DeSantis continues campaign against marijuana measure
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to oppose a renewed ballot measure aimed at legalizing marijuana, which is set to appear on the 2026 ballot after a similar initiative fell short in 2024. Currently, non-medical marijuana use remains illegal in Florida, and the proposed amendment would prohibit public smoking of marijuana if passed. desantis expressed his belief that marijuana legalization should not be enshrined in the state constitution, suggesting that support for such measures should be directed towards electing legislative candidates who share those views. The governor has criticized Trulieve, the largest marijuana company in Florida, for its meaningful financial backing of the initiative, claiming it seeks to create a cartel that would hinder homegrown marijuana efforts. He also indicated concerns about the amendment’s chances of passing judicial scrutiny. Florida allows medicinal use of marijuana, but recreational use remains illegal, with 32 states having legalized it in some form.
Ron DeSantis continues campaign against renewed marijuana measure
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) still does not support a ballot measure to legalize marijuana in the measure’s second time on the ballot in two years.
At the moment, marijuana use other than for medical reasons is banned. An effort to legalize the hallucinogen for adults was on the 2024 ballot but fell four percentage points short of the 60% threshold needed to pass. This time, smoking marijuana in public places would be prohibited per the amendment slated for the 2026 ballot.
“There’s a lot of different perspectives on marijuana. It should not be in our constitution,” DeSantis told reporters on Monday. “If you feel strongly about it, you have elections for the Legislature. Go back candidates that you believe will be able to deliver what your vision is on that.”
A single marijuana company, Trulieve, has contributed $100 million to the ballot initiative. DeSantis previously said that the company is “setting up a cartel in the Constitution of Florida” that wouldn’t allow for the legalization of homegrown marijuana.
“Do you think they’re going to be in favor of you growing your own or against? Of course, they’re going to lobby against, and they have a lot of money to be able to try to influence the legislature as a result of that,” DeSantis said of Trulieve.
The campaign, Smart & Safe Florida, has gone dark online since the November election.
According to the governor, the amendment will have “big-time trouble getting through the Florida Supreme Court” as it is currently written. DeSantis did not go into detail as to why.
Florida is one of 15 states that legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes but has yet to decriminalize recreational use. Marijuana is legal in 32 states.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...