Donald Trump has announced his support for legalizing marijuana for personal use in Florida ahead of a crucial ballot in November. The Republican presidential nominee emphasized that the measure is likely to be approved by voters regardless of differing opinions and stressed the importance of implementing it correctly.
This stance places Trump at odds with prominent Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has expressed concerns that legalizing recreational cannabis could negatively impact the quality of life in the state. Since the legalization of medicinal marijuana in Florida in 2016, the debate over broader cannabis legislation has intensified.
Currently, cannabis for both personal and medical use is legal in 24 states across the U.S., with an additional 14 states allowing medical marijuana. Trump remarked on the incongruence of criminalizing marijuana use in Florida while it is legal in many other states, stating that “we do not need to ruin lives and waste taxpayer dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it.”
The upcoming November ballot will feature several amendments, including the marijuana legalization proposal alongside the presidential election, where Trump is competing against Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. Trump highlighted the necessity of regulations to restrict marijuana use in public spaces to avoid overwhelming scents in daily life, similar to experiences in many cities governed by Democrats.
In contrast, DeSantis has predicted that legalizing recreational cannabis would transform Florida into environments seen in San Francisco or Chicago. Comparatively, Illinois has seen significant cannabis sales since legalization in 2020, with figures exceeding $1 billion in the first half of the year. California, which legalized personal use in 2016, reported marijuana sales of $4.4 billion last year.
However, the efficacy of these legal markets remains under scrutiny, as black market sales reportedly continue to thrive despite legalized platforms. Industry leaders have acknowledged that the black market may surpass the legal market, compounding concerns over taxation and permit costs that can drive up prices.
In recent developments, Trump has also stirred confusion regarding another ballot measure in Florida concerning abortion rights. After facing backlash, he stated he would vote against the amendment aimed at expanding the current six-week ban on abortion to 24 weeks, despite initially expressing support. His campaign later clarified that he had not committed to a definitive vote on the amendment.
