Ryan Nicol
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says voters should support a November ballot initiative that would legalize recreational pot for adults.
Trump posted to Truth Social a statement supportive of Amendment 3, arguing that law enforcement should be focused on violent crime.
“In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly,” Trump said.
“We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities. At the same time, someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl-laced marijuana. We will make America SAFE again!”
That push to approve Amendment 3 and follow it up with legislation regulating public use is similar to a proposal by Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, a Trump ally who recently broke ranks with other state Republicans to back Amendment 3.
After news of Trump’s endorsement, Gruters released a statement praising the former President’s move.
“I am incredibly proud to have President Trump stand alongside us in our effort to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for simple possession of marijuana and to give Floridians the same individual freedom to choose safe, tested products that more than half the country already enjoys,” Gruters said.
“Our shared goals to expand our freedoms and keep Floridians safe from fentanyl-laced marijuana from the illicit market is why Amendment 3 has broad support and will pass in November. President Trump’s call for smart implementation is exactly why I filed a bill to prevent smoking in public. Marijuana should be consumed at home, and I will work alongside my colleagues in the legislature to ensure Florida does this right.”
As Florida Politics Publisher Peter Schorsch noted in July, Trump’s move is a shrewd one to shore up his support in the state. While Trump is clearly favored in Florida after Republicans dominated the state in 2022, recent polling has shown him with leads in the single digits, potentially requiring him to spend at least some time and money in Florida to help stave off a potential upset.
“We welcome former President Trump’s comments on Amendment 3 in Florida, which would legalize adult use cannabis in the state. He joins millions of Americans who have reassessed their views on cannabis in recent years,” said David Culver, senior vice president of Public Affairs for the U.S. Cannabis Council.
“Amendment 3 enjoys strong bipartisan support from Florida voters,” Culver added. “President Trump’s support could prove pivotal for meeting the 60% threshold required to become law. We look forward to hearing more from him about how he would approach cannabis reform if elected this November.”
By backing an initiative that has polled well in the state, Trump is hoping to rally some nontraditional Republican support that could help keep Florida red at the top of the ticket and allow him to continue focusing his resources in the Rust Belt and more competitive Sun Belt states.
It also allows a contrast with Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, a former prosecutor.
“One of Harris’ most significant weaknesses among Democratic voters is her record as a prosecutor, first as a District Attorney in San Francisco and then as California Attorney General. She faced criticism among progressives over prosecutions for drug offenses,” Schorsch wrote.
“While the narrative has been at least partially challenged — there were relatively few of those convicted who served jail or prison time — Harris indeed oversaw nearly 2,000 misdemeanor and felony convictions for cannabis-related offenses. Trump, meanwhile, can tout granting amnesty to dozens of people convicted of cannabis-related crimes, some just as he was leaving office in early 2021.”
Harris has not publicly voiced her position on the amendment.
22 comments
Jojo
August 31, 2024 at 11:32 am
OMG really? Just wait until tomorrow. He’ll hear about blowback from Christians Against Drugs and he’ll flip flop all over the place.
Case in point- the women’s choice amendment.
Per usual, whatever position Trump perceives will benefit him, he scurries over there.
Dont Say FLA
September 6, 2024 at 9:24 am
I saw “Donald Trump Comes Out” and thought to myself, “finally, and I guess his 80 years of denial were the reason for all the misogyny”
But no, he is just claiming to be pro-weed because…. he thinks that’ll get him even more of the incel vote??? That doesn’t make any sense. I wonder what the geezer thinks he’s supporting? Feeding and seeding young ladies and forcing them into birthing babies? Yeah probably that
Michael
August 31, 2024 at 11:38 am
Don’t worry, Governor. While this is yet another slap in your face today by Trump, he will undoubtedly weasel-word around this again tomorrow once his handlers realize he not only spat on you, but also Rick Scott, Matt Gretzky, Ashley Moody and the entire Republican Party of Florida, all of whom have come out against Amendment 3.
“We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces…” . Well, if you are going to take legal advice from Trump, sure, be my guest, however, be sure to save up some state budget for the immediate constitutional challenge.
Day 38
August 31, 2024 at 11:41 am
You sure that you aren’t talking about Kammy? She pretty much has changed her position on everything. We really don’t know what she stands for except telling her audience what they want to hear Thanks for the morning humor today Jojo. 🤣
rick whitaker
August 31, 2024 at 11:50 am
PEACHY THE MARK, your comment was obviously influenced by the right-wing media you eat up without chewing. your card has been pulled.
Day 38
August 31, 2024 at 11:53 am
There he is. Angry Rick with nothing but personal attacks. No substance at all. Typical zombie that won’t tolerate different perspectives.
Yrral
August 31, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Cheech and Chong Trump election chances are up in smoke
rick whitaker
August 31, 2024 at 12:13 pm
PEACHY MARK, every single word of my last post was true and delivered without anger of course. grow up. you watch fox and it influences you right? i thought so!
Day 38
August 31, 2024 at 11:55 am
Joy Behar comes to mind when you post. Put a wig on and take another avatar. Let’s see🤣
rick whitaker
August 31, 2024 at 12:15 pm
PEACHY MARK, joy is one of my favorite people. she is popular on a popular show, what is your distorted point?
Ocean Joe
September 2, 2024 at 6:37 pm
He supports a disgusting scumbag and exaggerates Kamala’s policy changes, but let’s get carried away. Joy Behar should be at Guantanamo torturing the inmates with that voice.
TJC
September 2, 2024 at 3:03 pm
Day 38, bullshit.
Woke and Vote
August 31, 2024 at 12:25 pm
Donald Trump has a keen knack of staying in the media spotlight.
Ocean Joe
September 2, 2024 at 6:38 pm
So do train wrecks.
Jojo
September 2, 2024 at 10:51 am
And when this amendment passes it should immediately be followed by a pardon for anyone with a pot conviction on their record. It prevents them from getting school loans, prevents them from securing jobs because they can’t pass the background check.
But we know that will never happen in this state when we have politicians like DeSantes at the helm- they are all about retribution.
Now if you could prove to them that all of the people affected were republicans……
Ocean Joe
September 2, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Dont let Kristi Noem get her hands on all those drug sniffing dogs it will put out of business.
People not getting jerked around by the cops over personal use, what a concept!
ElvisPittsAmerican
September 3, 2024 at 6:50 am
Good Morn ‘Ting America,
Weed use is a 83% Dook 4 Brains Leftist thing.
Very few Sage Patriots smoke that Shizz ya know.
So why not make the leftists even more stupid with recreational weed?
Thank you Donald Trump,
ElvisPittsAmerican
Sandra
September 4, 2024 at 3:40 pm
Pot is not for saving you from cartel. It brings them cash jobs in America.. who else can use 500 acres for the drug culture.
People still want their hard drugs and that will always be a market . In counterfeit.
Anyway. Back at that farm.
What about us. Don’t you want to stop making the other smug cash by exploiting your info and making you pay out of wallets to keep you down on the low
And aren’t you tired most of the winners in lottery come from the opposite side your on. Call or text
Kenny
September 4, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Look up a American. Falsely use a address have fake serial sponsorship and move the h right on. In.
That’s the politics and sell the company’s to their country
Dont Say FLA
September 6, 2024 at 9:07 am
Who said “Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States” and what were they talking about?
Was it abortion? Guns? Voting? Nope. Weed.
And who said that? It was the Trust Fund Baby whose fanboys (aka “incels”) just fell off the Turnip J Truck yesterday
Margaret Hawthorne in The Villages
September 6, 2024 at 5:56 pm
FOR SHAME!
IT”S THE DEVILS LETTUCE!!
Fred
September 8, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Donald also supports the 165 thousand inmate cells prisons they building in South America ,,and deporting the escapee’s crossing the borders.
Comments are closed.