As Florida gears up for another potential showdown over recreational cannabis, the debate is no longer just a local affair—it’s a microcosm of the national struggle to reconcile evolving public opinion, entrenched political positions, and the slow-grinding gears of federal reform. The Sunshine State is once again at the center of a battle that combines legal wrangling, shifting voter sentiment, and the broader question of how the United States should treat marijuana in the 21st century.
Efforts to put the question of recreational cannabis before Florida voters in 2026 are intensifying. According to Florida Politics, the pro-recreational group Smart & Safe Florida—well known for its previous lobbying success—has been working to gather the support needed for a constitutional amendment. Their efforts are not without controversy. At issue are some 200,000 petition signatures that had already been verified for the proposed amendment to appear on the ballot. However, the Florida Secretary of State’s Office is now working to invalidate those signatures, claiming Smart & Safe Florida failed to provide a complete copy of the amendment when collecting signatures by mail.
This legal skirmish is just the latest development in a saga that has pitted cannabis advocates against powerful opponents, most notably Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis, who has consistently opposed the legalization of recreational marijuana, remains unmoved by changing tides. He famously argued that legalizing recreational marijuana would make Florida “stink” too much of the burning weed. Yet, even he has acknowledged that his position is out of step with most Floridians. Reflecting on the 2024 referendum that saw 56% of voters in favor—just shy of the 60% required for passage—DeSantis admitted, “And let’s just be honest, they were pushing issues in which probably more people agreed with them than agreed with me or agreed with us,” describing pot as “somewhat popular.” Still, he stands firm in his opposition on moral grounds, even as the winds of public opinion blow in a different direction.
Florida’s experience is not unique. Across the country, the debate over cannabis reform is heating up, with the federal government facing its own inertia. According to Marijuana Moment, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) recently criticized the Trump administration for dragging its feet on a key marijuana reform: the rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This move, which President Trump pledged in August 2025 would be decided within weeks, remains stalled. “Whether it’s lowering prescription drug costs, protecting health care, or bringing our nation’s cannabis laws into the 21st century, Donald Trump’s presidency is one big broken promise,” Wyden said. He added, “I’ll continue to work with my colleagues in the Senate to press the administration to get with the program and meet the overwhelming majority of American voters where they are on this issue.”
Rescheduling cannabis would not make it fully legal at the federal level, but it would be a significant shift. It would recognize marijuana’s medical value, ease research barriers, and—crucially for the burgeoning industry—allow licensed cannabis businesses to take federal tax deductions they are currently barred from under IRS code 280E. This technicality has been a thorn in the side of cannabis entrepreneurs, making it difficult for legitimate businesses to compete with the illicit market.
Polls consistently show that Americans across the political spectrum support such changes, with a majority also backing an end to prohibition altogether. Trump has endorsed rescheduling, as well as expanding banking access for cannabis businesses and supporting the Florida legalization initiative that failed in 2024. But he has stopped short of supporting full federal legalization. His recent comments on the timing of rescheduling have been vague, lacking any clear signal of imminent action, despite his campaign pledges.
The legislative front is equally complex. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), the lead GOP sponsor of the cannabis banking measure in past sessions, told Marijuana Moment he’s “not sure absolutely” whether rescheduling would change minds within the Republican caucus. “Many senators hold strong opinions,” Daines said, noting that those opinions are often kept separate from the SAFE Banking debate. “I’m not a fan of recreational marijuana. I voted against it in Montana, but it passed. But I definitely support SAFE Banking and taking that cash off the streets, and put it into banks. It’s the right thing to do.”
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) echoed a pragmatic approach, saying, “My view is we have to just [pass] the Banking Act. I mean, that’s the one that’s got a lot of bipartisan support.” Meanwhile, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) has described Trump advancing rescheduling as an “important domino” for bipartisan cannabis banking legislation. Moreno, expected to be the lead sponsor of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation (SAFER) Banking Act this Congress, said, “We’re still seeing what we can do to get it done in Q4. As you know, the Democrats give us a lot of stuff to do. We have to fund the government, we have to get [the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA] across the finish line. We’ve gotta get [Trump’s judicial nominations] done.”
The banking issue is not just a concern for federal lawmakers. In recent months, a bipartisan coalition of 32 state and territory attorneys general has called on Congress to pass a marijuana banking bill, arguing that licensed cannabis businesses need access to financial services for safety and transparency. During a House Appropriations Committee markup last month, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) criticized the exclusion of protections for banks working with state-licensed marijuana and hemp businesses from a key spending bill.
While legislative priorities continue to shift, the SAFER Banking Act is expected to be taken up in the fourth quarter of 2025, though nothing is certain in the current political climate. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), a longtime sponsor of marijuana banking legislation, recently said that efforts to coordinate meetings around the bill have been sidelined by other priorities.
Meanwhile, President Trump has continued to signal some support for the medical aspects of cannabis reform. In September 2025, he posted a video on his Truth Social platform touting the health benefits of cannabis and suggesting that including CBD under Medicare would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.” It’s a striking shift in tone, even if it falls short of full-throated support for legalization.
Back in Florida, the legal and political battles continue to play out. The state’s experience with medicinal marijuana—approved by voters in 2016—serves as a reminder that public sentiment can eventually move policy, even against determined opposition. As the 2026 referendum looms, all eyes will be on how the courts, lawmakers, and voters respond to the latest twists in the cannabis debate.
For now, Florida’s struggle encapsulates the nation’s broader reckoning with cannabis: a mix of legal hurdles, political calculations, and a public that seems increasingly ready for change—even if the path forward remains anything but clear.
