Trump, Harris And DeSantis Face Off On Cannabis Legalization In Florida And Beyond

Smart & Safe Florida, the group behind the effort to pass a marijuana initiative, known as Amendment 3, is pushing back against Gov. Ron DeSantis's recent anti-cannabis blitz by stressing support for the initiative from his fellow Republican and former friend, Donald Trump.

The new ad, which began airing across Florida on Wednesday, features both Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris' endorsements of legalizing cannabis. The ad shows Harris saying, "We need to legalize it," followed by Trump telling a podcaster, "It's gotta be done in a very concerted, lawful way. The way they're doing it in Florida, it's going to be very good."

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Trump Vs. Harris: Do They Both Really Support Cannabis?

Trump announced on his Truth Social page at the end of August that as a Floridian he'd be voting Yes on Amendment 3, which will go before voters in the November election.

"In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalized for adults with Amendment 3. Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the Voters, so it should be done correctly,” Trump, a Florida resident, wrote in the post.

While Trump has not come out in support of federal legalization of cannabis, Harris made a formal endorsement to that end for the first time since becoming the Democratic presidential nominee.

"I just think we have come to the point where we have to understand that we need to legalize it and stop criminalizing this behavior," Harris said an interview with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson on the podcast "All the Smoke" in late September. "I have felt for a long time that we need to legalize it."

It’s Not About Red Vs. Blue Politics, Says Advocate

Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida said in a written statement that Amendment 3 is not about political parties but rather the principles of individual freedom.

"Amendment 3 isn't about political parties or red v. blue identities. Supporting the legalization of recreational adult use marijuana is about upholding the principles of individual freedom and liberty that our country was founded upon," Hill said in a written statement.

Now Read:

• DeSantis Battles $149M Cannabis Legalization Push In Florida’s Fiercest Amendment Fight Yet

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