Monday’s decision by the Florida Supreme Court approving a cannabis amendment to allow Florida residents to vote on legalizing marijuana for adult use in the November 2024 election has sparked optimistic responses in the cannabis community.
To start with Kim Rivers, CEO From Trulieve Cannabis Corp TCNNFFlorida’s largest marijuana company, which has donated a tidy sum of at least $40 million to the cause, seemed quite pleased in an email to Benzinga.
“We are grateful that the Court correctly found that the ballot initiative and summary language met the standards for single issue and clarity. We look forward to supporting this campaign as it heads to the polls this November,” said Rivers, who is a keynote speaker at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Florida on April 16-17.
See also: Florida Supreme Court approves cannabis legalization bill for November election in blow to DeSantis
Rivers was even more exuberant in a Tweet about X.
Giorgio ArcosCEO and founder of Summer Holdings Corp. VRNOFa multistate cannabis company with at least 74 dispensaries in Florida (and nearly 140 nationwide), also reached out.
“We applaud the Florida Supreme Court’s decision confirming that the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana initiative will be on the ballot this November, solidifying the democratic right of Floridians to vote to end cannabis prohibition in the Sunshine State,” Archos said in an email.
Investment Director Verano Aaron Miles and the president of the company Darren Weiss will also participate in panels at the upcoming Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to be held in Florida on April 16-17.
“As the nation’s largest medical cannabis market, with a large population and significant political influence, Florida has a chance to make history by joining the growing majority of Americans saying ‘yes’ to legally regulated cannabis and the wealth of health, well-being and economic benefits that this incredible plant provides to millions of individuals and countless communities every day,” added Archos.
The proposal, led by Smart and Safe Florida and known as Amendment 3it is “one of the most important cannabis legalization campaigns in recent years,” according to Matthew Schweich, executive director of Marijuana Policy Project.
“The challenge in Florida is reaching the 60% threshold,” said Schweich, who has served as campaign director for six successful cannabis reform ballot initiative campaigns since 2016. “We need a well-funded campaign but, Just as importantly, we need a strong grassroots operation that can mobilize support and attract pro-legalization voters.”
If approved, the initiative would take effect six months after Election Day. The initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower and five grams of concentrate. Medical cannabis dispensaries would be allowed to sell cannabis to adults over the age of 21, while the Legislature would retain the ability to issue more licenses in the future.
THE Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Florida will be held at a new location on April 16-17, 2024. The two-day event in The Diplomatic Beach Resort it’s an opportunity for entrepreneurs, large and small, to network, learn and grow.
Renowned for its trend-setting capabilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars for this conference to be the cannabis world’s event of the year. Get your tickets now bzcannabis.com – Prices will increase very soon!
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Photo: Visit Florida Postcard, Shutterstock