Domestic Policy
Do You Support Trump’s Stance on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana?
Do You Support Trump’s Stance on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana?
Here’s The Scoop
Former President Donald Trump has thrown his support behind a controversial Florida ballot initiative to legalize marijuana, setting up a clash with the state’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who staunchly opposes the measure.
Trump took to Truth Social late Sunday to endorse Florida Amendment 3, a proposal that would permit companies already licensed to produce medical marijuana to sell it for recreational use.
This endorsement came just hours after Governor DeSantis addressed a crowd of about 200 people at a church in Tallahassee, warning that the amendment would essentially create a legal “drug cartel” in Florida and lead to widespread public use of marijuana.
“Public use of this will be rampant,” DeSantis cautioned. “You can’t point to a state that is better off for doing it.”
The campaign backing the amendment has amassed over $80 million in cash, primarily from Trulieve, the largest medical marijuana company in the state. If Amendment 3 passes, Trulieve would be among a select few companies authorized to sell recreational marijuana. The measure requires at least 60% voter approval to be enacted.
“They’re creating in Florida’s constitution a drug cartel,” DeSantis emphasized. “And they’ll have no liability with the cultivation and sale of marijuana.”
Recent studies have raised concerns about cannabis use, linking it to heart disease, stroke, and various mental health issues. Additionally, about 22% of marijuana users develop cannabis use disorder, meaning they struggle to stop using the substance even when it causes social or health problems, according to a 2020 study.
“As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November,” Trump declared on Truth Social. “As President, we will continue to focus on research to unlock medical uses of marijuana to a schedule 3 drug, and work with Congress to pass common sense laws.”
Trump also argued that it’s time to end the “needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.” However, DeSantis countered that nobody in Florida is serving prison time for mere possession of marijuana.
This is not the first time Trump and DeSantis have found themselves at odds. They recently clashed over Florida’s abortion law, which bans abortions once an unborn child has a detectable heartbeat, usually around six weeks of pregnancy. While signing the law was a priority for DeSantis, Trump has criticized it as too restrictive.
DeSantis also ran an unsuccessful primary campaign against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, adding another layer to their ongoing rivalry.
What do you think? Let us know by participating in our poll, or join the discussion in the comment section below!
Joan
September 14, 2024 at 9:31 am
I have always been against legalizing MJ. I do believe it should be deciminalized, but never legal.
Jerry C.
September 14, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Let a person grow their own, indoors of a free-standing structure (no apartments, townhouses, or condos). No growing, or using if minors reside in or are present in the structure. No smoking unless you have a high-end air purification system so the neighbors don’t have to deal with the nauseating stench. No selling it or giving it away: EVERY instance of providing another with a controlled substance in contravention of the law becomes a Federal capital crime. If you are pulled-over and the cop catches even a slight whiff of pot on your person or in your vehicle, straight to jail as if you were drunk.
Why legalize something that makes people stupid? Are you TRYING to create more Dummycrats?
Denise
September 14, 2024 at 7:33 pm
Recreational has been legal in my state for years – no harm has been done. It’s a great remedy for pain relief and help with insomnia.
Lee
November 4, 2024 at 9:26 am
You obviously ignored the 25-40% increase in DUI traffic accidents.
Cheryl
September 15, 2024 at 10:53 am
If alcohol, which is responsible for thousands of deaths a year, is legal, then marijuana should be legal also. Very, VERY few people, if any, get into fights, experience withdrawal symptoms or cause catastrophic car accidents while high. They might clear out a convenience store of all their potato chips, though! There should definitely be the same age restrictions to purchase and some kind of regulation.
Lauren
November 16, 2024 at 12:30 pm
@Cheryl: You are too smart for this conversation. “They” who have no experience should keep their mouths shut. Alcohol is THE worse drug ever. There is so much crime involving alcohol. Marijuana users for the most part are non violent! I’d like to hear of an instance where marijuana was involved in a murder.
Tj Howerd
September 15, 2024 at 9:16 pm
When recreational marijuana is legal, it can be purchased at legal dispensaries, and it is taxed so the state makes money. DeSantis so wrong on so many issues I’m shocked he is still in office.
LOU
October 4, 2024 at 7:47 am
THE REASOON FOR NO IS THEY DONT HEED ANY DOPEY PEOPLE IN DC THERE ALREADY DOPED UP ON THE LEFT THATS WHY WE GOT ALL THESE PROBLEMS
Douglas
November 16, 2024 at 8:25 am
Why bother with just MJ? Legalize every one of them and let Darwin deal with the idiots. The cartels will also take a huge hit.