Former President Donald Trump broke with other Republicans in the Sunshine State and said he would vote “yes” on a ballot measure seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida.
Amendment 3 would allow those who are 21 and older to “possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories.” It requires at least a 60% majority to pass on Nov. 5.
Trump had suggested he would be in favor of the measure but then announced late Sunday that he would be voting for Amendment 3. He also called on the state to “implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product.”
“As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use. We must also implement smart regulations, while providing access for adults, to safe, tested product. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday.
“As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana to a Schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws, including safe banking for state authorized companies, and supporting states rights to pass marijuana laws, like in Florida, that work so well for their citizens,” he added.
The group backing the marijuana ballot measure, Smart and Safe Florida, has been largely backed by Democratic megadonor and Morgan and Morgan CEO John Morgan. One of the Republicans backing the amendment is state Sen. Joe Gruters, who argued the measure would be “creating a safer, more regulated recreational marijuana market and generating much-needed revenue for critical public services like our law enforcement.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL), and the Republican Party of Florida have also publicly opposed Amendment 3. The main group opposing the marijuana ballot measure, Vote No on 3, has argued the amendment is written in a way that would stifle the ability to regulate marijuana.
“Amendment 3 will change the face of Florida in a way that we will all regret, as recreational marijuana will be all over the place — just like it is in Colorado and California,” Vote No on 3 said on its website.
“The smell will be everywhere because the stores distributing pot will move into our neighborhoods, as the market almost triples in value. Triple the sales, triple the stores, triple the amount of pot available,” the group continued. “And because the right to possess high amounts will be enshrined in our Constitution, marijuana will not be able to be regulated in a sensible way, threatening the health and safety of all Floridians.”
Amendment 3 is one of two high-profile ballot measures that will appear before Florida voters on Election Day. Voters in the Sunshine State will also vote on Amendment 4, which would enshrine abortion through viability with exceptions.
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Opponents of Amendment 4 have argued the measure is intentionally vague and would lead to little to no restrictions on abortion. Trump has opposed Amendment 4.
Both ballot measures must pass by 60% to be passed into law. A recent poll from the Hill-Emerson College showed Amendment 3 passing the threshold, 63.6%-27.2%, while Amendment 4 falls short, 54.6%-25.8%.
