‘Whether people like it or not’ Donald Trump backs Marijuana legalisation in Florida

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump on Saturday (Aug 31) threw his support behind a ballot initiative aimed at legalising recreational marijuana use in Florida. 

Taking to Truth Social, his social media platform, the former US president asserted his endorsement of the measure, and said, “Whether people like it or not, this will happen.”

“In Florida, like so many other States that have already given their approval, personal amounts of marijuana will be legalised for adults with Amendment 3,” said Trump. 

Putting a spin on the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement, Trump said through the legalisation, “We will make America SAFE again!”

He argued that individuals should not face criminal charges in Florida for actions that are legal in many other states. 

“Someone should not be a criminal in Florida when this is legal in so many other states,” Trump wrote.

“We do not need to ruin lives & waste Taxpayer Dollars arresting adults with personal amounts of it on them, and no one should grieve a loved one because they died from fentanyl-laced marijuana.”

Trump also advocated for regulations on public cannabis use “so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go like we do in many of the Democrat-run Cities.”

Marijuana and the US

In the US, the push for decriminalisation is resonating nationwide. As per news agency AFP, three-quarters of Americans reside in states where marijuana is either legal for recreational or medical use, or strictly medical use. 

Support is especially prevalent among younger demographics, a group that has increasingly aligned with Trump’s rival, Kamala Harris since she secured the Democratic nomination for president.

However, the initiative, which is set to appear on the November ballot alongside the presidential election, has met with resistance from Governor Ron DeSantis and other state Republicans.

Earlier this year, DeSantis voiced concerns that the amendment could turn Florida into a “San Francisco or Chicago.” 

“We got to keep our streets clean,” he asserted.

(With inputs from agencies)