Florida’s Republican field for governor is unusually aligned on one hot-button issue: nobody wants to legalize recreational marijuana.
A new report shows that multiple GOP candidates — including sitting officials and major contenders in the 2026 race — are all taking a firm “no” stance on adult-use legalization, even as public support for reform remains relatively strong in the state.
Lt. Gov. Jay Collins was among the most explicit, saying in a social media video that he is “completely against legalizing marijuana” and warning that Florida shouldn’t follow other states down that path.
Other Republican candidates echo that position, arguing that Florida’s current medical cannabis system is enough and that full legalization would create more problems than it solves.
The unified messaging comes despite ongoing national momentum toward legalization and polling that has shown a majority of Florida voters supporting adult-use cannabis in some surveys.
With the 2026 governor’s race shaping up, marijuana policy is once again becoming a clear dividing line — just not within the GOP primary, where opposition to legalization appears to be the default position.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
