Florida ballot initiative restrictions are tightening, making it harder for citizen-led campaigns to succeed. A new bill backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis introduces stricter petitioning rules, including a $1 million bond requirement, a ban on out-of-state petitioners, and a shorter timeframe to submit signatures. Supporters claim these measures will prevent fraud, but opponents argue they suppress voter-driven initiatives, especially marijuana legalization efforts.
The 2026 Smart & Safe Florida campaign aims to legalize marijuana through a ballot initiative, but these new restrictions could make the process nearly impossible. In 2024, a similar effort gained majority support but failed to meet Florida’s 60% threshold for constitutional amendments. Despite strong voter backing—67% of Floridians now support legalization—Republican lawmakers have repeatedly challenged these initiatives in court.
The proposed bill also increases penalties for election violations and allows voters to retract their signatures, adding more hurdles. Critics argue this is a direct attempt to block marijuana legalization, as DeSantis and other officials have opposed placing such measures in the state Constitution.
With the Florida Supreme Court likely to review the latest legalization proposal, the future of marijuana reform in the state remains uncertain. If these ballot restrictions pass, advocates may have to shift their efforts toward legislative action instead of relying on voter-driven initiatives.
