In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald J. Trump has expressed his support for a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in Florida. Although he stopped short of a full endorsement, Trump emphasized that he believed the criminalization of marijuana should not be enforced in his adopted home state when it is already legal in other parts of the country.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump acknowledged the inevitability of the measure, known as Amendment 3, being approved by the voters. However, he also raised concerns about its implementation, calling for the State Legislature to create responsible laws that prohibit public use of marijuana. Trump cited the prevalence of the odor of marijuana in Democrat-run cities as a reason for stricter regulations.

The former president's stance on Amendment 3 puts him at odds with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and many other Republican leaders in the state who are actively working to defeat the proposal. Trump's statement was carefully crafted to avoid fully endorsing the legalization of marijuana, while still hinting at his support for its decriminalization.

Although Trump did not declare his personal position on Amendment 3, he did emphasize that individuals should not be criminalized in Florida when marijuana is legal in numerous other states. He argued against wasting taxpayer dollars on arresting adults for possessing small amounts of marijuana, and expressed concern over potential dangers posed by fentanyl-laced marijuana.

Proponents of Amendment 3, such as the campaign group Smart and Safe Florida, welcomed Trump's support for their cause. They praised the former president for agreeing with their view that Florida should put an end to the unnecessary arrest and incarceration of adults for simple marijuana possession.

Recent polling indicates that a majority of Florida voters are in favor of Amendment 3, showcasing its popularity even beyond Trump's current Republican base. This suggests that many voters may split their ticket, supporting both the former president and marijuana legalization.

While the fate of Amendment 3 remains uncertain, it is worth noting that Florida voters have a history of electing Republicans while approving more liberal ballot measures. In 2016, the state overwhelmingly supported the legalization of medical marijuana with a 71 percent majority, despite Trump winning Florida by a narrow margin.

Governor DeSantis and prominent Florida Republicans are actively funding campaigns against not only the recreational marijuana amendment but also a separate measure called Amendment 4, which would legalize abortions before viability. The outcome of both amendments, requiring over 60 percent support to pass, is still uncertain.

However, not all Republicans are opposed to Amendment 3. State Senator Joe Gruters, a close ally of Trump and former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, broke ranks with his party to support the marijuana measure. Gruters views it as a common-sense decision prioritizing individual freedom, health, safety, and economic growth.

As public opinion continues to shift in favor of marijuana legalization, the support of influential figures like former President Trump lends further weight to the movement. The battle over Amendment 3 will undoubtedly intensify as the Florida election draws closer, with the outcome holding potential implications for the future of marijuana policy in the state and beyond.