Donald Trump has indicated his support for the legalization of marijuana for personal use in Florida, just ahead of a crucial vote on the issue this November. The former U.S. President, in a post on his Truth Social platform, expressed his belief that voters are likely to approve the measure, emphasizing the importance of implementing it "correctly."

Trump’s position on the matter contrasts with that of other prominent Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has argued that legalizing recreational cannabis would negatively impact the state's quality of life. Florida legalized medicinal marijuana in 2016.

Currently, cannabis for both personal and medical use is legal in 24 U.S. states, according to the Pew Research Center. Additionally, 14 states have legalized medical marijuana.

Trump stated, "No one should be a criminal in Florida when this is legal in so many other states. We shouldn't be ruining lives and wasting taxpayer dollars by arresting adults for possessing small amounts of it."

The proposal to legalize marijuana for personal use is among several amendments that Florida residents will vote on in November, coinciding with the U.S. presidential election. Trump, who is running against current Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party nominee, highlighted the need for regulations to prevent marijuana use in public spaces, ensuring it doesn't become a pervasive issue in public areas as seen in some cities.

Governor DeSantis has voiced concerns that legalizing recreational cannabis could turn Florida into cities like San Francisco or Chicago, both of which are in Democrat-led states. Illinois, where marijuana was legalized in 2020, saw cannabis sales exceeding $1 billion from January to July this year. In California, where personal use was legalized in 2016, marijuana sales reached $4.4 billion last year.

Despite these figures, there are concerns about the ongoing black market for cannabis, which some argue still thrives due to the high costs associated with legal permits and taxes, making legal cannabis more expensive. Bill Jones, head of enforcement for California's Department of Cannabis Control, remarked earlier this year that the black market remains pervasive and possibly larger than the legal market.

In a related matter, Trump recently caused some confusion regarding another amendment on Florida's ballot concerning abortion rights. After initially signaling support for expanding abortion rights from six weeks to 24 weeks, Trump later clarified that he would vote against the measure, following backlash from conservative supporters.

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