Florida: Voters Pass Amendment Restoring Voting Rights To Marijuana Felons

Originally published at blog.NORML.org

Florida voters today passed Amendment 4, which amends the state constitution to restore voting privileges to those with non-violent felony convictions.

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.