Trump Signals Backing For Florida Marijuana Legalisation
Donald Trump has indicated his support for legalizing marijuana for personal use in Florida, just ahead of a ballot on the issue scheduled for November.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the Republican presidential candidate expressed confidence that voters are likely to pass the measure “whether people like it or not,” emphasizing that it “should be done correctly.”
Former President Donald Trump’s position on cannabis legalization contrasts sharply with the views of other prominent Republicans, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has argued that legalizing recreational cannabis could negatively impact quality of life.
Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2016, but the debate over broader legalization continues. Currently, cannabis for both personal and medical use is legal in 24 states, according to the Pew Research Center. Additionally, 14 more states have legalized marijuana strictly for medical purposes.
Expressing his opinion on the matter, Trump stated, “It doesn’t make sense for someone to be treated as a criminal in Florida when this is legal in so many other states. We shouldn’t be ruining lives and wasting taxpayer money by arresting adults who have small amounts of cannabis.”
This proposal is one of several amendments that Florida residents will vote on in November, alongside the presidential election. Trump is running against Kamala Harris, the current Vice President and Democratic Party nominee.
On the topic of legalizing marijuana for personal use, Trump emphasized the need for regulations to ensure that its use is restricted in public spaces. He expressed concerns about the pervasive smell of marijuana, which he claims is a common issue in many cities governed by Democrats.
DeSantis, on the other hand, argued that legalizing recreational cannabis could lead Florida to follow the path of cities like San Francisco or Chicago, both of which are located in Democrat-led states.
Illinois, for instance, legalized marijuana in 2020, and from January to July of this year alone, cannabis sales surpassed $1 billion, according to state government reports.
In California, where personal marijuana use has been legal since 2016, the cannabis industry generated $4.4 billion in sales last year.
Despite these figures, there is uncertainty about how legal sales compare to those in the black market, which some believe remains robust. Licensed growers and sellers are required to obtain permits and pay taxes, which can be expensive, potentially making their products pricier compared to illegal options.
“The black market is incredibly widespread, and it’s actually bigger than the legal market,” Bill Jones, who leads enforcement for California’s Department of Cannabis Control, told NPR earlier this year.
Recently, Trump stirred up confusion regarding an amendment on Florida’s November ballot. On Friday, he mentioned he would oppose a measure that aims to protect abortion rights in Florida, a statement that drew criticism from his conservative base.
Currently, Florida bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, but the proposed amendment seeks to extend this limit to 24 weeks. Initially, Trump appeared to support the amendment, but his stance quickly shifted.
His campaign later clarified that Trump hadn’t explicitly stated how he would vote on the amendment, but rather, he expressed that the current six-week restriction was “too short.” The next day, Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago estate is located in Palm Beach, Florida, announced he would vote “no” on the amendment.