Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Shares Views on Cannabis Legalization Amid Presidential Aspirations

LOS ANGELES— Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, perceived by many as a strong GOP contender against Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential nomination, voiced strong concerns about the legalization of cannabis during an Iowa campaign stop on August 26.

Fielding a question from an attendee during a meet-and-greet event sponsored by the super PAC Never Back Down, Governor DeSantis firmly stated his opposition to the federal legalization of cannabis. “Not while I’m governor,” he echoed, reiterating a stance he had already asserted back in Florida in 2019.

The Florida governor elaborated on his concerns, pointing to the increasing potency of cannabis strains compared to those from several decades ago. He cautioned about potential risks, especially to young individuals, and the prospect of the drug being mixed with substances like fentanyl. He even made a controversial connection between cannabis legalization and public order issues, referencing a recent visit to San Francisco.

Drawing from Colorado’s example, DeSantis raised concerns about the perceived lack of success in combating the black market post-legalization. He did not, however, cite specific studies or reports to support his claims.

Data from California indicates that the illicit cannabis market is flourishing in areas where licensed cannabis businesses are not permitted, hence limiting access to regulated products. In stark contrast to DeSantis’s views, Colorado has recorded a decline in youth cannabis consumption from 19.7% in 2013, pre-legalization, to 13.3% in 2021, based on the Healthy Kids Colorado survey.

While his stance on cannabis may or may not influence the 2024 GOP primaries, with Trump leading in the polls, DeSantis’s opinions do carry weight in Florida. Advocates in the state are pushing for an adult-use cannabis ballot measure in 2024. Although the initiative is currently under judicial scrutiny, DeSantis’s influence is undeniable, especially considering he has appointed five of the seven justices presently serving on Florida’s Supreme Court.

If approved, the measure would face an additional hurdle, as amending Florida’s constitution requires a formidable 60% supermajority vote. Only three of the 14 states that have legalized adult-use cannabis via ballot measures have achieved such a significant margin.

In the same Iowa event, while expressing his reservations about broader legalization, Governor DeSantis did acknowledge the medical cannabis program in Florida, noting its constitutional foundation in the state and emphasizing its medical, rather than recreational, intent.