Florida's 2024 election cycle felt like a fever dream for anyone following the constitutional ballot initiatives. It was expensive. It was loud. If you lived in the Sunshine State during that time, you couldn't turn on a TV or open YouTube without being bombarded by ads about amendments 3 and 4 Florida. These two measures—one for legalizing recreational marijuana and the other for protecting abortion access—represented some of the most significant shifts in state policy attempted in decades.
They failed.
Well, "failed" is a tricky word here. In most states, if 57% of people vote for something, it’s a landslide victory. In Florida, it's a loss. Because of a 2006 rule change, constitutional amendments in Florida require a 60% supermajority to pass. This high bar turned the 2024 election into a masterclass in political maneuvering, massive spending, and the power of state-level opposition.
The High Stakes of Amendment 3
Amendment 3 was the big one for the cannabis industry. Specifically, it was the big one for Trulieve, the state’s largest medical marijuana operator, which pumped over $100 million into the "Smart & Safe Florida" campaign. The goal was simple: allow adults 21 and older to possess up to three ounces of cannabis and let existing Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs) start selling to the general public.
It didn't go as planned.
Governor Ron DeSantis became the primary antagonist for this measure. He didn't just express a personal distaste for the "smell" of weed in public spaces; he leveraged state resources to fight it. The Florida Department of Transportation and other agencies ran "public service announcements" that critics argued were thinly veiled campaign ads against the measure.
Why the 60% Threshold Matters
Let’s look at the math because it's wild. Amendment 3 received roughly 55.9% of the vote. In California or Colorado, people would be lighting up in the streets. In Florida, that 4.1% gap represents millions of voters who technically "won" the argument but lost the policy.
Critics of the amendment, including the Florida GOP, argued that the language was written by and for the "Big Weed" monopoly. They claimed it lacked a "home grow" provision, meaning you could buy it, but you couldn't legally grow a plant in your backyard. This created a weird rift. You had some hardcore cannabis advocates actually voting against the amendment because they felt it was a corporate power grab rather than true legalization.
Amendment 4 and the Fight Over Reproductive Rights
If Amendment 3 was about money and personal liberty, Amendment 4 was about the most deeply personal medical decisions imaginable. The "Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion" sought to undo the six-week ban that had been triggered earlier in the year.
The battle was brutal.
The "Yes on 4" campaign, led by Floridians Protecting Freedom, raised staggering amounts of cash, but they faced an unprecedented counter-campaign from the state executive branch. We saw the Florida Department of Health sending cease-and-desist letters to TV stations for airing pro-Amendment 4 ads, claiming they were a "public health nuisance." It was a level of state involvement that legal experts like Dan Gelber and various civil liberties groups called a massive overreach.
The Margin of Defeat
Amendment 4 actually performed better than Amendment 3, pulling in about 57% of the vote. Again, in almost any other context, that’s a mandate. But in the context of amendments 3 and 4 Florida, it was a "no."
The opposition focused heavily on the word "viability." They argued the amendment's language was too vague, claiming it would allow for "abortion up until birth" (a claim medical experts at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists repeatedly debunked as medically inaccurate in the context of standard practice). However, the messaging worked just enough to keep the "Yes" vote under that magical 60% line.
The Financial Fallout
You can't talk about these amendments without talking about the money. We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. For Amendment 3, the sheer scale of investment from Trulieve was unprecedented for a single-state ballot initiative.
When the results came in, the stock market noticed. Shares of major cannabis companies like Ayr Wellness, Verano Holdings, and Curaleaf saw immediate volatility. Investors had priced in a Florida "yes" as a guaranteed revenue stream. When it vanished, the reality set in: Florida would remain a medical-only market for the foreseeable future, protecting the status quo but capping the growth of the industry.
Why These Failed When Other States Succeeded
Florida is a "red" state now. We can stop calling it a swing state. But even in red states like Ohio and Kansas, abortion rights and marijuana have passed recently. So why not Florida?
- The 60% Rule: This is the elephant in the room. It’s a massive hurdle that makes Florida one of the hardest states in the union to change the constitution via popular vote.
- State Resistance: Never underestimate a Governor with a platform. DeSantis successfully framed these not as "rights" issues, but as "quality of life" and "safety" issues.
- Language Complexity: Both amendments were attacked for what they didn't say. Amendment 3 didn't allow home grow. Amendment 4 didn't explicitly define "health care provider." These omissions became the focal point of the "No" campaigns.
Honestly, the fatigue was real. People were tired of the ads. By the time November rolled around, the nuance was lost in a sea of thirty-second soundbites.
What Happens Now?
The dust has settled, but the legal and social battles are just moving to new arenas. If you're wondering what the landscape looks like today, it's a bit of a stalemate.
✨ Don't miss: Dominique Alexander and the Karmelo Anthony Case: What Really Happened
Medical marijuana is still legal and thriving. Florida has one of the most robust medical programs in the country, with over 800,000 active patients. If you have a qualifying condition, you can still get your medication. The "recreational" dream is on ice, likely until 2026 or 2028, unless the legislature decides to take it up—which, let's be real, is unlikely under the current leadership.
On the abortion front, the six-week ban remains the law of the land. This has turned Florida from a regional "hub" for reproductive care into a state with some of the most restrictive laws in the Southeast. Legal challenges continue in lower courts regarding specific interpretations of "medical emergencies," but the constitutional path is closed for now.
Actionable Steps for Florida Residents
If you’re looking to stay involved or navigate the post-election reality of amendments 3 and 4 Florida, here is how you actually move forward:
For Cannabis Advocates:
The focus has shifted back to the Florida Legislature. There is a growing push for "Home Grow" legislation as a standalone bill. While it's an uphill battle, supporting local representatives who favor decriminalization is the current path. Also, if you are a medical patient, ensure your registry ID is up to date, as the state is tightening oversight on certifications.
For Healthcare Access:
With Amendment 4 failing, the focus for many has shifted to "mutual aid" and supporting organizations that help patients travel out of state. Organizations like the Florida Access Network provide resources for those navigating the current six-week restriction.
For Future Voters:
Understand the "Initiative Process." If you want to see a change on the ballot in 2026, the signature-gathering process starts almost immediately. The costs are astronomical—often requiring $10 to $15 per validated signature. If you're passionate about a cause, volunteering for signature verification is actually more impactful than almost any other campaign activity in Florida.
The 60% Rule Challenge:
There is a simmering conversation about a future amendment to lower the threshold back to a simple majority (50% + 1). Ironically, that amendment itself would need 60% to pass. It’s a bit of a "Catch-22," but it’s the only way the dynamics of Florida voting will ever fundamentally change.
The 2024 results proved that while a majority of Floridians might want change, "most" isn't enough. In Florida, you need nearly everyone on board to move the needle.
Stay informed on the legislative sessions in Tallahassee. That’s where the rules for the next round of amendments will be written, often behind closed doors. Keep an eye on the Florida Division of Elections website for new filings; that's where the next attempt to change the state's constitution will first appear, long before the TV ads start running.