Trump indicates backing for marijuana legalization in Florida
His remark follows the announcement made a day earlier regarding his decision to vote against another ballot measure aimed at expanding abortion rights in Florida.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump voiced support on Saturday for a ballot initiative in Florida that aims to legalize marijuana for adults, adopting a moderate position in light of his otherwise unclear stance on the matter.
If the measure, known as Amendment 3, receives approval from 60 percent of voters in the upcoming general election, it would permit 25 state-licensed companies to sell marijuana for recreational use and allow adults to possess up to 3 ounces of the substance.
In a lengthy post on his social network Truth Social, the former president didn't formally endorse the initiative but asserted that — “whether people like it or not” — marijuana legalization “will happen.” He also noted his support for prohibiting marijuana use in public spaces.
“Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana,” Trump wrote.
As a Florida voter, Trump is eligible to participate in November’s state ballot initiatives, which include not only Amendment 3 but also Amendment 4, aimed at easing the state’s ban on abortion from six weeks to around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Amendment 3 has the backing of Florida's medical marijuana industry, which is one of the largest in the nation, generating over $2 billion in profits annually.
Florida state Senator Joe Gruters, a Trump ally and former state GOP chair, praised the former president’s position, stating on X: “I am incredibly proud to have President Trump stand alongside us in our effort to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for simple possession of marijuana and to give Floridians the same individual freedom to choose safe, tested products that more than half the country already enjoys.”
Historically, Trump has had a mixed stance on marijuana legalization. During his presidency, he expressed support for individual states' rights to legalize marijuana while also appointing Jeff Sessions, a strong opponent of legalization, as attorney general.
The Republican nominee has similarly issued conflicting statements regarding abortion rights. He has resisted endorsing a national abortion ban despite pressure from party members and stated that decisions about abortion limits should be left to individual states.
In a television interview on Thursday, Trump criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Florida Republicans, while indicating support for Amendment 4. However, just a day later, he stated he would not vote for Amendment 4, appearing to reverse his earlier position.
DeSantis has actively opposed both ballot measures, creating a political committee named the Florida Freedom Fund to challenge the legalization initiative and the efforts to protect abortion rights in the state’s constitution. He also initiated the “No on 3” campaign in July, which claimed the measure would result in “weed everywhere, every place, and in your face.”
DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment regarding Trump’s comments on Amendment 3.
Marijuana legalization has gained significant support nationwide in recent years, with 88 percent of Americans believing marijuana should be legal for personal or medical use, according to a March study by the Pew Research Center. Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have enacted legislation permitting its recreational use.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
If the measure, known as Amendment 3, receives approval from 60 percent of voters in the upcoming general election, it would permit 25 state-licensed companies to sell marijuana for recreational use and allow adults to possess up to 3 ounces of the substance.
In a lengthy post on his social network Truth Social, the former president didn't formally endorse the initiative but asserted that — “whether people like it or not” — marijuana legalization “will happen.” He also noted his support for prohibiting marijuana use in public spaces.
“Someone should not be a criminal in Florida, when this is legal in so many other States. We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl laced marijuana,” Trump wrote.
As a Florida voter, Trump is eligible to participate in November’s state ballot initiatives, which include not only Amendment 3 but also Amendment 4, aimed at easing the state’s ban on abortion from six weeks to around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Amendment 3 has the backing of Florida's medical marijuana industry, which is one of the largest in the nation, generating over $2 billion in profits annually.
Florida state Senator Joe Gruters, a Trump ally and former state GOP chair, praised the former president’s position, stating on X: “I am incredibly proud to have President Trump stand alongside us in our effort to end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults for simple possession of marijuana and to give Floridians the same individual freedom to choose safe, tested products that more than half the country already enjoys.”
Historically, Trump has had a mixed stance on marijuana legalization. During his presidency, he expressed support for individual states' rights to legalize marijuana while also appointing Jeff Sessions, a strong opponent of legalization, as attorney general.
The Republican nominee has similarly issued conflicting statements regarding abortion rights. He has resisted endorsing a national abortion ban despite pressure from party members and stated that decisions about abortion limits should be left to individual states.
In a television interview on Thursday, Trump criticized Florida’s six-week abortion ban, championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Florida Republicans, while indicating support for Amendment 4. However, just a day later, he stated he would not vote for Amendment 4, appearing to reverse his earlier position.
DeSantis has actively opposed both ballot measures, creating a political committee named the Florida Freedom Fund to challenge the legalization initiative and the efforts to protect abortion rights in the state’s constitution. He also initiated the “No on 3” campaign in July, which claimed the measure would result in “weed everywhere, every place, and in your face.”
DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment regarding Trump’s comments on Amendment 3.
Marijuana legalization has gained significant support nationwide in recent years, with 88 percent of Americans believing marijuana should be legal for personal or medical use, according to a March study by the Pew Research Center. Although marijuana remains illegal under federal law, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have enacted legislation permitting its recreational use.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
