Sarasota GOP State Sen. Endorses Amendment 3, Opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida

Sarasota GOP state Sen. and former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Joe Gruters is endorsing Amendment 3, the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 years and older. In doing so, he is going up against Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida, who formally came out in opposition to the proposal in May.

Sen. Gruters’ Endorsement

In an interview, Gruters explained his decision to support the amendment now. “It’s based on a lot of conversations that I had with constituents and people that are in the process,” he told the Phoenix. “To me, it’s a realization of where we are, where we’re at as a society, what people are doing, what’s happened with medical marijuana overall, and I think it’s just been an evolving decision to which I said, ‘Let’s come out and support it. Let’s try to help this win and let’s get ahead of this to make sure we do it right.’”

A High-Ranking Endorsement

Gruters is the highest-ranked Republican in the Legislature to announce his support for the measure. A certified public accountant, he chaired the Republican Party of Florida from 2019 to 2023 and has served in the Florida Legislature since 2016. His endorsement is significant, considering his tenure and influence within the party.

Disagreement with the GOP

When asked about the Republican Party of Florida’s opposition to the measure, Gruters said, “The party should take positions that they believe, although I personally disagree on this personal subject.” His stance puts him at odds with many within his party, including Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Political Repercussions

Gruters has a history of aligning with former President Donald Trump and served as Florida co-chairman of Trump’s 2016 campaign. After endorsing Trump over DeSantis in the 2024 GOP presidential primary, the governor vetoed several of Gruters’ projects in the 2023-2024 fiscal year budget. “Simply because I support his political opponent, the governor chose to punish ordinary Floridians who want better water quality, less traffic congestion, and increased resources for disabled children to find gainful employment,” Gruters told Florida Politics last year.

Gov. DeSantis’ Opposition

Gov. DeSantis has been explicit about his opposition to Amendment 3 and has vowed to fight the measure this fall, including raising funds through his Florida Freedom Fund political committee. “This state will start to smell like marijuana in our cities and counties. It will reduce the quality of life,” the governor said after the Florida Supreme Court approved putting the measure on the November ballot.

Confidence in Regulation

Despite the opposition, Gruters expressed confidence in the state’s ability to regulate recreational cannabis effectively. He cited his work on legislation banning smoking on public beaches as an example of how the state can manage public health concerns. “I have full faith and confidence that the governor and the Legislature can put up guardrails to make sure that we do it right,” Gruters said.

Support from Smart & Safe Florida

“We are honored to have Sen. Gruters’ support, yet another example of the expansive coalition behind legalizing recreational adult-use marijuana,” said Morgan Hill, spokesperson for Smart & Safe Florida. “Individual liberty is not a partisan issue, and we’re glad to have Sen. Gruters on board to help spread our message of personal freedom and a safer Florida for all.”

Law Enforcement Opposition

While Gruters’ endorsement is a significant boost for the pro-Amendment 3 campaign, two major law enforcement organizations have declared their opposition to the proposed amendment. Florida Sheriffs Association President and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel stated, “The well-being and health of the citizens of Florida are threatened through the legalization and normalization of recreational marijuana.” He cited increased public health issues, road safety concerns, and a rise in youth marijuana use as major concerns.

The Florida Police Chiefs Association, representing over 1,300 of Florida’s top law enforcement executives, also opposes the measure. “As we represent the highest levels of law enforcement leadership in Florida, we believe that passage of Constitutional Amendment 3 ‘Adult Use of Marijuana’ – otherwise known as recreational marijuana – will hurt public safety and ultimately cost Floridians tax dollars and lives,” said Florida Police Chiefs Association President Chief Charles Vazquez.

The endorsement of Amendment 3 by Sen. Joe Gruters marks a significant political shift and highlights the evolving attitudes toward marijuana legalization within the GOP. As the November ballot approaches, the debate over Amendment 3 will continue to draw attention, with strong arguments on both sides of the issue.