September 03, 2024

Trump Endorses Florida Ballot Initiative to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he supports a ballot initiative in Florida aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults aged 21 and older.

"Someone should not be a criminal in Florida when this is legal in so many other states," Trump stated on Truth Social regarding Amendment 3. He emphasized the need to prevent unnecessary arrests for small amounts of marijuana and to protect people from fentanyl-laced cannabis, adding, "We will make America SAFE again!"

Trump's stance contrasts with his opposition to another Florida ballot measure, Amendment 4, which proposes extending the state's abortion ban from six weeks to around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Both initiatives require 60% voter approval in the November 5 election to pass.

The marijuana amendment would permit 25 state-licensed companies to sell cannabis for recreational use and allow possession of up to 3 ounces. Medical marijuana is already legal in Florida.

With his residence at Mar-a-Lago, Trump is eligible to vote on these measures. He urged the state legislature to create laws that restrict marijuana use in public spaces, noting, "We do not want to smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat-run cities."

Florida's medical marijuana industry, one of the largest in the nation with over $2 billion in annual profits, backs the marijuana proposal. However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis opposes both ballot measures. He launched a political committee, the Florida Freedom Fund, to counter the legalization push and efforts to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

DeSantis, who initiated the "No on 3" campaign in July, argued that the amendment would lead to widespread marijuana use, stating, "weed everywhere, every place, and in your face."

Trump's stance on marijuana aligns with some of his allies, such as Florida state Senator Joe Gruters, who expressed pride in Trump's support for ending arrests for simple marijuana possession. Gruters highlighted the importance of giving Floridians the same individual freedoms enjoyed in other states.

According to a March Pew Research Center study, 88% of Americans support legalizing marijuana for personal or medical use. While marijuana remains illegal under federal law, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational use.

In addition to Florida, marijuana legalization will also appear on the ballot in South Dakota and Nebraska this November. Only three states-New Jersey, Arizona, and Maryland-have passed such measures with at least 60% approval.

Regarding the abortion issue, Trump recently told NBC News that Florida's six-week ban is "too short" and did not take a definitive stance on the ballot measure. This position has drawn criticism from anti-abortion advocates. He further explained to Fox News, "Six weeks, you need more time than six weeks," while also opposing late-term abortion practices.

Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign criticized Trump's stance, stating that he "will vote to uphold an abortion ban so extreme it applies before many women even know they are pregnant."

More Conservative News, Views & Values

Harris, Trump campaigns target workers on Labor Day
On Labor Day, both presidential campaigns are focusing on workers with the election just 65 days away. Neither candidate has been on the campaign trail since...

To continue reading this article please Click Here.


Trump issues statement from Gold Star families defending Arlington Cemetery visit and ripping Harris
Donald Trump's campaign issued a statement Sunday from the Gold Star military families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery as they defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris is...

To continue reading this article please Click Here.