DeSantis Criticizes Florida’s Recreational Cannabis Campaign

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently sparked controversy with his remarks about the campaign for Florida’s recreational marijuana ballot measure. During a breakfast speech last month at the Republican National Convention, DeSantis claimed the campaign was driven by “one company from Canada.” He questioned the validity of allowing Florida’s Constitution to be influenced by a foreign entity, stating, “How ridiculous is this, that we would let our Constitution basically be rent-seeking for some Canadian marijuana company? I mean, give me a break.”

Trulieve Responds: Florida Roots and Operations

The company at the center of DeSantis’ criticism, Trulieve, is the largest medical marijuana operator in Florida. Trulieve’s top officials quickly contested DeSantis’ description. In a statement, CEO Kim Rivers emphasized the company’s deep roots in Florida. “The fact of the matter is that Trulieve is Florida-born, our products are Florida-grown and we are headquartered in Florida with most of our nearly 4,000 employees living here as well,” Rivers stated. She added, “I am a Florida native, born and raised here, and this is my home. And, I might add, Florida law requires us and all MMTCs (medical marijuana treatment centers) to be Florida-based, so any statements to the contrary are completely false.”

The Canada Connection: A Technicality or Misrepresentation?

While Trulieve is headquartered in Florida, the company has a connection to Canada through its corporate structure. In 2018, Trulieve acquired a mining business in Canada via a reverse takeover, creating Trulieve Cannabis Corp. This move allowed the company to be publicly traded on a Canadian stock exchange, a strategic decision to circumvent U.S. stock market restrictions due to the federal prohibition of marijuana.

Trulieve spokesperson Steve Vancore clarified the situation, stating, “The only connection to Canada is a holding company that was formed so that stocks can be publicly traded. Trulieve Cannabis Corp is NOT the licensee nor has it, the holding company, made a single donation to the Smart & Safe Florida campaign.”

Funding the Campaign: Florida’s Role in the Amendment

The campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida, led by Smart & Safe Florida, has received substantial financial support from Trulieve Inc., which has contributed around $60 million. The proposed Amendment 3, if passed with at least 60% of the vote in the 2024 general election, would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana, with no more than 5 grams in concentrated form.

Despite the criticism, neither Smart & Safe Florida nor Vote No on 3, the campaign opposing the amendment, responded to requests for comment. DeSantis’ representatives also did not provide a statement.

Contradictions and Criticisms

DeSantis’ criticism of Trulieve has drawn comparisons to his efforts to bring Canadian pharmaceuticals to Florida. John Morgan, founder of the law firm Morgan & Morgan and a prominent advocate for medical marijuana legalization in Florida, pointed out the irony in DeSantis’ stance. “DeSantis has been attacking Trulieve for being from Canada,” Morgan wrote in a social media post. “It’s not true of course, Trulieve is BY LAW a Florida-based company. But now he is crowing about how hard he is working to bring Canada pharmaceuticals to Florida. You just can’t make this stuff up.”

Expert Opinion: The Relevance of the Canada Connection

University of Florida finance professor Jay Ritter offered a nuanced view on the issue. When asked whether it is accurate to label Trulieve as a Canadian company, Ritter said, “I can see both ‘yes’ and ‘no’ being correct answers.” He described Trulieve as a “U.S. company that is traded in Canada” and emphasized that the decision to support or oppose the amendment should be based on opinions about marijuana legalization, not the company’s trading status.

As the debate over Amendment 3 continues, the focus remains on whether Floridians will support the legalization of recreational marijuana, with Trulieve at the forefront of the campaign.