Trump Faces Backlash from Florida Conservatives Over Support for Marijuana Legalization
09/13/2024
Former President Donald Trump is facing backlash from Florida conservatives after voicing support for the state’s proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana. In a post on Truth Social, Trump endorsed Florida’s Amendment 3, which would allow adults to legally use marijuana, arguing that it’s time to stop ruining lives over small amounts of the drug and prevent fentanyl-laced marijuana deaths.
"Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly," Trump wrote, calling for the state legislature to create laws to restrict public use, preventing Florida from becoming like "many Democrat-run cities" where marijuana use is rampant.
This stance has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives, including supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's former GOP primary rival and an outspoken opponent of Amendment 3. Florida Republicans fear the legalization would lead to increased crime, homelessness, and drug use, with many urging voters to reject the measure. Gilchrist GOP Chair David Biddle warned on X, formerly Twitter, that legalizing recreational marijuana would be disastrous, saying, "It brings zero benefit to society."
Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis, now backing DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race, suggested Trump’s endorsement of the marijuana amendment is a distraction from his perceived reluctance to oppose Amendment 4, a ballot measure seeking to repeal Florida's six-week abortion ban. Ellis accused Trump of using Amendment 3 as a "PR play" to divert attention.
In contrast, Republican state Senator Joe Gruters, a supporter of Amendment 3, welcomed Trump’s endorsement, highlighting its focus on ending "needless arrests and incarcerations" and promoting individual freedom. Gruters also pledged to work on legislation to regulate marijuana use, ensuring it is consumed privately and responsibly.
The issue has also garnered attention from the Biden-Harris campaign, with Vice President Kamala Harris’ team accusing Trump of inconsistency, pointing to his administration's past crackdowns on marijuana offenses despite his current pro-reform stance.
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"Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly," Trump wrote, calling for the state legislature to create laws to restrict public use, preventing Florida from becoming like "many Democrat-run cities" where marijuana use is rampant.
This stance has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives, including supporters of Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump's former GOP primary rival and an outspoken opponent of Amendment 3. Florida Republicans fear the legalization would lead to increased crime, homelessness, and drug use, with many urging voters to reject the measure. Gilchrist GOP Chair David Biddle warned on X, formerly Twitter, that legalizing recreational marijuana would be disastrous, saying, "It brings zero benefit to society."
Former Trump attorney Jenna Ellis, now backing DeSantis in the 2024 presidential race, suggested Trump’s endorsement of the marijuana amendment is a distraction from his perceived reluctance to oppose Amendment 4, a ballot measure seeking to repeal Florida's six-week abortion ban. Ellis accused Trump of using Amendment 3 as a "PR play" to divert attention.
In contrast, Republican state Senator Joe Gruters, a supporter of Amendment 3, welcomed Trump’s endorsement, highlighting its focus on ending "needless arrests and incarcerations" and promoting individual freedom. Gruters also pledged to work on legislation to regulate marijuana use, ensuring it is consumed privately and responsibly.
The issue has also garnered attention from the Biden-Harris campaign, with Vice President Kamala Harris’ team accusing Trump of inconsistency, pointing to his administration's past crackdowns on marijuana offenses despite his current pro-reform stance.
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