Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a long-time advocate for expanding legal marijuana access, has taken a surprising stance. Despite his history of supporting cannabis legalization, Gaetz announced his opposition to Amendment 3, a Florida ballot proposal that would legalize recreational marijuana. Gaetz’s opposition came to light during a re-election campaign rally in Pensacola, where he stated that he believes such issues should not be decided through state constitutional amendments.
This statement is particularly striking given Gaetz’s past actions. A decade ago, he was a driving force behind legislation legalizing low-THC medical marijuana in Florida. More recently, in 2023, he proposed ending cannabis use testing for members of the U.S. military.
Gaetz’s opposition to Amendment 3 aligns with other prominent Florida Republicans, including Gov. Ron DeSantis and U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who are staunchly against cannabis legalization. The Republican Party of Florida also opposes the initiative. However, Gaetz’s stance stands in contrast to state Sen. Joe Gruters, a former Republican Party of Florida chair and Trump ally, who has publicly supported the legalization measure.
Despite opposition from key Republican figures, support for Amendment 3 remains strong among Floridians. According to polls, 66% of Floridians favor legalizing adult-use cannabis. The outcome of the November vote, however, remains uncertain due to the mixed bag of opinions among Republican leaders and the significant financial support from anti-cannabis advocates like hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin.
While Gaetz’s shift in stance is surprising, it highlights the ongoing debate and evolving attitudes surrounding marijuana legalization in Florida and across the country. The November election will reveal the final outcome of this complex issue, with the potential to impact not only Florida’s political landscape but also the future of cannabis policy in the United States.
