Two of the nation’s largest marijuana multistate operators, Trulieve Cannabis Corp. and Curaleaf Holdings, pumped another $6 million into Florida’s adult-use legalization campaign, the most expensive ballot effort in U.S. history.
Tallahassee-based Trulieve contributed $5 million, according to the latest tally from Sept. 7 to Sept. 13, while Massachusetts-headquartered Curaleaf kicked in $1 million to the Smart & Safe Florida committee, according to the News Service of Florida.
Trulieve has largely bankrolled the legalization campaign, dispersing nearly $93 million in cash and in-kind contributions since 2022, according to data from the Florida Department of State Division of Elections.
Fundraising campaigns for and against Amendment 3 have attracted more than $105 million, making it the most expensive marijuana legalization measure ever, according to Ballotpedia.
California’s Proposition 64, which legalized recreational sales, cultivation and home grows in that state, is a distant second, raising $27.1 million.
Trulieve, arguably, has more to gain than other cannabis operator in Florida.
The MSO operates 155 of 627 licensed medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, nearly a quarter of the entire market, according to MJBizDaily research.
Meanwhile, a Florida state agency is under fire for a public service announcement that links marijuana legalization with car crashes, a common trope used by opponents and law enforcement.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Smart & Safe Florida sent cease-and-desist letters to about 50 TV stations across the state after the Florida Department of Transportation released a 30-second video in which the narrator says, “DUI crashes increase in states with legalized marijuana, putting everyone at risk.”
Politico first reported on the video, which the legalization committee panned as a “ruse to obtain the highly discounted rates” for airing PSAs and “propaganda designed to influence the public’s vote,” local media outlets reported.
If Amendment 3 passes with more than 60% voter approval, the law would:
- Allow existing MMJ dispensaries to sell adult-use cannabis in May 2025.
- Legalize possession of up to 3 ounces of marijuana for adults 21 and older.
- Continue to ban home grows, similar to the state’s medical marijuana law passed in 2016 , a rare restriction in any regulated market.
- Fail to establish a social equity program.
