Under Florida law, first-time possession of marijuana in amounts greater than 20 grams (less than one ounce) is classified under state law as a felony offense. Only one other state, Arizona, classifies minor marijuana offenses so punitively.
Commenting on the vote result, NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said: “Florida is a national leader in annual marijuana arrests. In many cases, those arrested are charged with felony offenses for simple possession. Passage of Amendment 4 restores voting privileges to those tens of thousands of Floridians who have been stigmatized by a felony marijuana conviction, and makes it clear that the collateral consequences of a non-violent drug possession conviction should not forever bar one from participating in the democratic process.”
In 2016, Floridians passed a separate constitutional amendment regulating medical cannabis access to qualified patients.