If you were watching the news on election night 2024, you probably saw a weirdly high number of people looking confused. Most states, you get 51% of the vote, and you’re popping champagne. Not in Florida. Not for constitutional changes.
The final florida amendment 3 poll results didn't just tell us how people felt about weed; they exposed a massive gap between public opinion and the state's brutal legal reality.
Nearly 6 million people—5,950,589 to be exact—voted "Yes." That’s a lot of Floridians. In fact, it was 55.9% of the total vote. In almost any other context, that’s a landslide victory. But because of a 2006 rule that requires a 60% supermajority to change the state constitution, the amendment died on the vine.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Most of the state wanted recreational marijuana legalized, but it still didn’t happen.
The Disconnect Between the Polls and the Booth
Leading up to November 5, 2024, the polls were all over the place, but they generally hinted at a win. Some firms like the University of North Florida (UNF) were seeing support as high as 66% just weeks before the election.
- UNF Public Opinion Research Lab (Oct 2024): 66% Yes
- Emerson College (Oct 2024): 60% Yes
- Stetson University (Oct 2024): 64% Yes
- Mason-Dixon (Oct 2024): 58% Yes
So, what happened? Why did the actual result come in at 55.9%?
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Honestly, it looks like a mix of late-stage campaigning and "poll fatigue." While the "Yes on 3" campaign, largely funded by Trulieve to the tune of over $140 million, flooded the airwaves, the opposition was playing a different game. Governor Ron DeSantis used his platform (and some state-funded PSA slots) to hammer home a message of "smell" and "corporate monopoly."
By the time people actually got to the ballot box, those undecideds in the middle—the ones the polls were counting as "lean yes"—kinda just broke for "No" or didn't show up for that specific question.
The DeSantis Factor and the "Smell" Argument
You can't talk about the florida amendment 3 poll results without talking about the Governor. He made it personal. DeSantis didn't just argue against the policy; he argued against the lifestyle. He famously claimed that if the amendment passed, the state would "start to smell like marijuana in our cities and towns."
It was a visceral argument. It targeted older voters who might be okay with the idea of legalization but were terrified of their neighborhood park turning into a Phish concert.
And look at the numbers:
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- Seniors (65+): Only about 47% supported the measure.
- Young Voters (18-49): A massive 69% were in favor.
The seniors won this round. They vote in higher numbers, and they were the most susceptible to the "quality of life" arguments pushed by the Florida Freedom Fund.
A Massive Money Pit
This was the most expensive cannabis-related ballot measure in U.S. history. Seriously. We’re talking about roughly $153 million spent by the "Smart & Safe Florida" campaign. Compare that to the opposition, which raised about $33 million.
Usually, when you outspend the "No" side 5-to-1, you win.
But Florida is different. The 60% threshold acts as a natural stabilizer—or a barrier, depending on who you ask. Because the "Yes" side had to reach such a high bar, every single "No" vote was worth more than a "Yes" vote.
Why didn't the Trump endorsement help?
This was one of the weirder twists. Donald Trump, a Florida resident himself, actually came out in support of Amendment 3. He said it was going to happen anyway and that people shouldn't be getting arrested for something that’s legal in so many other places.
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You’d think a Trump endorsement in a state he won by double digits would be the clincher. It wasn't. It seems Republican voters in Florida were more willing to follow DeSantis’s lead on local social issues than Trump’s.
The Regional Divide: Where it Won and Lost
If you look at the map, Florida is basically two different states. The "Yes" votes were concentrated in the urban hubs and the college towns.
- Alachua County (Gainesville): 66.39% Yes
- Leon County (Tallahassee): Over 60% Yes
- Broward County: 60.36% Yes
- Miami-Dade: 58% Yes
Meanwhile, the "No" votes came from the Panhandle and the rural interior. Places like Lafayette County saw support as low as 37%.
What Happens Now?
Since the amendment failed, the status quo remains. Medical marijuana is still legal, but you need a card, a qualifying condition, and a recurring fee to the state.
- The Legislature's Move: Don't expect the Florida Legislature to take this up on their own. They’ve historically been against recreational use, which is why the proponents had to go the "citizen initiative" route in the first place.
- The 2026 Horizon: There’s already talk of a 2026 attempt. However, organizers are exhausted, and the money might not be as easy to come by next time.
- The "Home Grow" Problem: One reason some pro-marijuana advocates actually voted against Amendment 3 was the lack of a "home grow" provision. The amendment only allowed for corporate sales. If a future version includes the right to grow your own plants, it might pick up that extra 4% it needs.
Actionable Insights for Florida Residents
If you’re a supporter of legalization, the florida amendment 3 poll results are a roadmap. They show that a simple majority is easy, but a supermajority requires a different kind of coalition.
- Check Your Registration: Turnout among young voters was high, but not high enough to overcome the senior block. If you want change in 2026, it starts with consistent local voting.
- Medical Options: If you were waiting for recreational to pass to manage a health issue, the medical program is your only legal path for now. You’ll need to see a state-certified doctor to get started.
- Watch the Language: Next time an amendment hits the ballot, look for "Home Grow" or "Local Control" clauses. Those are the details that flipped enough "Yes" voters to "No" to tank the 2024 effort.
The 60% rule is a beast. It’s killed amendments on medical marijuana before (back in 2014), and it’ll likely kill more in the future. In Florida, the majority rules, but only if that majority is huge.
Next Steps for You:
- Review the Florida Department of State's official 2024 certification to see exactly how your specific precinct voted.
- If you are a medical patient, ensure your registry ID is up to date, as the failure of Amendment 3 means no changes to the current dispensary system for at least another two years.
- Monitor the "Smart & Safe Florida" filings for early 2026 to see if a new petition drive begins this summer.