A Florida judge has tossed out Trulieve’s lawsuit against the state Republican Party, dealing another blow to the cannabis giant after its costly push to legalize marijuana failed at the ballot box. The ruling ends the company’s attempt to hold the GOP accountable for what it called a deceptive opposition campaign.
Court Sides With Florida GOP in Defamation Dispute
Judge Ronald W. Flury of the state’s Second Judicial Circuit ruled Friday that Trulieve’s claims against the Florida Republican Party didn’t hold legal ground. The lawsuit, filed ahead of November’s election, alleged that the GOP misled voters with false claims about Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional change to legalize adult-use marijuana.
In his decision, Flury dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning Trulieve can’t refile or amend its complaint. He concluded that the lawsuit had no viable path forward, writing, “Amendment would be futile as there are no set of facts that would state a cause for defamation.”
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power quickly celebrated the ruling, taking to social media over the weekend to declare victory. “The company tried to use lawfare against us,” he wrote, framing the case as an attack on free speech.
Trulieve’s Legal Move Falls Flat
Trulieve, which poured nearly $100 million into the Amendment 3 campaign, had accused the state GOP of deliberately misleading the public. The company claimed Republican-funded mailers and TV ads falsely suggested that only large corporations would benefit from legalization.
The lawsuit also pointed to statements that labeled the proposal a “monopoly,” arguing that such claims were deceptive since Florida’s existing medical cannabis market already operates under a vertically integrated system. Critics of Amendment 3, however, maintained that the measure would have limited new competition and barred home cultivation, reinforcing concerns about market control.
The legal fight was an extension of the high-stakes political battle over marijuana in Florida, where deep-pocketed interests on both sides spent heavily to sway voters. Despite Trulieve’s massive investment in the campaign, the amendment failed to reach the 60% threshold required for passage.
Florida GOP Doubles Down on Victory
State Republican leaders wasted no time framing the ruling as a decisive win—not just for them, but for Florida voters. Power, who has worked as a lobbyist for an association that includes hemp businesses opposing Amendment 3, took direct aim at Trulieve.
“Big Weed was rejected by Floridians in November, and now the court has thrown out their desperate attempt to undo the will of the electorate,” Power said in a statement. “As long as I’m Chairman, the Florida GOP will stand for free speech and against these out-of-state, liberal monopolies.”
His remarks reflected broader Republican efforts to cast Trulieve and its legalization push as a product of corporate greed rather than grassroots advocacy. Throughout the campaign, opponents argued that the initiative primarily served the interests of existing cannabis license holders while failing to offer home-grow rights or meaningful industry competition.
What’s Next for Florida’s Marijuana Fight?
With the lawsuit dismissed, the broader debate over marijuana legalization in Florida isn’t going away anytime soon. The failed ballot initiative was a major setback for cannabis advocates, but supporters are already regrouping for future efforts.
Key questions remain about the state’s path forward:
- Will a revised legalization measure emerge in 2026 with broader industry and public backing?
- How will Florida lawmakers address growing pressure to expand access to cannabis beyond the current medical program?
- Can smaller operators break through the state’s existing licensing structure, which heavily favors large, well-funded players like Trulieve?
For now, Trulieve hasn’t commented on whether it will pursue further legal action or a new ballot initiative. The company previously said the lawsuit was intended to “set the record straight” after what it saw as a misleading GOP opposition campaign.
Regardless of Trulieve’s next move, one thing is clear: Florida’s fight over marijuana isn’t over. And with millions of dollars at stake, both sides are gearing up for the next battle.
