Recreational Marijuana

New details emerged Friday in the criminal case against a felon accused in between stints in prison of submitting false signatures on a petition supporting a 2022 Florida recreational marijuana initiative.

This week, we draw from the "Our Changing State" podcast to prepare you for the November elections.

The cannabis company donated another $7.5 million to Smart and Safe Florida, while a Vote No on 3 commercial claims the measure was developed to benefit marijuana corporations.

Matthew Peddie, host of "Florida Matters" and the podcast "Our Changing State," speaks with WUSF reporter Sky Lebron about Amendment 3, which would legalize the use of recreational marijuana.

Under Amendment 3, adults would be allowed to possess, purchase or use marijuana products for nonmedical reasons.

In all, Trulieve had contributed about $60.39 million to the committee as of July 19, according to a state Division of Elections database.

Rick Scott became wealthy as a lawyer and health care industry executive before entering politics. Now running for reelection, he lamented that his brother had a “tough life” and says it all began with marijuana.

John Morgan has already cut a series of commercials to support Amendment 3. But don’t expect him to pump millions of his own dollars into the campaign as he did for the medical marijuana amendment.

They include the abortion and recreational marijuana initiatives the Florida Supreme Court signed off on, along with partisan school board elections.

On Florida Matters, Stetson law professor Louis Virelli said the Florida Supreme Court's ruling "shined a very bright light on the importance of the abortion amendment."

The marijuana issue could boost turnout among young voters, who traditionally skew toward Democrats.

The ballot initiative could allow those over 21 to purchase and consume marijuana and make it legal for medical marijuana clinics to sell for recreational use in Florida.