Florida Supreme Court greenlights referendum on recreational marijuana

The Florida Supreme Court has permitted an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana in the Sunshine State to appear on the ballot in the November contest.

Florida GOP Attorney General Ashley Moody had asked the court to reject the initiative's language, though the justices ruled 5-2 that the measure could appear on the November ballot, Politico reported.

"We do not believe the summary would confuse a voter into thinking that the Legislature is required to authorize additional licenses. It clearly states that the amendment legalizes adult personal possession and use of marijuana as a matter of Florida law," wrote Justice Jamie Grosshans in the majority opinion on Thursday.

The measure was organized by the Smart & Safe Florida committee and will need 60% support from voters to take effect.

The ruling came the same day that the court permitted a November ballot referendum on expanding abortion access to 24 weeks of pregnancy, while also upholding a 15-week ban.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.