Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has voiced his support for a ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults in the state of Florida. "In Florida, as in many other states that have already given their approval, personal use of marijuana for adults will be legalized with Amendment 3," the former president stated on Saturday via his platform, Truth Social. "Whether people like it or not, this will happen with voter approval, so it must be done correctly."
In November, alongside the U.S. presidential election, Florida will hold a constitutional referendum on the issue, following the state Supreme Court's approval in April to include Amendment 3 on the ballot. This will allow voters to decide on the legalization of recreational cannabis use for adults in the state.
In his recent announcement, Trump argued that "no one should be classified as a criminal in Florida for something that is legal in so many other states." Framing his stance within his "Make America Safe Again" agenda, the former president asserted: "We don't need to ruin lives and waste taxpayer dollars arresting adults for possessing personal-use amounts of marijuana," adding, "No one should mourn a loved one who died from marijuana laced with fentanyl. We will make America SAFE again!"
Simultaneously, he urged for legislation to ban public use of cannabis: "We need the state legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit its use in public spaces, so it doesn't smell like marijuana everywhere, as it does in many Democrat-run cities."
If approved in the November elections, Amendment 3 would pave the way for adult marijuana sales in Florida to begin in May 2025.
During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump stated he would leave the issue's regulation to state authorities. However, once in the White House, he took a more reserved approach and even backed hardline positions pushed by his Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, as noted by a report from AFP.
The 45th U.S. President revoked in 2018 the federal tolerance policy implemented by Democrat Barack Obama's administration regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana use.
Marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, despite three-quarters of Americans living in states where it is legal. In May, the Department of Justice issued a recommendation to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug than it is currently considered.
A 2023 survey conducted by the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida (UNF) revealed that 70% of respondents would "strongly" or "somewhat" support a state constitutional amendment to legalize the regulated possession and sale of small amounts of marijuana for personal use by individuals over 21 years old. 29% said they would oppose the measure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marijuana Legalization in Florida
As Florida approaches a pivotal vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana, many residents have questions about what this could mean for the state. Here are some common inquiries and their answers:
What is Amendment 3?
Amendment 3 is a ballot measure that, if approved, would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults in Florida.
When would marijuana sales begin if Amendment 3 is passed?
If Amendment 3 is approved in the November elections, adult marijuana sales in Florida are expected to start in May 2025.
What did the recent survey by the University of North Florida reveal?
The survey by the University of North Florida's Public Opinion Research Lab showed that 70% of respondents support a state constitutional amendment to legalize the regulated possession and sale of marijuana for personal use, while 29% oppose it.