By Justin Strekal of BOWL PAC
Ron DeSantis was once one of the most cool Republicans when it comes to marijuana.
Unfortunately, Ron DeSantis is a spineless politician who has capitulated to the majority of Republican prohibitionists. He is in direct opposition to the supermajority (including a majority among Republican voters) that supports legalization. It is for this reason that he should not be elected as president.
Before I continue to bash him, let me give you two reasons why DeSantis was once decent on cannabis. If only to show how pitiful he is to have taken a dramatic anti-cannabis stance:
- DeSantis, one of 45 Republicans in 2015 who voted against the criminalization of marijuana by states that have legalized it was among only 45 Republicans. 198 Republican colleagues voted for maintaining the status quo.
- commented that “we need to represent the will of the people in a good law which does what they intended” after criticizing the restrictive licensing structure of Florida’s medical cannabis program. I looked at the way some of this was done, and how they [lawmakers] created cartels, essentially.”
DeSantis’s previous positions are an example of how elected Republican Party members should take the ideal position: a libertarian, free-market-oriented approach. No ideology is perfect. However, from this position, conservative legislators would be able have an honest and reasonable conversation about reforming cannabis laws in order to protect their constituents’ freedoms, promote a competitive market and reduce the illegal market.
DeSantis, however, has adopted a much more extreme position in his campaign for president. He has adopted a full tilt Reefer Madness attitude to marijuana policy and rhetoric.
DeSantis stated in June 2023 that if he were elected to the White House, he would not decriminalize cannabis federally. Why? He said, incoherently, that cannabis is harmful to the workforce and inhibits productivity. It can also lead to death when contaminated.
What prompted this bold if not absurd position? A veteran, who spoke out on behalf of “broken vets…with service-connected illness, injury, and disease,” asked DeSantis whether he would decriminalize marijuana as president.
Even former President Donald Trump was more inclined to change his position on medical marijuana, despite not doing anything to improve access or protections for medical cannabis during his time in office.
DeSantis’s anti-cannabis stance is further reflected by his recent actions in Florida as governor. He supported and signed a new law that makes it harder for people who have cannabis-related convictions to be able gain employment within the restrictive Florida cannabis industries.
According to Marijuana Moment the new law eliminates “exemptions to employment background screenings of people with felonies three years after the offense, misdemeanors once they have completed their sentence, felonies which have now been reduced to misdemeanors by statute, and offenses which would have been felonies had they been committed by adults three years after the crime.”
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DeSantis was compelled, in other words, to make sure that the oppressive police state boot would remain on the necks and shoulders of victims of the drug war for many years to come, denying them an opportunity to earn a livelihood in a growing industry.
While there are few signs of hope for cannabis supporters in the GOP presidential field, there are some on the back benches. South Carolina senator Tim Scott is a leader in the bipartisan fight for criminal justice reforms, despite not having embraced legalization. Former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley said recently that state governments have the best right to decide on legalization. Vivek RAMaswamy and other lesser-known candidates made similar remarks.
One thing is for sure: Ron DeSantis’ recent derangement and the inaction of the Trump administration in implementing any cannabis policy favorable to the reform movement have resulted in the Republican presidential race polling at less than 10% of supporters of marijuana reform.
While we can hope for a change, I would not hold my breath as long as the Republican Party is dominated by extremism.
Justin Strekal was the founder of Better Organizing to Win Legalization (BOWL PAC) and BOWL PAC. He has over a dozen years of experience in campaigning and legislation. Prior to this, he spent five years as NORML’s political director and lobbyist. Strekal is a supporter of Marijuana Moment and has pledged a per month on Patreon. )
Bill Maher, a joint-smoking Bill Maher and GOP presidential candidate Ramaswamy discuss marijuana legalization in a chat
The post DeSantis’s Anti-Marijuana flip-flop is Yet Another Reason Why He Shouldn’t be Elected President (OpEd) first appeared on Marijuana moment.
