‘They don’t want the smell of the devil’s lettuce’: DeSantis and Trump clash on cannabis policy
Trump, who resides in Florida, expressed his intention to support the amendment aimed at legalizing recreational marijuana for adults in the state, despite DeSantis actively campaigning against it.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are once again at odds, this time over a ballot initiative in Florida that seeks to legalize marijuana use for adults in their home state.
Last week, Trump, who is in his third campaign for the presidency, formally expressed his support for the measure. This comes despite the fact that DeSantis, Trump's former rival in the presidential primary, has made significant efforts to rally opposition against Amendment 3. DeSantis argues that the initiative is a tactic by Florida's $2 billion medical marijuana industry to establish a monopoly, stating that its vague language would permit individuals to carry multiple pre-rolled “joints” and smoke them in public without repercussions.
As was evident during the presidential primary — where most congressional delegates supported Trump while state legislators leaned toward DeSantis, aside from a few notable exceptions — the tension between Florida's two leading Republican figures is once again forcing party members to choose sides. DeSantis has voiced frustrations that align with many state Republicans' historical resistance to marijuana legalization, recently admonishing Republican lawmakers for their lack of action against this measure and another initiative aimed at expanding abortion rights.
“You say you’re all about these issues, and then when it’s time to do something about it you’re nowhere to be found,” DeSantis remarked in a recent discussion at a church in Tallahassee. “That is what courageous leadership is all about.”
At this stage, most state Republicans have remained silent regarding the issue or expressed opposition to legalization, with the state Republican Party officially denouncing the proposal and committing to combat it. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a Trump ally, claims to be the only Republican state legislator supporting the measure publicly.
Conversely, former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg who previously advocated for legalization in the Legislature before reaching his term limit, contends that at least half of Republican lawmakers secretly back Amendment 3, even as they publicly oppose it. He noted that previous legalization bills he proposed, which stalled in committee, received private backing from many Republicans in both the House and Senate, but none were willing to go against DeSantis or the Republican leadership.
“This is just evidence that the Legislature is completely impotent when it comes to taking this thing on and doing this legislatively,” Brandes stated. “They are unwilling to do the hard work because they don’t want the smell of the devil’s lettuce on them.”
Amendment 3 aims to legalize marijuana for those aged 21 and older, contingent upon receiving at least 60 percent approval from voters. Supporters of the initiative believe they will require about half of that backing from Republicans.
Historically, pot-related initiatives have been able to exceed the 60-percent threshold, though the current composition of registered voters in Florida has shifted. In 2016, voters passed medical marijuana legalization with 71 percent support, at a time when there were 400,000 more Democratic voters than Republicans. Presently, the GOP has a million more registered voters than the Democrats.
If passed, Amendment 3 would significantly benefit Florida's medical marijuana sector, which is the largest in the nation, by allowing the state's 25 licensed pot companies to venture into the recreational market. The Smart & Safe Committee, advocating for the measure, has raised over $94 million in contributions, predominantly from Trulieve, the largest medical marijuana company in Florida, which operates around 150 retail outlets statewide.
In response to inquiries about Republican backing for Amendment 3, Smart & Safe spokesperson Morgan Hill referenced a June Fox News poll indicating that 57 percent of Republicans support the initiative. “Floridians agree that it’s time to stop arresting adults for simple marijuana possession and that Floridians deserve access to safe, lab-tested products,” Hill wrote in an email.
Trump's campaign mentioned his support for the amendment through posts on Truth Social but declined to comment on DeSantis’ opposition. A representative for the governor did not respond to a request for comment.
While Trump has expressed support for the amendment, he has not been particularly active in the campaign for its passage. In contrast, DeSantis has been vocal against the initiative, traveling across the state to rally opposition, and his political network is closely aligned with efforts to defeat the measure.
Both of Florida’s incoming legislative leaders — House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez and Senate President-designate Ben Albritton — oppose Amendment 3. Albritton stressed his concerns in a statement, arguing that the state’s medical marijuana law already offers sufficient access for patients in need.
“I am seriously concerned about the harm Amendment 3 will bring to our state and our future generations,” Albritton wrote. “Legalizing recreational use will accelerate our behavioral health crisis, pose harm to our children at critical stages of development and increase impaired driving on our roads.”
Outside of Gruters, who maintains a connection with Trump, few current Republican officials seem inclined to challenge the governor or their legislative leaders. Gruters did appear in a Smart & Safe campaign advertisement alongside a Democratic state senator, where he articulated both his support for Trump and for Amendment 3. “It’s not about politics, it’s about Florida,” he states in the ad.
The division within the party has been increasingly noticeable at grassroots levels. Last week, the Smart & Safe Committee announced an endorsement from the Florida Young Republicans.
“The Florida Young Republicans hereby stand with President Trump on his positions regarding the Florida ballot measures,” the group stated.
However, this endorsement was quickly followed by an opposing declaration from a Tallahassee-based chapter of the organization, which announced its rejection of the measure — a statement signed by over 30 members statewide.
Many members of the Capital Young Republicans chapter are employed by state agencies overseen by the governor’s office. “We are committed to ensuring that Floridians see Amendment 3 for what it truly is and urge all voters to reject it in the coming election,” their statement read.
The divide is further illustrated on a personal level. The 2017 law crafted to implement the medical marijuana initiative was sponsored by former state Sen. Rob Bradley, a Republican. He supports Amendment 3, while his wife, current state Sen. Jennifer Bradley, also a Republican, opposes it.
Efforts to reach Senator Bradley for comment were unsuccessful.
“We agree on 95 percent, but not this one,” the former Sen. Bradley stated.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
Last week, Trump, who is in his third campaign for the presidency, formally expressed his support for the measure. This comes despite the fact that DeSantis, Trump's former rival in the presidential primary, has made significant efforts to rally opposition against Amendment 3. DeSantis argues that the initiative is a tactic by Florida's $2 billion medical marijuana industry to establish a monopoly, stating that its vague language would permit individuals to carry multiple pre-rolled “joints” and smoke them in public without repercussions.
As was evident during the presidential primary — where most congressional delegates supported Trump while state legislators leaned toward DeSantis, aside from a few notable exceptions — the tension between Florida's two leading Republican figures is once again forcing party members to choose sides. DeSantis has voiced frustrations that align with many state Republicans' historical resistance to marijuana legalization, recently admonishing Republican lawmakers for their lack of action against this measure and another initiative aimed at expanding abortion rights.
“You say you’re all about these issues, and then when it’s time to do something about it you’re nowhere to be found,” DeSantis remarked in a recent discussion at a church in Tallahassee. “That is what courageous leadership is all about.”
At this stage, most state Republicans have remained silent regarding the issue or expressed opposition to legalization, with the state Republican Party officially denouncing the proposal and committing to combat it. State Sen. Joe Gruters, a Trump ally, claims to be the only Republican state legislator supporting the measure publicly.
Conversely, former state Sen. Jeff Brandes, a Republican from St. Petersburg who previously advocated for legalization in the Legislature before reaching his term limit, contends that at least half of Republican lawmakers secretly back Amendment 3, even as they publicly oppose it. He noted that previous legalization bills he proposed, which stalled in committee, received private backing from many Republicans in both the House and Senate, but none were willing to go against DeSantis or the Republican leadership.
“This is just evidence that the Legislature is completely impotent when it comes to taking this thing on and doing this legislatively,” Brandes stated. “They are unwilling to do the hard work because they don’t want the smell of the devil’s lettuce on them.”
Amendment 3 aims to legalize marijuana for those aged 21 and older, contingent upon receiving at least 60 percent approval from voters. Supporters of the initiative believe they will require about half of that backing from Republicans.
Historically, pot-related initiatives have been able to exceed the 60-percent threshold, though the current composition of registered voters in Florida has shifted. In 2016, voters passed medical marijuana legalization with 71 percent support, at a time when there were 400,000 more Democratic voters than Republicans. Presently, the GOP has a million more registered voters than the Democrats.
If passed, Amendment 3 would significantly benefit Florida's medical marijuana sector, which is the largest in the nation, by allowing the state's 25 licensed pot companies to venture into the recreational market. The Smart & Safe Committee, advocating for the measure, has raised over $94 million in contributions, predominantly from Trulieve, the largest medical marijuana company in Florida, which operates around 150 retail outlets statewide.
In response to inquiries about Republican backing for Amendment 3, Smart & Safe spokesperson Morgan Hill referenced a June Fox News poll indicating that 57 percent of Republicans support the initiative. “Floridians agree that it’s time to stop arresting adults for simple marijuana possession and that Floridians deserve access to safe, lab-tested products,” Hill wrote in an email.
Trump's campaign mentioned his support for the amendment through posts on Truth Social but declined to comment on DeSantis’ opposition. A representative for the governor did not respond to a request for comment.
While Trump has expressed support for the amendment, he has not been particularly active in the campaign for its passage. In contrast, DeSantis has been vocal against the initiative, traveling across the state to rally opposition, and his political network is closely aligned with efforts to defeat the measure.
Both of Florida’s incoming legislative leaders — House Speaker-designate Daniel Perez and Senate President-designate Ben Albritton — oppose Amendment 3. Albritton stressed his concerns in a statement, arguing that the state’s medical marijuana law already offers sufficient access for patients in need.
“I am seriously concerned about the harm Amendment 3 will bring to our state and our future generations,” Albritton wrote. “Legalizing recreational use will accelerate our behavioral health crisis, pose harm to our children at critical stages of development and increase impaired driving on our roads.”
Outside of Gruters, who maintains a connection with Trump, few current Republican officials seem inclined to challenge the governor or their legislative leaders. Gruters did appear in a Smart & Safe campaign advertisement alongside a Democratic state senator, where he articulated both his support for Trump and for Amendment 3. “It’s not about politics, it’s about Florida,” he states in the ad.
The division within the party has been increasingly noticeable at grassroots levels. Last week, the Smart & Safe Committee announced an endorsement from the Florida Young Republicans.
“The Florida Young Republicans hereby stand with President Trump on his positions regarding the Florida ballot measures,” the group stated.
However, this endorsement was quickly followed by an opposing declaration from a Tallahassee-based chapter of the organization, which announced its rejection of the measure — a statement signed by over 30 members statewide.
Many members of the Capital Young Republicans chapter are employed by state agencies overseen by the governor’s office. “We are committed to ensuring that Floridians see Amendment 3 for what it truly is and urge all voters to reject it in the coming election,” their statement read.
The divide is further illustrated on a personal level. The 2017 law crafted to implement the medical marijuana initiative was sponsored by former state Sen. Rob Bradley, a Republican. He supports Amendment 3, while his wife, current state Sen. Jennifer Bradley, also a Republican, opposes it.
Efforts to reach Senator Bradley for comment were unsuccessful.
“We agree on 95 percent, but not this one,” the former Sen. Bradley stated.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
