Donald Trump has indicated his support for legalizing marijuana for personal use in Florida, his home state, as the issue heads to a public vote in November. The former president, and current Republican presidential candidate, made his position clear on his Truth Social platform, suggesting that legalization is likely to pass and emphasizing the need for it to be implemented properly.
Trump’s stance sets him apart from other prominent Republicans, notably Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has argued against legalizing recreational cannabis, citing concerns over its potential impact on the state’s quality of life.
“Voters are likely to approve the measure whether people like it or not, so it should be done correctly,” Trump wrote. He added, “No one should be considered a criminal in Florida when this is already legal in so many other states. We should not be wasting taxpayer money on arresting adults for having personal amounts of it.”
Florida legalized medicinal marijuana in 2016, and as the November vote approaches, the state could join the 24 other U.S. states where cannabis is legal for both personal and medical use. Another 14 states have legalized marijuana solely for medicinal purposes, according to data from the Pew Research Center.
Trump also stressed the importance of setting clear regulations if legalization is approved, including prohibiting public consumption to avoid the widespread presence of marijuana in public spaces. “We do not want to smell marijuana everywhere we go, as is the case in many Democrat-run cities,” he remarked, underscoring his concerns about public use.
Governor DeSantis, however, has expressed strong opposition to the proposal, warning that legalizing marijuana could have detrimental effects on Florida. He compared the potential outcome to cities like San Francisco and Chicago, where cannabis is legal, arguing that it could harm the state’s reputation and quality of life.
In contrast, states like Illinois and California, which have legalized personal use, have reported substantial legal cannabis sales. Illinois saw more than $1 billion in cannabis sales in just the first half of this year, while California’s marijuana market generated $4.4 billion in 2023 alone. Despite these figures, concerns remain about the persistence of black market sales, which some argue continue to thrive due to the high costs and taxes imposed on legal cannabis businesses.
This latest development comes as Florida residents prepare to vote on multiple amendments in November, including one that could significantly impact the state’s abortion laws. Trump recently sparked confusion over his stance on a proposed amendment that would expand abortion access, initially signaling support before clarifying that he would vote against it.
As the November vote approaches, Trump’s endorsement of marijuana legalization adds a new dynamic to the ongoing debate in Florida, further highlighting the divide within the Republican Party on this issue.