DeSantis Uses Opioid Settlement Funds for Anti-Cannabis Ads Ahead of Ballot Initiative

LOS ANGELES- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has drawn attention for using opioid settlement funds to finance an anti-cannabis campaign. The Florida Department of Children and Families reportedly allocated $4 million for advertisements discouraging cannabis and other drug use, coinciding with a broader push against Amendment 3—a ballot initiative aiming to legalize recreational cannabis for adults.

The timing of these ads, some of which associate cannabis use with mental health issues and impaired driving, aligns with DeSantis’ active campaign urging voters to reject the measure. Although these public service announcements do not explicitly mention Amendment 3, critics argue they implicitly aim to sway voter opinion ahead of the November election.

This use of funds, meant to address the opioid crisis, has sparked controversy. Some officials and cannabis advocates, including state Sen. Joe Gruters and groups like Smart & Safe Florida, have condemned the approach as misaligned with the funds’ intended purpose. Opponents contend that taxpayer dollars should not fund politically charged campaigns and have called the ads misleading due to mixed evidence regarding cannabis and issues such as impaired driving and public health risks.

Supporters of the legalization measure argue it would foster regulated markets and generate tax revenue, countering illicit sales. The campaign backing Amendment 3 has highlighted bipartisan support for the initiative, including endorsements from figures across political divides and significant financial contributions to advocacy efforts.

These developments illustrate the intensifying debate over cannabis policy in Florida and the strategic maneuvers influencing public perception as the election nears.