Florida Fianlly Legalizes Medicinal Marijuana After Voters Showed Support In 2016

The last few years have seen marijuana legalization make big in-roads, with some states adopting full legalization instead of just medicinal use. On Monday, another big step was taken in one of the country's most important election battleground states.

Citing the will of the people, Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted a 2017 ban on smokable medical marijuana. Florida will now be the 34th state to allow medical marijuana use.

The bill moved forward after voters approved medical marijuana in 2016. It was then followed by a ban by then-Gov. Rick Scott.

After assuming office in January, DeSantis asked for legislation from the state senate that would legalize medicinal marijuana by March, which was co-sponsored by Republican State Sen. Jeff Brandes and Democratic Sen. Linda Stewart.

"Over 70 percent of Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016. I thank my colleagues in the Legislature for working with me to ensure the will of the voters is upheld," DeSantis said in a statement.

The new law will allow patients to receive two-and-a-half ounces of whole flower cannabis every 35 days. Patients under 18 will also be able to smoke if they get a second opinion from a pediatrician and have a terminal disease.

Brandes expressed optimism about the possibility of recreational legalization.

"I think the likelihood that it passes is pretty good in 2022 or 2024, and we should prepare for its passage," he said.