Donald Trump recently emphasized on Truth Social that it’s time to “end needless arrests and incarcerations of adults” for personal marijuana use, particularly involving small amounts. This statement comes shortly after the former president indicated his support for legalizing marijuana for personal use in Florida.
In a September 9 post, Trump reiterated, “As I have previously stated, I believe it is time to stop arresting and incarcerating adults for small amounts of marijuana used personally. We need to adopt smart regulations and provide adults with access to safe, tested products. As a Floridian, I will be voting YES on Amendment 3 this November.”
Trump further noted, “As President, I will focus on researching the medical benefits of marijuana, reclassifying it as a Schedule 3 drug, and working with Congress to pass practical laws, including safe banking for state-authorized companies and supporting states’ rights to implement marijuana laws, as seen successfully in Florida.”
He added that “no one should be criminalized in Florida for marijuana possession when it’s legal in so many other states.” Trump previously stated that the measure is likely to pass “whether people like it or not” and that it should be “done correctly.” This stance contrasts with other Republicans, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who argued that legalizing recreational cannabis would negatively impact the quality of life. Medicinal marijuana has been legal in Florida since 2016.
According to the Pew Research Center, 24 U.S. states have legalized marijuana for personal and medical use, while 14 others allow medical use only.
Trump also pointed to the inconsistency in Florida’s laws compared to other states, saying, “We shouldn’t ruin lives or waste taxpayer money arresting adults with personal amounts of marijuana.”
In contrast, former Attorney General William Barr recently accused the Biden-Harris administration of politicizing cannabis legalization, ignoring scientific evidence. Barr, in a Fox News op-ed, criticized the administration for disregarding legal standards, stating that they are prioritizing political gain over the health and safety of Americans.
