Trump vs. DeSantis: Florida Republicans Continue to Clash Over Marijuana Legalization
09/27/2024
A new political divide has emerged in Florida as former President Donald Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis take opposing stances on Amendment 3, a ballot initiative seeking to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults. Trump, running for the White House for the third time, has publicly backed the measure, while DeSantis is leading the charge against it, creating tension within the state’s Republican Party.
Trump’s support for the amendment comes as no surprise to some, but DeSantis has fiercely opposed it, calling it a power grab by Florida’s $2 billion medical marijuana industry. DeSantis warns that the amendment’s broad language would allow individuals to carry large amounts of pre-rolled marijuana and smoke in public without facing consequences. He has criticized Republicans in the state for not doing enough to oppose the measure and a separate initiative on abortion rights, stating, "That is what courageous leadership is all about."
The GOP’s top legislative leaders, including House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez and Senate President-designate Ben Albritton, have joined DeSantis in opposing the amendment. Albritton argued that Florida’s current medical marijuana laws provide adequate access for patients and warned that legalizing recreational use could exacerbate the state's behavioral health crisis and increase impaired driving.
However, the divide within the party is becoming more pronounced. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a close Trump ally, is the only current Republican lawmaker to publicly back Amendment 3, appearing in ads with a Democratic state senator to voice his support. Gruters emphasized that his stance is not about politics but about doing what is best for Florida.
Meanwhile, former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, who had pushed for legalization in the past, claims that many Republican lawmakers privately support the amendment but are unwilling to defy DeSantis or the party’s leadership. Brandes called the situation “evidence that the Legislature is completely impotent when it comes to taking this thing on.”
Polling shows that a majority of Florida Republicans support the measure, with 57% of Republicans backing legalization according to a June Fox News poll. The campaign in favor of Amendment 3, spearheaded by the Smart & Safe Committee and heavily funded by Trulieve, hopes to gain enough bipartisan support to push the measure past the required 60% threshold for approval.
As November’s vote approaches, the clash between Trump and DeSantis over marijuana legalization is forcing Florida Republicans to pick sides, with the future of the state’s marijuana laws hanging in the balance.
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Trump’s support for the amendment comes as no surprise to some, but DeSantis has fiercely opposed it, calling it a power grab by Florida’s $2 billion medical marijuana industry. DeSantis warns that the amendment’s broad language would allow individuals to carry large amounts of pre-rolled marijuana and smoke in public without facing consequences. He has criticized Republicans in the state for not doing enough to oppose the measure and a separate initiative on abortion rights, stating, "That is what courageous leadership is all about."
The GOP’s top legislative leaders, including House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez and Senate President-designate Ben Albritton, have joined DeSantis in opposing the amendment. Albritton argued that Florida’s current medical marijuana laws provide adequate access for patients and warned that legalizing recreational use could exacerbate the state's behavioral health crisis and increase impaired driving.
However, the divide within the party is becoming more pronounced. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a close Trump ally, is the only current Republican lawmaker to publicly back Amendment 3, appearing in ads with a Democratic state senator to voice his support. Gruters emphasized that his stance is not about politics but about doing what is best for Florida.
Meanwhile, former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, who had pushed for legalization in the past, claims that many Republican lawmakers privately support the amendment but are unwilling to defy DeSantis or the party’s leadership. Brandes called the situation “evidence that the Legislature is completely impotent when it comes to taking this thing on.”
Polling shows that a majority of Florida Republicans support the measure, with 57% of Republicans backing legalization according to a June Fox News poll. The campaign in favor of Amendment 3, spearheaded by the Smart & Safe Committee and heavily funded by Trulieve, hopes to gain enough bipartisan support to push the measure past the required 60% threshold for approval.
As November’s vote approaches, the clash between Trump and DeSantis over marijuana legalization is forcing Florida Republicans to pick sides, with the future of the state’s marijuana laws hanging in the balance.
Reference
