There may be no more apt visual metaphor for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ experience over the past few years than his opposition to a proposed marijuana legalization ballot initiative — which he actually announced on Tuesday. Above, standing behind a sign celebrating Freedom Month.
“I don’t want this state to smell like marijuana,” DeSantis said, acquiescing to one of the laziest arguments against marijuana freedoms, but one that DeSantis has used for years. “We’re doing great. We don’t need to do this.”
How about Freedom Month?
To be fair to DeSantis, the jarringly jarring sign was a celebration of the state’s May sales tax holiday. Even so, the gap between DeSantis’s pro-liberty message and his actions as governor has become a recurring theme for the one-time presidential candidate.
After all, this is the same person who wrote a book called the courage to be free, But he has earned a reputation in conservative politics by using state power to crack down on drag queens, student groups and others who have the courage to express their opinions freely. On the presidential campaign trail, DeSantis would speak of the importance of school choice and parental rights, then promise tighter state control of school curriculum. He supports Florida as a refuge for Americans fleeing poor policies from other state governments even as he seeks to deport immigrants who come to the United States to vote with their feet for the same reasons.
To DeSantis, freedom seems to mean you can do whatever you want — but only if he agrees.
DeSantis applies the same logic to marijuana legalization, which is disappointing but not surprising. Florida residents may have a chance to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana in November, but DeSantis promised Tuesday that he would “get involved in a different way” to oppose the ballot initiative. It’s unclear exactly what DeSantis means, but state Attorney General Ashley Moody and a number of anti-legalization groups have filed a lawsuit in state court to prevent the initiative from reaching the ballot.
Ballot initiative Florida Amendment 3 would amend the state’s constitution to allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana. Existing licensed medical marijuana distribution centers (Florida voters approved medical marijuana in 2016) would be the only places allowed to distribute recreational marijuana, although state lawmakers could pass new laws to allow commercial distribution and home cultivation.
as Marijuana moment noted that an economic analysis of the ballot initiative shows legalization would be a boon to Florida, bringing in $195.6 million to $431.3 million in new sales tax revenue annually.
Greater freedoms and higher taxes for Floridians appear less important to DeSantis than the fact that some residents of the state may not like the smell of coolers. “You want to walk the streets here and smell it,” he asked rhetorically on Tuesday. “Are you unable to take your family out to eat because you’re worried?”
If this is the best argument opponents of legalization in Florida can make, there may be no reason to worry. Even so, the governor’s (admittedly quite popular) campaign against legalization remains an electoral factor.
Voters appear divided on legalization: A poll conducted last month USA Today Ipsos data shows 49% of Floridians support the ballot initiative, including 38% of registered Republicans. This is well below the 60% threshold required for the amendment to pass.
What DeSantis does as Florida governor will continue to have a national impact, and not just because he remains one of the most prominent Republican politicians in the country.He is reportedly seeking to repair his relationship with former President Donald Trump – the two reportedly had dinner this week Washington post— and could play a role in a future Trump administration or as a Republican presidential candidate in 2028.
By then, maybe he’ll get over his fear of the smell of weed.
