“Trump’s Stunning Vote Reveal: He’s Backing Florida’s Marijuana Legalization—Find Out Why!”
Former President Donald Trump said Sunday he would vote for a Florida ballot measure seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, a move that puts the Republican presidential candidate at odds with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state GOP leaders.
Key Facts
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote he would vote “YES” on the ballot measure known as Amendment 3 in November, adding it was time “to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.”
Trump wrote if he wins in November, his administration will “focus on research to unlock the medical uses of marijuana.”
The former president had signaled support for the measure last month, but this is the first time he explicitly said he will vote for legalization.
In a post late last month, Trump said recreational marijuana will be legalized by voters in Florida “whether people like it or not” and described arrests for possession of marijuana as “waste [of] Taxpayer Dollars.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Key Background
Trump’s support for the legislation is a stark contrast from the position taken by DeSantis and other GOP leaders in the state. In April, DeSantis attacked Amendment 3, saying it “does not just decriminalize marijuana. It’s a license to have it wherever you want.” The Florida governor also warned the state will “start to smell like marijuana in our cities and towns”, if the measure passes. Billionaire Ken Griffin—a key GOP donor and DeSantis supporter—has poured $12 million into opposing the measure, arguing it only serves “special interests” and will lead to an “increase in crime.” Trump’s first comments in favor of Amendment 3 last month faced strong pushback from some Florida Republicans. David Biddle, the GOP Chair for the state’s Gilchrist County, wrote: “Don’t listen to Trump. Vote NO on Amendment 3.”
Tangent
In his original post on the matter last month, Trump said the state legislature should create laws to prohibit marijuana use in public places: “so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat-run Cities.” This was likely an effort to address one of the key talking points raised by DeSantis and other opponents of the measure. The Florida governor, however, has argued that if Amendment 3 passes, the state’s constitution will only allow “regulating the use of *medical* marijuana in public, but not *recreational* marijuana.”
Big Number
60%. That is the percentage of votes the ballot measure needs to secure for its passage.