The Florida Supreme Court issued two critical decisions on abortion Monday. In a major blow for abortion access across the southern United States, Florida’s highest court ruled abortion rights are not constitutionally protected, allowing a near-total abortion ban to go into effect. The six-week ban provides exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal anomalies and medical emergencies.
But reproductive rights advocates hope the legislation will be short-lived, since the Florida Supreme Court also ruled Monday a referendum enshrining the right to an abortion in the state’s Constitution can appear on the November ballot. The Florida Supreme Court also OK’d a ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana. The ballot measures require a 60% majority to pass.