Election nights are usually high-stakes, but the 2024 cycle felt especially heavy. Everyone was looking at "Amendment 3." Depending on where you live, that name meant two completely different things. In Florida, it was about weed. In Missouri, it was about abortion.
If you're looking for a quick "yes" or "no," it's complicated. One state celebrated a massive win for reproductive rights. The other saw a multi-million dollar legalization campaign go up in smoke despite getting more than half the votes.
Honestly, the "did Amendment 3 pass" question is the perfect example of how weird American state laws can be. You can have a majority of people wanting something and still lose. That's exactly what happened in the Sunshine State.
The Florida Heartbreak: Why 56% Wasn't Enough
Let's talk about Florida first because this is where most of the confusion stems from. On November 5, 2024, nearly six million Floridians walked into booths and voted "Yes" on Amendment 3 to legalize recreational marijuana.
That is a lot of people. It’s 55.9% of the voters, to be precise. In almost any other election, that's a landslide victory. But Florida has a brutal rule: constitutional amendments need a 60% supermajority to pass.
Because the "Yes" votes hit 55.9% and not 60%, the measure failed.
Basically, the amendment is dead for now. Governor Ron DeSantis was a massive opponent of the bill, arguing that it would make the state "smell like marijuana." He used significant state resources to campaign against it, and it worked. Even with a public endorsement from Donald Trump, the "No" side managed to keep the "Yes" camp just 4% short of the finish line.
- Final Result: Failed.
- The Vibe: Legalization advocates are frustrated because the "will of the people" (the majority) was blocked by the supermajority requirement.
- What’s Next: Medical marijuana stays legal, but you still need a card. If you're caught with recreational weed, the old penalties still apply.
Missouri’s Massive Shift: Reproductive Freedom Wins
Now, hop over to Missouri. Their Amendment 3 was a totally different beast. This one was the "Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative."
Missouri has been a tough place for abortion access. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, the state moved incredibly fast to trigger a near-total ban. But on election night 2024, the tide turned.
Missouri Amendment 3 passed with 51.6% of the vote. Unlike Florida, Missouri only requires a simple majority (over 50%) for constitutional amendments. It was close—about a 3-point margin—but a win is a win.
What does this actually change in Missouri?
It's pretty huge. The amendment enshrines the right to make decisions about reproductive care, including abortion and birth control, into the state constitution.
It doesn't mean everything changed at midnight, though. There’s always a lag. The amendment officially took effect in December 2024, but the legal battles started almost immediately. By February 2025, clinics were finally able to start offering services again.
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But here is the twist: Missouri lawmakers are already trying to undo it. They’ve been pushing for a new vote in 2026 to basically "repeal and replace" what voters just approved. It's a constant tug-of-war.
Breaking Down the "Did Amendment 3 Pass" Confusion
It’s easy to see why people are Googling this and getting mixed signals. If you see a headline saying "Amendment 3 Passes!" it’s likely about Missouri. If you see "Amendment 3 Defeated!" it’s Florida.
| State | Primary Topic | Result | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Recreational Marijuana | Failed | Got 55.9%, but needed 60%. |
| Missouri | Abortion Rights | Passed | Got 51.6%, only needed >50%. |
Politics is weirdly local. In Florida, the "Smart & Safe Florida" campaign spent over $150 million—mostly from Trulieve—making it the most expensive cannabis ballot initiative in history. In Missouri, the battle was more about grassroots signatures and a furious legal fight to even get the thing on the ballot in the first place.
The DeSantis Factor in Florida
You can't talk about Florida's Amendment 3 without mentioning the Governor. Ron DeSantis went all-in. He didn't just give speeches; his administration ran "public service announcements" that many critics called taxpayer-funded anti-pot ads.
The opposition focused heavily on "big weed" corporate interests and the lack of a "home grow" option. They told voters that if this passed, they’d never be able to escape the smell of weed in public parks. Whether that's true or not is up for debate, but the strategy worked. It convinced just enough people to stay home or vote no to keep the count under that 60% mark.
What Happens Now? Actionable Next Steps
If you're in Florida and you were hoping for a legal spark, you're back to the drawing board. The medical market is still there, and it’s actually quite large. If you have a qualifying condition, that is your only legal path. Expect another push for the 2026 or 2028 ballot, likely with different language to address the "home grow" complaints.
If you're in Missouri, the landscape has shifted, but you need to stay vigilant. The right is technically in the constitution now, but "regulation" is the new keyword. The state can still regulate abortion after "fetal viability" (usually around 24 weeks) as long as they don't jeopardize the health of the mother.
For Missouri residents:
- Check with local providers like Planned Parenthood for the current status of services, as court rulings can fluctuate.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 ballot. There is a very real effort to bring a "Prohibit Abortion" amendment back to the voters.
For Florida residents:
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- Do not assume the 56% "Yes" vote protects you. Police are still enforcing possession laws for non-medical users.
- If you are a medical patient, make sure your registry ID is up to date, as the state legislature may tweak medical rules in the wake of the recreational failure.
The 2024 results proved one thing: the specific rules of your state's constitution matter just as much as the number of people who show up to vote.