Joe Gruters, Shevrin Jones appear in ad together supporting recreational pot legalization

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The Republican and Democrat joined one another for an ad promoting Amendment 3.

A new Smart & Safe Florida ad highlights bipartisan support for a recreational pot ballot measure.

30-second spot shows state Sens. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, and Shevrin Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat, side-by-side, cooperating to puff up support for Amendment 3.

“We don’t agree on much,” Gruters said. “Hardly anything,” Jones adds. “But we do agree on this,” Gruters conveys to the camera.

Florida requires constitutional amendments to earn 60% support of voters in the General Election to pass. Campaign organizers say Gruters and Jones’ joint appearance in the ad highlights the state’s bipartisan support for recreational marijuana.

“Election season often feels divisive, but not when it comes to Amendment 3. Floridians from all political backgrounds understand that Amendment 3 stands for freedom, safety and economic opportunity,” said Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida.

“When considering Amendment 3, Floridians aren’t focused on political parties; they’re thinking about their personal freedoms and the opportunities we can create together.”

Gruters, also Florida’s Republican National Committeeman, endorsed Amendment 3 despite the fact the Republican Party of Florida had taken a stance against it. That puts him at odds with Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose surrogates have trolled the sitting lawmaker over the position, but Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, endorsed the measure.

Jones’ support wasn’t so surprising. He filed legislation in the state House in 2019 to decriminalize marijuana and has long argued drug laws disproportionately create high incarceration rates in communities of color.

In the ad, Gruters and Jones cordially offer various things they agree on, including that Gruters supports Trump for President. At the same time, Jones backs Vice President Kamala Harris for the job. But Amendment 3 brings the lawmakers together.

“It legalizes marijuana for adult use, giving freedom to Floridians,” Gruters said.

“And justice for our community,” Jones adds.

The two bounce back and forth, offering free market and justice reform arguments in favor of legalizing pot.

“It’s not about politics,” Gruters said. “It’s about Florida.”

Jacob Ogles

Jacob Ogles has covered politics in Florida since 2000 for regional outlets including SRQ Magazine in Sarasota, The News-Press in Fort Myers and The Daily Commercial in Leesburg. His work has appeared nationally in The Advocate, Wired and other publications. Events like SRQ’s Where The Votes Are workshops made Ogles one of Southwest Florida’s most respected political analysts, and outlets like WWSB ABC 7 and WSRQ Sarasota have featured his insights. He can be reached at [email protected].


2 comments

  • THE SAGE ELVIS PITTS AMERICAN

    September 13, 2024 at 8:20 pm

    Good evening FLORIDA,
    STAND BY FOR “THE REST OF THE STORY:
    I think we all agree on this Gruters Dude.
    ADMIT IT FLORIDA:
    Even though this Gruters Dude has an “R” beside his name, we could all see just by looking, that something is very wrong with him.
    That Gruters Dude just has that “Special Look” to him which 100% gives it away that he is 1). A “Dook 4 Brains Lefty”, 2). A “HomerTestical”, or 3.) A “HomerTestical Dook 4 Brains Leftist”.
    Which just got 100% proven – that Gruters Dude is all 3 – by teaming up with that Shevrin Jones dude.
    AND THAT IS “THE REST OF THE STORY”.
    Yours Truley,
    THE SAGE ELVIS PITTS AMERICAN

Comments are closed.


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