After Owning the War on Drugs, the GOP Wonders Whether to Legalize Weed

The “Vote Yes on Amendment 3” campaign is running ads across the state with select sheriffs supporting it, saying its passage will shore up revenue for cash-strapped departments and let cops focus on more serious crimes. But Florida’s top Republican, Gov. Ron DeSantis, is campaigning against it.

How did the Sunshine state’s GOP end up so deeply divided over whether to legalize recreational marijuana, an issue that once united conservatives and helped define the “war on drugs” agenda for decades? 

The Florida Republican Party is noticeably divided over marijuana legalization, with DeSantis leading opposition while former President Donald Trump and young Republican voters support its recreational use. The battle is putting some of the major disagreements within the Florida Republican party on public display, from how people feel about Trump – who is neck and neck with Vice President Kamala Harris in the polls ahead of Election Day – to whether they think it’s a good idea to let adults use marijuana without a doctor’s note to justify it. That is something that is already legal in 24 states and on the ballot in six including Florida this November.

Republicans who lean libertarian and would like to see less government interference in Americans’ lives see Amendment 3 as an obvious step in the right direction. But other GOP conservatives see a poorly planned leap towards legalization that will foster addiction, abuse and criminal activity.

Desantis' rebuttal towards the legalization of recreational marijuana stems from wording that would apparently bar average people from being able to grow their own marijuana, and only being able to purchase from dispensaries. “Notice how they talk about freedom. In the amendment, you won't be able to grow your weed; you have to buy it from them,” DeSantis said on a visit to Cape Coral on Oct. 24.

Many voters are already split, with a poll from Florida Politics indicating that 64% of voters support recreational marijuana, which would be enough for the supermajority needed to pass the amendment. If Amendment 3 passes on Nov. 5, it would allow already established medicinal dispensaries to sell marijuana recreationally as well.

Trulieve, a medical marijuana distributor, has donated $92 million to Smart & Safe Florida political committee since 2022. They’re responsible for the ads that support legalization of marijuana. 

This would turn over 150 medical dispensaries that Trulieve owns into recreational stores. They have a reported revenue of $1.13 billion per year as medical dispensaries. 

Sheriff Gordon Smith of Bradford county emphasizes in a “Vote Yes on 3” ad that passing the amendment  would allow law enforcement to "concentrate on real crimes," while also providing them with necessary funding from the revenue of recreational marijuana. It could also possibly reduce the amount of fentanyl-laced marijuana on the streets, according to some advertisements. 

The law enforcement community is split on their stance for legalization, with only a few supporting sheriffs promoting “Vote yes on 3.” Sheriff Morris Young of Gadsden county, and Sheriff Gordon Smith of Bradford are among the few pushing for legalization. 

Meanwhile, Sheriff Wayne Ivey in Brevard County is transparent on his choices for the election. He addressed through Facebook the public questions regarding Amendment 3. “As you might imagine… I’m a huge NO!!” Wayne wrote. 

The Florida Young Republicans Party account on X, formerly known as Twitter, had announced their support for former President Donald Trump regarding his position on the ballot initiative. “We back the president’s stance on FL Amendment 3 to legalize cannabis,” said Florida Young Republican Party. But other chapters have spoken out, specifying that some of them are adamantly opposed.

At The Hookup, a smoke shop near FAU in Boca Raton, signs popped up on the lot outside  urging passersby to  vote no on Amendment 3. The signs were taken down in less than a day, and were promptly met with comments from a patron of the smoke shop.

“Even though I’m a Republican and my friend is a Democrat, weed still brings us together. We have our moments of differences, but we both agree times are changing. It [marijuana] needs to be regulated to keep ourselves safe from pesticides and companies like Trulieve,” said Casey Erickson, 22, sophomore, Palm Beach State College.

“I don’t think we should push on our beliefs with these lawn signs. And especially when this isn’t even your property it’s even more disrespectful,” said Erickson.

The Last Resort, a bar and pool hall in Delray Beach, was buzzing with conversations of the upcoming Amendment 3 vote on marijuana. With older party goers filling the room, among them was Nancy Morrison, 46, a retired business owner.

“I’m angry that our man [Trump] is supporting illegal activities such as the drug trade. We had the ‘war on drugs’ in the ‘80s. We’re undoing what some great men tried to stop,” said Morrison.

“Ever since Trump came out and started appealing to the young voters with support of Amendment 3, my family has been split,” she added. “We used to have fun Sunday dinners, until it turned into verbal arguments over politics.”

Another patron at the bar, Rick Horton, a retired deckhand, was vocal about his displeasure with Desantis and the Republican party’s discourse. 

“I stand behind the Republican candidate [Trump] not DeSantis,” said Horton, 54. “It’s my party, it's not perfect but what they’re envisioning with Project 2025 aligns with me. Amendment 3 is a step in the right direction of progress.”

While some are still divided based on regulations and public health concerns, Amendment 3 could be the opportunity to address those issues, and make a significant shift in Florida’s cannabis policy.