Florida has made history by becoming the 22nd state in the United States to legalize the medical use of cannabis. On Tuesday, November 3, Floridians overwhelmingly voted in favor of Amendment 2, which allows patients suffering from debilitating medical conditions to use cannabis with a doctor’s prescription.

The vote marks a major victory for cannabis advocates, who have been pushing for years to reform the state’s strict cannabis laws. Proponents of Amendment 2, including the political action committee “United for Care,” had argued that legalizing medical cannabis would provide relief for patients suffering from chronic pain, nausea, and other conditions, without the harsh side effects associated with prescription opioids.

“We’re thrilled that Floridians have spoken and said yes to the medical use of cannabis,” said Ben Pollara, the campaign manager for United for Care. “This is a historic day for our state and a huge step forward for patients who deserve access to safe and effective relief.”

According to unofficial election results, Amendment 2 passed with 71% of the vote, exceeding the 60% threshold required for passage. The measure will go into effect 10 days after the election, at which point patients will be able to purchase cannabis products at licensed dispensaries.

Under the new law, patients with certain qualifying conditions, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), will be able to purchase cannabis products with a doctor’s prescription. Patients will be limited to a 70-day supply of cannabis at a time, and will not be allowed to smoke cannabis in public or use it while operating a motor vehicle.

The vote is seen as a significant win for the growing cannabis industry in Florida, which is expected to generate millions of dollars in tax revenue and create thousands of new jobs. Many cannabis companies and investors have already begun to stake their claim in the state, with some analysts predicting that Florida could become one of the largest cannabis markets in the country.

“This is a huge win for the cannabis industry in Florida,” said Michael Miller, the CEO of Surterra Wellness, a cannabis company based in Miami. “We’re excited to get started and bring safe and effective cannabis products to patients across the state.”

Despite the historic nature of the vote, not everyone is celebrating. Opponents of Amendment 2, including some law enforcement officials and anti-marijuana advocates, had argued that legalizing cannabis would increase crime and drug use among children.

“We’re disappointed that voters chose to pass this measure,” said John Carroll, the director of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. “We fear that this will lead to an increase in impaired driving and drug use among children.”

However, proponents of the measure argue that the law will actually help to reduce crime and improve public safety by providing a safer alternative to prescription opioids and other dangerous drugs.

“Cannabis is not a gateway drug, and it’s not going to lead to a life of crime,” said Pollara. “This is a medicine that can help patients, and we’re proud to have been able to bring it to the people of Florida.”

As Florida prepares to join the growing list of states that have legalized medical cannabis, advocates are already looking ahead to the next step: legalizing recreational use. While the road to full legalization will be long and complicated, the vote on Amendment 2 marks an important milestone in the ongoing movement to reform Florida’s cannabis laws.