Florida tries legalization again 🦩

FLORIDA
The Sunshine State tries again

What happened: Floridians may have another shot at legalization. 

Smart & Safe Florida, the Trulieve-backed group behind the campaign last year, filed a new proposal to legalize cannabis in Florida via a constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot. 

The new measure tries to address much of the concerns of those against legalization, including banning smoking in public places and marketing restrictions. But establishing many of the rules for the regulated market would still be kicked to the state legislature.

Why it matters: Fifty-six percent of Floridians voted for legalization in November, though the measure ultimately did not clear the 60% threshold needed to become law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis used his bully pulpit to rail against legalization last year. It’s expected he may do so again. And it’s also unclear if the second attempt will clear the 60% threshold — it’s a high bar, even for something as popular and bipartisan as cannabis reform.

But the fact remains: The cannabis industry sorely needs a win. Florida is a huge, economically powerful state with a lot of consumers. It would quickly become one of the largest cannabis markets in the US. And Trump also previously supported legalization in his adopted home state — he may try and tip the scales yet again.

It’s worth another shot.

What’s next? Smart & Safe will need to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot. 

And more: Indiana Republicans introduced a bill that would legalize cannabis in the state, but it may be a long shot. 

-JB

It doesn’t seem like New Hampshire is going to join its neighbors in legalizing cannabis anytime soon.

“To me, that ship has sailed,” New Hampshire House Majority Leader Jason Osborne said in an interview. “I mean, we had an opportunity with the last governor to put that issue behind us, and we, frankly, blew it. So, I don't imagine coming back to that for another decade, probably.”

“We elected a governor to lead the state, and that is not a priority for her, and so that is not a priority for me or the rest of us, at this point.”

A legalization bill almost passed the state’s legislature last year, but was killed at the last minute by House Democrats over the bill’s state-run dispensary model. Incoming Governor Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes legalization — and New Hampshire residents can now easily drive to Maine or Vermont or Massachusetts to purchase legal cannabis.

Colorado Springs city council wants to vote on allowing cannabis sales — again 👀

Weeks after residents voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana sales in Colorado Springs, elected leaders are considering putting the issue back on the ballot in April, saying “people who voted “yes” could have been mistaken,” The Colorado Sun reports.

FDA solicits comments on cannabis-derived veterinary medicine 🌿

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Pittsburgh storeowner charged for selling THCa 🤔

Two Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania storeowners were arrested on charges for selling THCa — a form of cannabis they maintain is federally legal, CBS News reports.

NRA speaks out on “confusing” cannabis rules 🔫 

The National Rifle Association called out the “confusing” regulatory environment for gun owners that use cannabis in a blog post. The NRA says that many cannabis consumers are “law-abiding” citizens and productive members of their community who want to keep the right to bear arms. Read it here.

Daily cannabis use associated with more exercise — and alcohol 🚶‍♀️

Cannabis consumers tend to be more physically active on days they consume cannabis — but they also drink more alcohol and smoke more cigarettes, according to a new study published in the journal Addictive Behaviors. Read it here.

Eighty-three percent of Americans say it’s okay to consume THC during the increasingly popular “Dry January,” according to a new survey from cannabis brand Stiizy and conducted by DKC Analytics.

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