Trulieve

Florida isn't the only state to reject a ballot measure on recreational pot. North Dakota and South Dakota also defeated legalization efforts. Voters did approve a medical measure in Nebraska

The ballot measure's defeat could strengthen the industry as it struggles to compete with hemp-based products sold at gas stations, CBD shops and online at a fraction of the cost.

The measure would have allowed adulta to possess about 3 ounces of pot, and it would have allowed businesses already growing and selling medical marijuana to sell it to them.

The cannabis company's latest $1.5 million contribution to Smart & Safe Florida provided the political committee a total of $152.27 million in cash and $959,000 in in-kind contributions.

In the past, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers has tempered her public criticism of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration, which regulates her business. But she called DeSantis' critiques on Amendment 3 “hogwash.”

As the campaign to get recreational marijuana in the state constitution goes into its final days, the cannabis company has funded more than $143 million of Smart & Safe Florida's war chest.

Trulieve has largely bankrolled the Smart & Safe Florida political committee, which is leading efforts to pass the proposal, according to the state Division of Elections website.

Amendment 3 could help end an era of discriminatory enforcement, according to some proponents, elected officials and drug experts. How and whether it will is a growing question.

Trulieve has donated nearly $100 million to support Amendment 3. The state's Republican chair says the lawsuit is a result of the ads "working" and being "truthful."

Trulieve pitched in $5 million from Sept. 7-13 ─ $92.77 million in all ─ to the Smart & Safe committee, which wants recreational marijuana legalized through a Nov. 5 ballot measure. Curaleaf kicked in another $1 million.