The political committee sponsoring a ballot initiative that would allow recreational marijuana collected nearly $314,000 in new donations, according to its latest campaign finance filing.
The report, which covered the second week of July, showed that the bulk of new donations to Smart & Safe Florida, which is supporting Amendment 3, came from two companies involved in the marijuana business.
Verano Holdings, which is based in Chicago, donated $250,000. Oregon-based Dutchie gave $50,000. Verano already has 77 medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida and recently just opened new locations in Miami-Dade and Pasco counties.
Verano gave $2.25 million to Smart & Safe Florida in late March. The company website describes Verano as an “active supporter” of the effort to pass Amendment 3.
Smart & Safe Florida has now raised nearly $61.5 million in its effort to pass the initiative. The latest campaign report shows that the political committee, which has already been spending money on TV and radio ads, has $12.6 million in its account that has not been spent. The bulk of Smart & Safe Florida’s donations have come from Trulieve, a medical marijuana company that is already one of the largest operators in the state.
Gov. Ron DeSantis opposes Amendment 3 and this week in Milwaukee went in depth about why, asserting that legalization has failed in Colorado. He also sharply criticized Trulieve, without naming the company, for bankrolling the effort to place Amendment 3 on the ballot.
Meanwhile, companies associated with the hemp industry are expected to help pay for efforts to defeat the amendment. A political committee connected to the Governor received $100,000 from POB Ventures, a Florida company that runs a medical cannabis training institute and a string of hemp-related businesses.
Patrick O’Brien, the CEO of POB Ventures, told Marijuana Moment that he’s not opposed to allowing recreational marijuana but that he does not like the wording of the initiative on the ballot.
CBS Miami, meanwhile, reported last week that WhatsApp messages show that a network of hemp executives have pledged to donate $5 million to the Republican Party of Florida to help defeat the amendment.
–Christine Sexton, Florida Politics
Nephew Of Uncle Sam says
YES ON 3 and YES ON 4
If RonDUH is against it, then I’m for it.
Justbob says
Go figure…No to pot, but Governor Ron just increased the size of wine bottles that can be sold legally now in stores to 4 gallons. Can you even carry a 4 gallon bottle of wine?
Tom Hutson says
Vote yes on Amendment 3.
It is time to let DeSantis and his minions know that they can’t control the lives of every individual Floridian. DeSantis and his minions have watched Reefer Madness too many times. It is up to each adult individual to make this decision for themselves.
Laurel says
Maybe ole Ron should take a toke or two, and pass the joint to the Republican doners. They could sure use it!
Of course you know there must be some other agenda behind their more moral than thou actions…and money.
JimboXYZ says
Obviously, you’ve never seen women motivated by a larger container of wine ? That’s the use they have for men these days, it’s your job to figure out how to have it transported. BTW, when are you completing the wine cellar project for an addition ?
https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/large-wooden-wine-keg-20308927.jpg
On a serious note, Saturday marked a new low for the neighborhood. Neighbor’s trash ended up in my yard as usual. Picking it up, it was a spent fast food sauce sized packet of Narcan for the Fentanyl abuser/addict that lives across the way. Alfin’s growth plan & better quality of life in action ? Vote against recreational pot, what could possibly go wrong for legalizing that crap. That’s the reason why the border crisis is allowed to continue, too much money crossing that border to stop it. Has nothing to do with immigration, that’s just the tool they’re using to legitimize drug operations. The drug dealers & houses, they’ll sell pot just the same as they will cocaine, opioids/Fentanyl. End Narcan administration by 1st responders & you’ll see a new level of outrage when enough people (“essentials” as they were called in 2020) OD on Fentanyl.
Larry says
Legal pot takes it out of the hands of fentyl dealers. No to Narcan? So you want people to die? WTF is wrong with you?
Deborah Coffey says
“Obviously, you’ve never seen women motivated by a larger container of wine ? That’s the use they have for men these days, it’s your job to figure out how to have it transported.”
Jimbo, dear, you actually put this comment out in public? I’m going to pray that you get a happier life soon that will include tons of women who will be nice to you.
Deborah Coffey says
Absolutely…because we all need to stay high until the Fascists are completely defeated.
Hookah Smoking Caterpillar says
I don’t care if it passes, BUT keep that smelly crap inside your house. Downtown Seattle smells like a skunk convention.
Dennis C Rathsam says
Pot gets you through the times of no money, better than money gets you through the time of no pot
c says
Fabulous Furry Freak Bros. for President :)
Pogo says
@DC
What have you got against those women?
Jim says
I think maybe you are on some kind of medication (legal or not) that makes you spout nonsense and incoherent blather.
Your sense of “humor” regarding women and large bottles of wine is just sad. I feel for your wife and any other women that may (or may not) be in your life.
The border situation has zero to do with Florida voting for or against recreational pot. But thanks for bringing it up again in a completely irrelevant discussion.
And, thanks for showing all of us what a wonderful, kind, caring human being you are for recommending first responders not administer Narcan. I guess you see this as the way to remove more of those you don’t like from the world.
You are just a sad little man.
Laurel says
Pogo: Hahahaha! She meant well.