Florida’s push to legalize recreational marijuana has entered a more volatile phase as state officials and campaign organizers trade accusations just weeks before a critical signature deadline.
State AG James Uthmeier stated that his office has opened dozens of new investigations tied to alleged election-related crimes connected to the ballot effort, a move that supporters of the initiative describe as politically motivated.
Smart and Safe Florida, the group leading the legalization push, rejected the claims. The group has until February 1 to deliver more than 880,000 verified signatures from registered voters. If the proposal reaches the ballot, it would still need approval from at least 60% of voters statewide to take effect.
The DeSantis administration has consistently opposed broader cannabis access, and the legalization effort has encountered resistance at nearly every stage. Uthmeier accused 50 individuals hired to collect signatures for the campaign of committing fraud. He alleged that petitions were submitted without voter permission and that some signatures were forged, including names belonging to people who have died.
According to a letter dated January 20 from State Prosecutor Brad McVay, 9 campaign workers have already been taken into custody. McVay also indicated that additional arrest warrants could be issued in the coming days. The same letter requested authorization to issue subpoenas directly to Smart and Safe Florida to examine whether the organization itself violated election statutes.
The expanded criminal inquiry follows reports of mounting pressure on county election offices to invalidate petitions that had already been accepted. Campaign representatives say that they are complying with election rules and flagging any irregularities to state officials as required. A spokesperson suggested that the attorney general’s criticism stems from the campaign’s strict adherence to those regulations.
Legal battles are also playing out in court. Both the campaign and the state are involved in lawsuits over the legitimacy of thousands of signatures already submitted. Last week, a judge in Leon County ordered roughly 29,000 petitions gathered by out-of-state workers to be thrown out. The campaign appealed that decision.
Uthmeier’s role has drawn scrutiny as well. Before becoming attorney general, he served as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff during the 2024 election cycle, when cannabis legalization last appeared before voters. During that period, about $10 million from a Medicaid settlement was directed into a political fund overseen by Uthmeier. Advocates for legalization argue that the money was improperly used to campaign against the measure, an accusation the administration has denied.
Florida is currently the nation’s largest medical-use market, making it a key target for companies seeking broader legalization. Still, public support appears to have softened. A recent survey commissioned by the Florida Chamber of Commerce found that only 51% of respondents back legal marijuana, the weakest showing for the idea in four years.
Many firms like Cresco Labs Inc. (CSE: CL) (OTCQX: CRLBF) are likely to be concerned about the escalating relations between the Florida state government and the advocates seeking to put the legalization measure on the state ballot since ordinary residents could lose out on having their voices heard on the matter.
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