Federal Court Rules in Favor of Free Speech Rights in Marijuana Ballot Initiative Fight
A federal judge has ruled in favor of Smart and Safe Florida, a group gathering signatures for an adult-use marijuana ballot initiative, by blocking the enforcement of a state law that restricts non-residents and non-citizens from collecting signatures. The judge found that the law violates the First Amendment rights to political speech and petitioning the government.
The law, which was passed in 2022, aimed to regulate petition gathering in Florida. However, the judge ruled that the section of the law that restricts non-residents and non-citizens from collecting signatures imposes a “severe burden on political expression” and is unconstitutional.
The judge’s ruling is a significant victory for the group, which has been gathering signatures to put the adult-use marijuana initiative on the ballot. The group’s attorney, Glenn Burhans, argued that the law was unconstitutional and that it would prevent the group from collecting enough signatures to put the initiative on the ballot.
The ruling comes after a similar order was issued by a federal appeals court, which blocked the enforcement of the law against non-residents and non-citizens. The judge’s ruling is a significant victory for the group and for the First Amendment rights of all citizens.
The group’s initiative aims to legalize recreational adult-use marijuana in Florida, and it has been gathering signatures to put the issue on the ballot. The group’s attorney, Glenn Burhans, argued that the law was unconstitutional and that it would prevent the group from collecting enough signatures to put the initiative on the ballot.
The judge’s ruling is a significant victory for the group and for the First Amendment rights of all citizens. It is a reminder that the government cannot restrict the rights of citizens to petition the government and exercise their First Amendment rights.
In a statement, the group’s attorney, Glenn Burhans, said, “We are thrilled that the court has recognized the importance of protecting the First Amendment rights of all citizens, including non-residents and non-citizens. This ruling is a significant victory for our initiative and for the people of Florida who want to have a say in the legalization of recreational adult-use marijuana.”
The group’s initiative is expected to be on the ballot in 2024, and it will be up to the voters of Florida to decide whether to legalize recreational adult-use marijuana.
