Campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida takes DeSantis administration to state Supreme Court

OG article by local news November 3, 2025

The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida is suing Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration in the state's Supreme Court, alleging state elections officials are trying to improperly block the measure from getting on the ballot in 2026.

Smart & Safe Florida alleges the Department of State has failed to verify over 1.2 million petition signatures—three times the required amount—delaying the process and risking the April 1, 2026, deadline for Supreme Court review.

The lawsuit accuses officials of ignoring “indisputable facts and their clear legal obligation.”

This marks the latest escalation in a years-long battle between progressive ballot initiatives and the DeSantis administration, which successfully opposed 2024 marijuana and abortion amendments using state resources.