Christine Jordan Sexton
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has worked to boost legal marijuana access since his days in the Florida Legislature.
A decade ago, he was the House sponsor of the bill legalizing low-THC medical marijuana. Last year, Gaetz proposed to stop testing members of the military for cannabis use. Today, however, Gaetz says he will be voting against Amendment 3, the ballot proposal that would allow adults 21 or older to possess recreational marijuana.
Gaetz was asked about the pot amendment and another one dealing with abortion rights following a re-election campaign rally he held in Pensacola.
“Regardless of how someone feels about abortion or marijuana, I don’t believe that those issues should be resolved in the state constitution,” Gaetz said during a gaggle with several reporters.
Gaetz’s remarks come just days after former President Donald Trump declined to say if he would vote for or against the two initiatives on this year’s ballot. Instead, Trump suggested he would hold a press conference “in the near future” to announce his position.
Trump in his remarks left open the door that he would support the initiative allowing the use of marijuana. He said last week that “as we legalize it, I start to agree a lot more because it’s being legalized all over the country.”
He added that “Florida has something coming up. I’ll be making a statement about that fairly soon, but as we legalize it throughout the country, whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, it’s awfully hard to have people all over the jails that are in jail right now for something that’s legal. So, I think obviously there’s a lot of sentiment to doing that.”
Gaetz helped sponsor the first medical marijuana law passed by the Florida Legislature in 2014, which permitted the use of a noneuphoric, low-THC cannabis to treat conditions such as epilepsy.
He said that the legislation “had lots of flaws” that required legislators to make changes to the law over the years.
“I think when you ensconce abortion policy or marijuana policy in the constitution you limit the ability to appropriately tailor policy to evolving circumstances and evolving technologies,” Gaetz said.
Many Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, have said they oppose Amendment 3. But state Sen. Joe Gruters, who is also an ally of Trump, has come out in favor of the measure.
Amendment 3 must win support from 60% of those voting on the initiative in order to become law.
9 comments
Ocean Joe
August 12, 2024 at 10:25 am
“I think when you ensconce abortion policy or marijuana policy in the constitution you limit the ability to appropriately tailor policy to evolving circumstances and evolving technologies,” Gaetz said.
It wouldn’t be necessary, just like the greyhound racing, restoration of voting privileges, or abortion IF WE JUST HAD A DECENT LEGISLATURE instead of what we have. A group that answers to special interests. No surprise the public has to resort to this. Which of course is why the Republicans recently made it more difficult to pass an amendment. If you dont represent the public, why on earth are you in public service (other than to personally enrich yourself)?
PeterH
August 12, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Well said Ocean!
ScienceBLVR
August 12, 2024 at 10:59 am
I think Matt is in public service for the plethora of women he encounters. For some it’s money, for some power and control, for some it’s well, you know being able to gr@b them by the …
EchoTheCat
August 12, 2024 at 2:44 pm
I really think the reason is that Matt won’t be able to profit off of it as much. Because we know he has ties to the medical retail marijuana trade in Florida.
Matt really doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself. Just like Trump.
Lee Roller
August 13, 2024 at 2:19 pm
Why then is the single largest sponsor of the Amendment Trulieve, the largest Medical Marijuana producer in Florida?
Matt Gaetz is vermin, but your comment makes no sense. The people selling medical marijuana in Florida today are the same ones that would be selling it recreationally. And lots of it. Anyone in Florida’s medical marijuana industry…with the exception of the doctors that charge $199 every 6 months to keep you legit…is going to make more money.
cassandra was right
August 12, 2024 at 10:03 pm
“I think when you ensconce abortion policy or marijuana policy in the constitution you limit the [government’s] ability to….”
That’s the point Matt!
STOP GOVERNMENT INFRINGEMENT on the rights of the people.
Vote YES on Amendments 3 and 4
Yes On 3
August 12, 2024 at 11:49 pm
We are definitely VOTING YES ON 3 and not gonna be voting for you Matt! History will judge you for being on the wrong side and supporting prohibition! #YesOn3
Matt stinks
August 13, 2024 at 7:59 am
I long for the day when Matt is rotting in prison and I won’t have to hear about his opinion on anything. He looks like the joker got loose in a Sephoria store and his twisted words match his ridiculous plastic surgery!
Lee Roller
August 13, 2024 at 2:14 pm
Matt should not worry about the choices afforded to adults and just stick to what he know. Underage women.
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