DeSantis administration launches probe into marijuana referendum petitions in Broward County

OG article by Amanda Batchelor and Christina Vazquez

January 28, 2026

The DeSantis administration deployed state election crimes investigators to Broward County’s elections headquarters in Fort Lauderdale this week to probe marijuana referendum petitions processed by the Supervisor of Elections Office. Investigators visited Monday and Tuesday, with more expected Wednesday. The office stated neither it nor Supervisor Joe Scott is under investigation. Scott clarified the focus is on circulators terminated for petition fraud by Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind the proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older—a measure Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes. Smart & Safe Florida issued a statement on the matter. The probe highlights scrutiny on signature-gathering for the initiative amid ongoing debates over cannabis legalization in Florida. No further details on findings or scope were immediately released, but the investigation underscores political tensions surrounding the referendum effort.