Cannabis|Black, Florida, marijuana, THC, law
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 20, 2024

Florida Is Closer to Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, But THC Would Be Capped At 30%

The state of Florida could be closer to legalizing recreational marijuana. However, if passed, users would have a THC limit of 30%.

The state of Florida could be inching closer to legalizing recreational marijuana this November. However, if passed, users would have a THC limit of 30%.

On Monday, HB 1269 was referred to the House calendar to see if the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the psychoactive compound in marijuana – would be capped to just 30% in smokable flower and 60% in concentrates, WFLA reports. The bill was first introduced by Rep. Ralph Massullo (R-Lecanto) on Jan. 5 as Potency for Adult Personal Use of Marijuana.

In addition to the caps on THC and concentrates, edibles would have to be less than 200mg THC per package and vaporizer cartridges would be restricted to one gram. This comes after the petition to get adult-use marijuana on the November ballot gathered over a million verified signatures.

Lawmakers think the new measure could meet the 60% threshold required to go into effect after the election. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has even acknowledged that voters will likely get to weigh in on the issue this upcoming election.

The shift follows a November 2023 poll from the University of North Florida that found a substantial number of Floridians support the Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion and the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana initiative.

The initial proposal on personal marijuana use advocated for a 10% restriction on smokable marijuana, a threshold notably lower than the majority of other states where marijuana is legal for recreational use. However, the limits for edibles align with those established in other states.

“Personal use” in the bill is defined as “possession, purchase, or use of 26 marijuana or a marijuana delivery device by an adult 21 years of age or older for nonmedical consumption.” Petitions to protect Floridians’ personal marijuana use without restrictions remain ongoing.

The state’s highest court has not yet made a ruling on whether the measure will be included on the November ballot. Nevertheless, the bill received approval from two predominantly Republican House committees. If passed, the House bill and Senate counterpart would become effective 30 days following the enactment of adult-use marijuana legislation.


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