Jacksonville, Fl — Supporters of recreational marijuana appear to have fallen about 100,000 signatures short of getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall.

Smart & Safe Florida, the political committee behind the measure, needed just over 880,000 signatures.

The Florida Department of State says all 22 active proposed constitutional amendments by initiative petitions failed to meet the requirements of Florida law for placement on the ballot.

The Smart & Safe campaign accused the Department of State of, “using every means necessary to stifle the voices of over a million Florida voters who have lawfully and legally signed petitions”.

In 2024 a similar ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana got almost 56 percent voter support, but fell short of the 60 percent needed to pass.

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Widespread frost and freeze continues.

This morning temperatures are in the lower to mid 30s inland and upper 20s to lower 30s along the coast.

First Alert Meteorologist Corey Simma tracks a gradual trend of mild temperatures, but nothing close to 70, in the ‘All the Weather, All the Time’ podcast:

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It’s Groundhog Day. Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Will we get a few more weeks of winter? Fox’s Tonya J. Powers reports:

‘Tis the season for romance scams! FBI Special Agent Jason Carley shares how you can protect yourself from digital would-be Casanova’s or Svengali’s and their attempts to seduce your money! If you’ve been targeted, let the FBI know at WWW.IC3.GOV.

New rules for US air travel have taken effect. Flyers without Real ID or a passport must pay a $45 fee now. Fox’s Jeff Monosso has a closer look.

There is another partial government shutdown in effect, in large part due to objections to ICE policies and continued DHS funding. Eben Brown looks at the implications for for this shutdown, particularly regarding DHS, and its affected agencies and programs, and the earliest opportunity it could be resolved.

Rich Jones

Rich Jones is the Host of Jacksonville’s Morning News. Rich joined WOKV in October 2006. Rich is involved in many community organizations and causes. Rich and his wife, Noelle, have three children: Avery, Harper and Austen.