Florida Republicans Take a Step Towards Expanding Marijuana Laws
In a surprising move, Florida Republicans have introduced bills in both the state House and Senate to expand the state’s marijuana laws. The proposed legislation would allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants at home, a key provision missing from last year’s Amendment 3.
The House bill goes even further, permitting recreational use for adults 21 and over. Under the proposed law, adults would be able to purchase up to two ounces of flower and five grams of concentrate. The bill also moves away from the current “seed to sale” model, which requires companies to handle every step of the marijuana production process, and instead allows companies to specialize in specific parts of the industry.
Proponents of the bill, including the Florida Cannabis Action Network, argue that it would increase innovation, entrepreneurialism, and consumer choice. Jodi James, a representative from the network, praised the Republican leadership for listening to the concerns of patients and advocates.
While it’s unclear how much support the bills have overall, the move marks a significant shift for Florida Republicans, who have traditionally been opposed to marijuana legalization. The push for recreational marijuana may not be over, as a renewed effort to put the issue on the ballot for the 2026 election is already underway.
