The sponsor behind Florida’s adult-use cannabis legalization measure released an advertisement Oct. 16 featuring Donald Trump supporting Amendment 3.
The ad, called “Good,” highlights the GOP presidential candidate saying in an early September social media post that “As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3,” a constitutional ballot measure that needs a 60% supermajority to pass on Nov. 5.
The legalization initiative is sponsored by Smart and Safe Florida and primarily funded with more than $93 million contributed by Tallahassee-based medical cannabis company Trulieve, according to the Florida Division of Elections.
Trump’s endorsement of Amendment 3 comes despite Republican opposition in the Sunshine State, including from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, U.S. Sen Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Republican Party of Florida, and several GOP state legislators.
However, Trump’s public backing of the amendment represented a major opportunity for legalization advocates to gain bipartisan voter support to help cross that 60% threshold on Election Day.
Smart and Safe Florida’s latest “Yes on 3” campaign advertisement also shows Trump discussing his support for the measure during an interview last month with podcaster Lex Fridman.
“It’s gotta be a certain age,” Trump says. “It’s gotta be done in a very concerted, lawful way. And the way they’re doing it in Florida, it’s going to be very good.”
The advertisement highlights that Amendment 3 will help ensure consumer safety through lab-tested and regulated products and concludes that adult-use legalization will generate billions of dollars in tax revenue for Florida schools and law enforcement.
While Amendment 3 would legalize adult-use cannabis, allowing those 21 and older to purchase and possess up to 3 ounces of dried flower or 5 grams of concentrate for personal use, the state Legislature would be responsible for granting oversight authorities to a regulated marketplace.
Despite key political figures in Florida opposing the measure, Trump is joined by Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters, Florida Young Republicans, Republican Bradford County Sheriff Gordon Smith and other conservative groups and figures in his support.
In a separate advertisement recently released by Smart and Safe Florida, Gruters, the former head of the Republican Party in Florida, said the state’s outdated cannabis laws obstruct its citizens’ freedom. “Amendment 3 would give adults back that freedom and give Florida a chance to legalize marijuana responsibly,” Gruters said.
These campaign messages center on responsible legalization done the “right way” to allow adults to gain access to lab-tested cannabis while freeing up law enforcement to target violent crime over “petty possession charges.” This counters oppositional campaign messaging that often draws on fear of public safety, from impaired driving to youth use and public use.
Smart and Safe Florida spokesperson Morgan Hill said Florida voters should “not listen to the detractors.”
“Florida is the best-equipped state to smartly implement legalized adult-use recreational marijuana,” Hill said in an Oct. 16 press release. “The support across party lines is a strong sign that passing Amendment 3 is the best path forward for the state. It’s time to show the country how Florida can once again be a leader.”
Amendment 3 will not allow public smoking but instead will empower state lawmakers to regulate public consumption just like cigarettes and alcohol, according to Smart and Safe Florida.
H/T: www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com
