Florida GOP Senator Claims Trump Was ‘Tricked’ Into Backing Marijuana Legalization

The debate over marijuana legalization in Florida has taken an unexpected turn, with a Republican state senator accusing campaigners of misleading former President Donald Trump into endorsing the initiative. The claim, made by Sen. Jon Martin, adds fresh controversy to an already heated issue that failed to pass in the 2024 election but remains in play for the future.

‘Massive Loophole’ Sparked Concern Among GOP Lawmakers

Florida’s Smart & Safe campaign pushed hard for marijuana legalization, spending over $100 million in its effort. But according to Sen. Martin, there was a major flaw in their proposal—one that he says could have led to unintended consequences.

His biggest concern? The proposal didn’t explicitly ban public consumption for recreational users. While medical marijuana users would still face restrictions on public smoking, recreational users would not. Martin described this as a “huge glitch” that could have led to a wave of public consumption issues statewide.

“Medical marijuana could be banned as far as smoking in public, but not recreational marijuana,” Martin said. “It was a huge glitch.” That loophole, he argues, could have created a regulatory headache and public nuisance problems if the measure had been enacted.

Trump’s Endorsement Under Scrutiny

Trump’s endorsement of the measure in September caught some by surprise, given his traditional stance on drug policy. He publicly stated that the amendment seemed like a positive move for Florida, adding that legalization must be handled carefully.

“We can live with the marijuana,” Trump said at the time. “It’s got to be a certain age [to purchase]. It’s got to be done in a very concerted, lawful way. And the way they’re doing it in Florida, I think is going to be actually good.”

Martin, however, believes Trump was misled into supporting the initiative. He argues that the campaign’s messaging was deceptive and that many, including Trump, were unaware of the public smoking loophole.

“They tricked Donald Trump into endorsing it,” Martin said. “There were a lot of people that fell for that trick.”

A Costly Mistake for Pro-Legalization Campaigners?

Beyond the political drama, the failed 2024 initiative turned out to be an expensive misstep. The primary financial backer of the campaign, Trulieve, poured millions into the effort—only for the measure to fall short at the ballot box.

According to Martin, the legal team behind the initiative made a crucial mistake, costing their supporters significant amounts of money. “The lawyers that put that on the ballot basically cost their client $100 million,” he said. “Actually, more than that.”

For cannabis advocates, that financial loss was a painful setback. Trulieve, one of the biggest multi-state cannabis operators, had provided the majority of funding for the campaign. The defeat meant not only a policy failure but also a substantial financial hit.

The 2026 Ballot Effort: A Lesson Learned?

In response to the criticisms and legal ambiguities of the 2024 measure, a revised marijuana legalization initiative has already been filed in hopes of making it onto the 2026 ballot. This time, the language is clearer—specifically prohibiting public smoking and vaping of marijuana.

Martin sees this as proof that the original campaign had been misleading. “That proves that they screwed up and they almost pulled one in under us,” he said.

With a new ballot measure now in the works, Florida voters may get another chance to weigh in on marijuana legalization in the near future. But the political battle is far from over, and with Trump’s name now caught up in the controversy, the stakes have only gotten higher.

By Benjamin Parker

Benjamin Parker is a seasoned senior content writer specializing in the CBD niche at CBD Strains Only. With a wealth of experience and expertise in the field, Benjamin is dedicated to providing readers with comprehensive and insightful content on all things CBD-related. His in-depth knowledge and passion for the benefits of CBD shine through in his articles, offering readers a deeper understanding of the industry and its potential for promoting health and wellness.

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