{"id":75272,"date":"2024-05-14T07:18:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-14T15:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/05\/14\/florida-marijuana-campaign-releases-four-ads-to-build-support-for-legalization-ballot-initiative-amid-underwhelming-polls\/"},"modified":"2024-05-14T12:45:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-14T20:45:38","slug":"florida-marijuana-campaign-releases-four-ads-to-build-support-for-legalization-ballot-initiative-amid-underwhelming-polls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2024\/05\/14\/florida-marijuana-campaign-releases-four-ads-to-build-support-for-legalization-ballot-initiative-amid-underwhelming-polls\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida Marijuana Campaign Releases Four Ads To Build Support For Legalization Ballot Initiative Amid Underwhelming Polls"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

As recent polling shows a Florida marijuana legalization ballot initiative coming up short on support for passage, the campaign behind the measure has released four new ads to educate voters and help close the gap ahead of the November election.<\/p>\n

Smart & Safe Florida said on Tuesday that the ads will air statewide across \u201cbroadcast, cable, streaming, radio and digital platforms.\u201d<\/p>\n

The campaign said the ads feature Florida voters, \u201cincluding moms, businesspeople, and a former law enforcement officer and Vietnam War veteran,\u201d who \u201cbelieve adult Floridians deserve the individual freedom to consume safe, regulated marijuana.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the initial ad buy, the campaign spent more than $5 million. One of the ads in one minute long, while the other three are 30-second spots.<\/p>\n

\u201cVote Yes\u201d<\/h3>\n
\n

\u201cMore than half of Americans already enjoy access to safe, regulated marijuana and we believe Floridians deserve that same freedom. Our campaign in support of Amendment 3 is in full swing and we\u2019re excited to continue connecting with voters through to November.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/sEgqfIq2TT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Smart & Safe Florida (@SmartandSafeFl) May 14, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

This ad includes several speakers and highlights how cannabis is already available in Florida on the illegal market, saying that it is \u201cproduced using toxic chemicals and can be laced with dangerous drugs like fentanyl.\u201d Amendment 3 gives adults access to legal, safe marijuana and the freedom to make their own choices,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n

\u201cFreedom\u201d<\/h3>\n

\n

This spot features a military veteran saying that the state\u2019s \u201coutdate marijuana laws have cost too many their freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

The legalization measure, he says, is \u201ca step towards justice and freedom for all Floridians.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAvailable\u201d<\/h3>\n

\n

This ad shows an older woman saying that \u201cmarijuana is already available on the streets, and you have no idea what\u2019s in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She points out that the legalization measure would address that by mandating lab testing, enacting regulations to protect kids and generating revenue to fund police and schools.<\/p>\n

\u201cClear Choice\u201d<\/h3>\n

\n

This spot shows a man saying that voters have a \u201cclear choice\u201d in November to \u201ccontinue to allow cartel criminals to profit from illegal marijuana laced with toxic chemicals and dangerous drugs\u201d or instead enact legalization to give adults freedom while creating tax money to fund \u201cbetter schools and safer communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

The campaign\u2019s choice to feature Army veteran in two of the ads underscores its interest in showcasing support from the military population. Smart & Safe Florida announced in March that it was working to form a coalition of veterans<\/a> to build voter support for the reform, and the campaign has since formally launched that initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA smart and safe Florida means a regulated marijuana market where Floridians no longer need to turn to illicit cartel-trafficked products on the streets,\u201d Smart & Safe Florida spokesperson Morgan Hill said<\/a> in a press release.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than half of Americans already enjoy access to safe, regulated marijuana, and we believe Floridians deserve that same freedom,\u201d she said. \u201cOur campaign in support of Amendment 3 is in full swing, and we\u2019re excited to continue connecting with voters through to November.\u201d<\/p>\n

Based on recent surveys, the campaign will need to prioritize that outreach in order to get at least 60 percent of the vote required for passage. Three polls that have been released since the state Supreme Court cleared the initiative for the ballot each show the measure coming up short of that steep threshold.<\/p>\n

For example, a survey that was done for the Florida Chamber of Commerce by Cherry Communications found that 58 percent of Florida likely voters back the legalization measure<\/a>, compared to 37 percent who oppose it and five percent who are undecided.<\/p>\n

That said, the CEO of a top marijuana company that\u2019s financially supported the campaign pushed back against the recent surveys<\/a>, claiming internal polling shows the measure ahead by a comfortable margin.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t believe everything you\u2019re hearing,\u201d Tulieve CEO Kim Rivers said, adding that there are more \u201clegitimate polls\u201d from the past year that show the legalization measure \u201cwell over\u201d the 60 percent threshold for passage.<\/p>\n

While the campaign hasn\u2019t shared its internal polling, it is the case that prior surveys have shown the initiative in a more comfortable position than the two most recent public polls did. A University of North Florida (UNF) poll released last November found nearly 70 percent of voters are in favor of the reform, for example<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Florida Republican Party\u00a0officially come out against a marijuana legalization initiative last week<\/a>, clearing the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) to raise money to fund an opposition campaign against the measure.<\/p>\n

DeSantis also previously\u00a0predicted voters will reject the marijuana initiative in November<\/a>\u00a0and argued that passage would \u201creduce the quality of life\u201d in the state.<\/p>\n

\u2014
\nMarijuana Moment is tracking more than 1,500 cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong>
\n\"\"<\/a>
\nLearn more about our marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.
\n\u2014<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Economic analysts from the Florida legislature and DeSantis\u2019s office, estimate that the marijuana legalization initiative would\u00a0generate between $195.6 million and $431.3 million<\/a>\u00a0in new sales tax revenue annually if voters enact it. Those figures could increase considerably if lawmakers opted to impose an additional excise tax on cannabis transactions that\u2019s similar to the ones in place in other legalized states.<\/p>\n

If approved, the measure would change the state Constitution to allow existing medical cannabis companies in the state, such as Trulieve, the campaign\u2019s main financial contributor, to begin selling marijuana to all adults over 21. It contains a provision that would allow\u2014but not require\u2014lawmakers to take steps toward the approval of additional businesses. Home cultivation by consumers would not be allowed under the proposal as drafted.<\/p>\n

Adults would be able to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis, only five grams of which could be marijuana concentrate products. The three-page measure also omits equity provisions favored by advocates, such as expungements or other relief for people with prior cannabis convictions.<\/p>\n

Nearly all of the campaign\u2019s financial backing has come from existing medical marijuana businesses, predominantly multi-state operators. Recently, the Florida Division of Elections (DOE)\u00a0released the campaign finance activity report from the first quarter of the year<\/a>, showing nearly $15 million in new contributions.<\/p>\n

Trulieve, the main financial backer of the initiative, led the pack again with $9.225 million in donations during the first quarter. That follows the company previously contributing\u00a0about $40 million as advocates\u00a0worked to collect more than one million signatures to qualify for ballot placement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The company\u2019s CEO said recently that, contrary to the governor\u2019s claims, legalization\u00a0could actually \u201cimprove quality of life\u201d for residents<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what the Smart & Safe Florida marijuana legalization initiative would accomplish:<\/strong><\/p>\n