The ballot would legalize marijuana for adults age 21 or older for personal use, to possess, use, process and transport marijuana, marijuana products and accessories. It also allows cultivating nine live marijuana plants per adult with an eighteen-plant maximum per household.

Here's a full look at what the amendment would and wouldn't do.

Legalizes for adults:

Also: The legislature would not be allowed to enact laws to limit the Tetrahydrocannabinol content of marijuana or marijuana products.

What to know:

The petition can be read in full here, which fully outlines the proposed constitutional amendments.

While medical marijuana is legal in Florida, there are still many laws in place that prohibit the possession, selling and transporting of marijuana, marijuana products and accessories. NORML, a group that has advocated for cannabis since 1970, succinctly lays out Florida's current marijuana laws.

Possession charges can have a wide range of penalties. Possessing 20 grams or less is a misdemeanor charge that could lead to one year of jail time and a $1,000 maximum fine. Possessing more than 20 grams becomes a felony and could result in up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. Incarceration times go all the way up to 30 years and fines can reach as high as $200,00.

Possessing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park or other specified areas is a felony with a mandatory three-year jail sentence and fines up to $10,000.

Possession of paraphernalia is a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.

Selling 20 grams of marijuana or less without remuneration is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Selling more than 20 grams is a felony charge punishable with jail time up to 30 years and $200,000 in fines, depending on the volume and whether the sale occurred within 1,000 feet of a school, park, college or other specified area.

Possession of hashish or concentrates and selling, manufacturing or delivering these products are felony crimes that can face up to 15 years in jail with fines ranging between $5,000 and $10,000.

All states criminalize driving under the influence of controlled substances. Laws regarding driving while impaired range depending on jurisdictions.

Driving while impaired

All states criminalize driving under the influence of controlled substances. Laws regarding driving while impaired range depending on jurisdictions.

Some Florida municipalities have made efforts to reduce or eliminate local penalties for marijuana-related violations. NORML has identified over 120 cities throughout the country in the past decade that have passed ordinances reducing those penalties.

In Florida, 15 municipalities have enacted such laws:

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No. Per Florida Statute 381.986, residents must have a medical marijuana card issued by the state after patients receive a recommendation from a certified physician.

No, you can't walk into a medical marijuana dispensary in Florida without a card. However, there are a few exceptions.

Patients already registered in the state's Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) registry who don't have their medical marijuana card on their person can use their driver's license instead.

Designated caregivers of qualified patients can get authorization to get a separate state caregiver ID card through a certification process. Starting on June 12, non-close relatives applying for a caregiver ID must complete a level 2 background screening through a Livescan Service Provider.

No. Florida does not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. Seasonal Florida residents qualify for a state medical marijuana card, provided they can show proof of residence and live in the state at least 31 consecutive days each year.

Getting a medical marijuana card in Florida is a three-step process involving a diagnosis from a qualified physician for certain medical conditions, registering in Florida's Medical Marijuana Use Registry and applying for a registry ID.

Step 1

Anyone interested in getting medical marijuana card should look and see if they have one of the qualifying medical conditions:

The OMMU provides a tool where users can then search for a nearby qualified physician who can provide a diagnosis and recommendation.

Step 2

Once qualified, the patient's physician will enter them into the registry. The patient must provide the physician with their email to receive a username and temporary password.

Step 3

Patients must then complete an electronic or paper application to receive an ID card. Once an application is approved, a physical ID card will be mailed to the patient. However, a physical medical marijuana ID card isn't needed to shop at dispensaries. Patients can place orders with their driver's license.