Former President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he supports legalizing marijuana.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he backs ending arrests and jail time for adults caught with small amounts of marijuana. He also supports properly implementing Amendment 3, which would legalize personal amounts of marijuana for adults in Florida.
Trump emphasized his reputation as a strong “LAW & ORDER” president and said that while he wants to keep the streets safe from violent crime, it's important to handle marijuana legalization responsibly. He believes the states “to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces, so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat run Cities.”
Trump also pointed out that it doesn't make sense to criminalize marijuana in Florida when it's legal in many other states. He argued that lives shouldn't be ruined, and taxpayer money shouldn't be wasted on arresting adults for small amounts of marijuana. He also mentioned the danger of fentanyl-laced marijuana and vowed to make America safe again.
The Washington Times continues:
On Saturday, Mr. Trump showed his support for Florida's Amendment 3 in a Truth Social post. If passed in November, the law would allow for the purchase and possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for people over age 21.
“Whether people like it or not, this will happen through the approval of the voters, so it should be done correctly,” Mr. Trump said. “We need the State Legislature to responsibly create laws that prohibit the use of it in public spaces so we do not smell marijuana everywhere we go, like we do in many of the Democrat-run Cities.”
Usage and possession of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes is legal in nearly 40 states.
Mr. Trump's stance on Florida's upcoming ballot measure comes as the Biden administration works to reclassify marijuana under federal drug laws, a push that would recognize the medical, not recreational, use of the drug.
Public opinion has shifted significantly in favor of marijuana legalization in recent decades. A 2023 Gallup poll showed that around 68% of Americans supported the legalization of marijuana. This level of support has been steadily increasing over the past few decades, reflecting broader changes in societal attitudes towards cannabis use. The growing support is also reflected in the increasing number of states that have legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use.
READ NEXT: Trump Responds To Shocking Video Of Venezuelan Gang's Apartment Seizures
