The upcoming November 2024 election in Florida could see a major shift in the state’s cannabis policy, with Amendment 3, the marijuana legalization initiative, facing a crucial test. According to Roger Stone, a longtime Trump ally and GOP political operative, a potential endorsement from former President Donald Trump could effectively guarantee the measure’s success.
While Trump has not explicitly endorsed the initiative, he has hinted at a possible shift in his stance on marijuana criminalization. At a recent press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Trump acknowledged Florida’s upcoming legalization effort, stating, “Florida has something coming up. I’ll be making a statement about that fairly soon.” He added, “As we legalize it throughout the country… it’s awfully hard to have people all over the jails that are in jail right now for something that’s legal.”
While Trump’s remarks stop short of a full endorsement, they do offer a window into his evolving perspective on marijuana. Despite facing fierce opposition from GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump’s neutrality on the issue is significant, especially given his influence in the state’s political landscape.
Stone, a self-proclaimed GOP “agent provocateur” and ardent advocate for cannabis reform, believes that Trump’s broader position aligns with his pro-choice stance on personal freedoms, with the exception of women’s rights to choose. Stone argues that Trump’s recognition of cannabis’ medicinal value would likely resonate with voters, particularly those who support individual liberty.
Stone’s conviction in Trump’s potential influence on the vote is rooted in the former president’s wide-reaching impact on Florida’s political landscape. He predicts that if Trump were to endorse the initiative, it would secure its passage. However, a neutral stance from the former president could make the outcome more contentious.
Despite Trump’s potential influence, Florida’s conservative legislature is unlikely to pass adult-use legalization anytime soon. This makes Amendment 3 a pivotal step towards reform in the state, and a possible Trump endorsement could prove crucial in tipping the scales in its favor.
