We just lately kicked off our collection of posts grading the presidential candidates on their hashish stances (try the primary submit, on Joe Biden). As we speak we flip to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who as of January 8 was a distant second within the race for the nomination to frontrunner Donald Trump. However with Trump going through various challenges that would, maybe, derail his plans for a second time period, the prospect of a DeSantis nomination for the White Home can’t be dominated out.
Total Grade: C+
Again in 2022, when he was campaigning for his second time period as governor, we famous that “DeSantis has made it clear that he doesn’t assist legalization, although he has ‘advised he was in favor of decriminalizing marijuana.’” On the identical time, we warned in opposition to anticipating any daring strikes on the difficulty as DeSantis turned his consideration to the nationwide stage and displaying off his conservative bona fides.
As we get near the beginning of major season, we should say that DeSantis is exceeding our — admittedly low — expectations in relation to hashish. Lately, DeSantis declared that “he’d honor state-level selections on [cannabis] within the occasion he’s elected President.” That’d be an incredible begin: Respect for states’ rights is absolutely all we want in relation to hashish from the federal authorities. In precept, a President DeSantis must be amenable to the concept of curbing Washington’s energy, particularly its overreach in relation to regulating interstate commerce. (After all, we’d need to see how President Ron feels about federal energy as soon as its levers are at his disposal, or when the rights in query are these of states ideologically unaligned with him.)
Why DeSantis Doesn’t Get a B- or B
The more moderen iteration of DeSantis on hashish could be deserving of a B-, maybe even a B, if solely by means of encouraging the governor. Nonetheless, his grade needs to be docked on account of his seeming lack of ability to handle hashish points with out some dig or canard, both complaining concerning the scent, scaremongering about fentanyl-laced hashish, or snidely referring to medical use as a “pretext” on the a part of some to get excessive. He comes off as a man who cares extra about letting you already know he’s in opposition to legalization than concerning the precise prospect of legalization. The identical in all probability goes for his gripes concerning the Noles being left off the School Soccer Playoff — Go Blue, by the best way.
Extra severely, below DeSantis’ watch, there was a whole-of-government effort to second-guess Floridians in relation to leisure hashish legalization. His lawyer basic, Ashley Moody, has led mindless crusades in opposition to poll initiatives on the topic (probably inspired by the state Supreme Court docket’s receptiveness prior to now to persnickety arguments over the language in these initiatives). In the meantime, just a few days in the past a invoice was launched within the Florida Home to restrict THC quantities within the occasion the poll initiative passes. We perceive that the AG and legislators are elected officers unbeholden to the governor, however DeSantis might not less than categorical assist for the concept it must be as much as Sunshine State voters to resolve whether or not adult-use hashish must be authorized — which by the best way could be completely constant along with his imaginative and prescient of Florida as “freedom’s vanguard.” His failure to take action suggests that he’s, at a minimal, untroubled by the AG’s undemocratic efforts.
Conclusion
DeSantis’ disparaging feedback about hashish and acquiescence in efforts to stop Floridians from voting on legalization imply that he can not get something greater than a C-. Whereas his framing of hashish as a states’ rights concern is encouraging, there’s nothing in his report to counsel that DeSantis would transfer to vary the federal prohibitionist framework that hinders the event of authorized hashish industries on the state stage. That stated, there’s not less than the likelihood {that a} DeSantis Administration would strike a compromise that lays down some shiny strains for states and their hashish industries. Obaman half-measures are hardly one thing to get enthusiastic about, however coming from Ron DeSantis, that wouldn’t be too unhealthy, would it not?
