The conversation about cannabis reform is no longer confined to courthouse steps or private debates—it has become a forward-looking question about what residents want Florida to be, and when. But the city’s path is constrained by a basic reality: the biggest changes won’t originate at City Hall. They’ll come from Tallahassee, the courts, and the ballot box.
That dynamic is now intensifying as statewide advocates again work toward a 2026 adult-use legalization amendment. The political organization Smart & Safe Florida—best known for its prior legalization push—has returned with a new campaign, while also navigating legal friction over signature certification and the state’s timeline for Supreme Court review. Public summaries of the proposed 2026 measure outline a familiar framework: adult personal use for those 21 and older, continued restrictions on public smoking and vaping, and guardrails aimed at limiting youth exposure through advertising and marketing rules.
For Naples, that matters because local governments can regulate certain “how and where” questions—such as zoning, business permitting, and nuisance enforcement—but they cannot legalize adult-use cannabis on their own. The city’s future, in other words, hinges on whether Florida voters and the courts ultimately deliver a statewide green light.
Who is shaping the reform push—and the resistance—around Naples
Several statewide groups are helping define the reform narrative that will eventually reach Collier County voters.
Smart & Safe Florida remains the most visible force behind the 2026 ballot effort, while civil liberties organizations like the ACLU of Florida continue to frame legalization as an issue tied to criminal justice reform and personal freedom. Longtime advocacy groups such as the Florida Cannabis Action Network have maintained grassroots pressure for years, focusing on education, organizing, and legislative engagement. WISE Florida has also played a role by emphasizing equitable policy outcomes and voter outreach.
Locally, the debate reflects Naples’ broader political culture. Pro-reform voices have pointed to economic opportunity, patient access, and consistency with changing national attitudes. At the same time, community organizations concerned with public health and youth exposure have urged caution, arguing that any expansion should prioritize prevention, enforcement clarity, and local control.
What changes could come next—even before adult-use passes
Even without a new constitutional amendment, incremental reform remains possible. In recent legislative sessions, Florida lawmakers have filed proposals that would allow limited home cultivation for registered medical marijuana patients. While none have passed so far, such measures signal ongoing pressure to expand patient rights—an issue closely watched by medical cannabis users in Naples.
Enforcement policy also continues to shape the reform discussion. Under current Florida law, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana remains a criminal offense, a reality frequently cited by advocates as outdated and unevenly enforced. Supporters of reform argue that this legal framework increasingly clashes with public opinion and the state’s long-established medical marijuana program.
The bottom line for Naples
Over the next two years, Naples is unlikely to lead Florida on cannabis reform, but it will feel the impact of whatever decisions emerge at the state level. Whether 2026 becomes the turning point depends on voter sentiment, court rulings, and political will. What is clear is that the conversation is no longer hypothetical. For Naples, cannabis reform has become a question of timing, implementation, and how local priorities—public safety, tourism, and patient access—fit into Florida’s evolving cannabis landscape.
Learn More: How Cannabis Normalization Builds Stronger Communities