Will DeSantis let Floridians vote on marijuana?
In his quest to fight cannabis legalization and a nanny state, will DeSantis allow Floridians to vote for marijuana?
DeSantis is recovering from his failed presidential bid and is working to restore his reputation in Florida. He is known for being tough, determined and getting his goals through. His historic battle with Disney garnered national attention, but it didn't quite go the way DeSantis planned. His reputation is damaged and he is doubling down on his tactics. He has opposed cannabis legalization from the start. So will DeSantis let Floridians vote on marijuana?
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Currently, DeSantis is trying to use state resources to prevent Sunshine State citizens from voting on other issues. But what about marijuana? DeSantis is adamantly opposed to it, despite campaign contributions from some major cannabis companies.
Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images
When medical marijuana was first put to the ballot, citizens were in favor. That was reasonable, given the number of veterans and senior citizens in the state. PTSD and chronic pain are two of the reasons the American Medical Association, the Department of Health and Science, and academia recognize the medical benefits of cannabis. In general, Florida is among the top three states with the most retirees, a group the governor could count on for support, but the state supported medical marijuana by 61%. The governor felt that wasn't enough support, so he put them to another vote, making it clear he didn't want the bill to pass. It passed by 71%. Now the state wants to pass recreational marijuana by ballot, and the governor is unhappy.
The pro-marijuana group collected enough signatures and outraised the opposition by $75 million to $14 million. On another recent ballot initiative, DeSantis has taken a different tack. The other group also collected enough signatures and support. But in an unprecedented move, the governor has used state resources to go door-to-door and ask people if they signed the petition. In addition, the governor has allowed the seal of a state agency to be used in ads opposing a ballot initiative, a highly common move.
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The Republican presidential candidate has spoken out in favor of recreational cannabis use in Florida, but so far this has not swayed DeSantis's stance. The relationship between the Republican leader and the governor is strained, so it is unclear whether this will make a difference in the campaign.
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