Judge voids 200K petitions in blow to legalizing marijuana in Florida

AI-assisted summary

A Florida judge ruled against a recreational marijuana initiative, invalidating over 200,000 petition signatures.

The state argued the petitions were illegal because the form was changed without approval and did not include the full amendment text.

The political committee, Smart & Safe Florida, argued the form was not altered and plans to appeal the decision.

Siding with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration, a Leon County circuit judge on Friday ruled that state officials did not err when ordering supervisors of elections to scrap more than 200,000 petition signatures supporting a proposed constitutional amendment to allow recreational marijuana.

Circuit Judge John Cooper’s ruling wiped out roughly a third of the signatures submitted by the Smart & Safe Florida politi