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Recreational marijuana won't make 2020 Florida ballot

Posted at 8:16 AM, Jan 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-14 10:16:52-05

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A group fighting to get recreational marijuana on the November ballot announced it is setting its sights on 2022.

The political committee, Make It Legal Florida, released a statement on Monday saying the narrow time frame to submit and verify more than 700,000 signatures prompted the group to instead focus on making the 2022 ballot.

With that being said, the chances of recreational marijuana to voters is out this calendar year.

Hours after the announcement, state Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) filed a similar bill that would give lawmakers control of the issue.

The bill -- SB 1860, or the Availability of Marijuana for Adult Use -- would legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 and older.

Nick Hansen, the chairman of Make It Legal Florida, released the following statement:

"With the support of over 67 percent of Florida voters, Make it Legal Florida is proud to have gathered more than 700,000 signed petitions in the effort to bring adult-use cannabis to the Sunshine State.

The narrow timeframe to submit and verify those signatures has prompted our committee to shift focus to now gain ballot access in 2022.

We're looking forward to Supreme Court review of our efforts and working in collaboration with state leaders to ensure the supermajority of Floridians' voices are heard."

This story was originally published by staff at WFTS.