Marijuana legalization election results in Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota

In Florida, the proposed Amendment 3 aimed to legalize recreational marijuana for adults over 21 but fell short of the required 60% approval, garnering only a few percentage points below this threshold. The campaign was heavily funded by Trulieve, a major medical marijuana operator, but faced strong opposition from Republican leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, in Nebraska, two measures to legalize medical marijuana received overwhelming support, with 72% and 68% in favor, respectively, indicating a shift towards acceptance of cannabis for medical use.

Outcomes in North Dakota and South Dakota

In North Dakota, voters rejected Initiated Measure 5, which would have allowed for the consumption and sale of recreational marijuana, with the “No” vote leading at 52.5%. Similarly, South Dakota’s Initiated Measure 29, which sought to permit the possession and distribution of marijuana, was also defeated, with approximately 60% of voters opposing it. These results suggest a significant resistance to recreational marijuana legalization in these states, despite ongoing national conversations about cannabis reform.

Broader Implications

The failure of marijuana legalization measures in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota contrasts with the support seen in Nebraska, illustrating the varied attitudes toward cannabis across the United States. These election outcomes may influence future legislative efforts and public discourse surrounding marijuana policy, particularly in states where such measures have been contentious.