On Monday, January 13, pro-cannabis lobbyists in Florida succumbed to the realization that a recreational cannabis legalization initiative won’t be making its way to the 2020 ballot. Instead, activists say that they will work on a measure in 2022.

Just a couple of weeks ago, cannabis advocates were hopeful that the measure would qualify. It had already gained over 700,000 signatures, but there wasn’t enough time to get the signatures verified ahead of the February deadline.

“With the support of over 67 percent of Florida voters, Make it Legal Florida is proud to have gathered more than 700,000 signed petitions in the effort to bring adult-use cannabis to the Sunshine State,” said the group’s chairman Nick Hansen. “The narrow timeframe to submit and verify those signatures has prompted our committee to shift focus and now gain ballot access in 2022.”

In order to get on the 2020 ballot, Florida’s recreational cannabis proposition needed to collect a total of 766,200 valid signatures. Although considerably close, the pro-cannabis movement fell short of the required amount; even though fundraising efforts surpassed $4.8 million in December.

A different campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in Florida also lacked the necessary amount of valid signatures before the deadline.

Make It Legal Florida is pushing forward with lawsuit 

Prior to Make It Legal Florida’s announcement that a legalization measure won’t gain ballot access during the 2020 legislative session, the pro-cannabis organization proceeded to file a lawsuit with the state Supreme Court. Upon learning that the review deadline would not be met in time, members of the organization objected to a new law that severely restricted the signature-gathering process.

Based on the law, signatures would need to have been verified 30 days ahead of the February 1 deadline, meaning that signatures submitted on January 30 would be exempt from inclusion in the final amount.

Fortunately, hope prevails. Something else that happened on January 13 was the submission of a bill – initiated by Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes – to legalize adult-use cannabis in Florida. As per the details of this bill, vertical integration would not be a necessity for cannabis businesses to participate in Florida’s recreational market. This would effectively simplify the process of getting involved in a market where the population rests at 21.5 million and public support for the herb is high.

Make It Legal Florida’s proposition – if it was given the go-ahead with voter approval – would have enabled adults aged 21 above to consume, possess, buy and transport a maximum of 2.5 ounces of cannabis. Additionally, medical cannabis dispensaries currently in operation would’ve been granted the opportunity to integrate recreational products into their operations.

Fewer people expected to vote on cannabis legalization in Florida at 2022 legislative session

Since the year 2022 will be a midterm year, cannabis industry analysts predict that less voters will try to get a ballot initiative approved two years from now. It’s a shame for cannabis advocates in Florida, what with The Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act of 2014 failing as a result of poor voter turnout; an amended version was subsequently approved at the 2016 presidential election. 

However, a lot could happen within the space of two years to ensure Floridians vote. For example, more research into the plant’s safety may further bolster acceptance of its use on a recreational scale. Plus, with a fresh poll straight out of St. Leo University revealing that 60 percent of Floridians want legal weed, a 2022 vote might not do so badly after all.