DeSantis Rejects Cannabis Legalization Despite Rising Bipartisan Support, Poll Reveals (UPDATE)

Author: Maureen Meehan | August 30, 2024 09:24am

Editors note: This article has been updated to include Gov. Ron DeSantis’s response and comments.

In a poll conducted by the James Madison Institute released on Thursday, 64% of Florida voters expressed support for legalizing recreational marijuana, indicating strong backing for the initiative known as Amendment 3 to be decided in the upcoming November 2024 election.

Published in The Capitolist, the poll revealed bipartisan support as Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) intensified his opposition to the initiative. The governor faced criticism on Thursday from cannabis advocates and industry leaders after accusing Florida’s largest medical marijuana retailer Trulieve (OTC:TCNNF) of backing the initiative in order to secure a “constitutionally-protected monopoly.” he also alleged that Amendment 3 was crafted by Trulieve’s CEO, Kim Rivers.

Amendment 3: written by the CEO of a weed company that has poured $70 million (and counting) into the effort so that the company gets a constitutionally-protected monopoly on the market.

This is bad policy and even worse constitutional law. https://t.co/9DenQ4ltkt

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 28, 2024

Read Also: Ron DeSantis Slams Trulieve’s Alleged ‘Canadian’ Ties In His Battle Against Cannabis Legalization

Poll Results

While 64% of likely voters favor the amendment, 27% oppose it and 12% remain undecided. Democratic voters show the highest level of support at 74%, followed by Independents at 61% and Republicans at 54%.

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Support is consistent across gender lines:

• 65% of men in favor
• 62% of women in favor

Age groups show strong support:

• 62% of voters aged 18-34 in favor
• 68% of voters aged 35-54 in favor
• 58% of voters aged 65 and older in favor

Ethnic support is robust:

• 66% of Black or African American voters in favor
• 65% of Hispanic voters in favor
• 63% of White, non-Hispanic voters in favor

Regional support varies:

• Southwest and North Florida: 69% in favor
• Southeast Florida: 59% in favor

Popular Support — And Lots Of Money

Financially, the pro-cannabis campaign led by Smart and Safe Florida, is in a strong position, having amassed $71.8 million as of mid-August, according to the latest data from the Florida Division of Elections.

GOP Support — And Not As Much Money

Opposition to Amendment 3 is being led by two political action committees (PACs), Keep Florida Clean Inc. and the Florida Freedom Fund, which have raised $14.5 million collectively, a fraction of the funds amassed by the pro-cannabis campaign.

If passed, state economists estimate that the measure could generate between $195.6 million and $431.3 million annually in sales tax revenue, with an additional $43.6 million expected from tourism.

Now Read:

• Ron DeSantis’ Anti-Cannabis Warpath Strewn With Dissenting GOP Colleagues, Not Enough Money, Polls Favoring Legalization

Posted In: TCNNF