Amendments 3 and 4 in Florida are officially toast, and there’s no doubt about it: the Florida voters have spoken. For those who’ve been out of the loop, Amendment 3 was the “legalize weed” initiative, and Amendment 4 was, well, an abortion-on-demand proposal wrapped up to look deceptively “moderate.”
But as of today, both have officially gone down, missing the 60% supermajority they needed to pass. And there’s one person who deserves credit here – Governor Ron DeSantis. Against the odds, he took it upon himself to ensure these amendments met their end, and he’s succeeded spectacularly.
First, let’s talk about Amendment 3, which looked like the easy winner for a long time. Legalizing marijuana might sound like a no-brainer in today’s political climate, right? Not quite. This wasn’t just about giving people their “freedom” to light up at home. The amendment was backed by, guess who? A major weed company with a vested interest.
Yes, Amendment 3 was crafted by a single cannabis corporation aiming for a monopoly on the Florida market. That’s right—no provisions for home-growing or small businesses getting in on the action. Just a corporate loophole masquerading as legalization and a prime example of big money trying to slip in through the back door.
Ironically, this ill-fated amendment was endorsed by Donald Trump, a move that didn’t sit well with conservatives who saw through the corporate ploy. Sure, there’s an argument for legalization, but this wasn’t it. As DeSantis and others pointed out, Florida’s appeal lies in its freedom and cleanliness—not the stench of weed. Imagine the tourist hotspots of Miami and the pristine beaches of Clearwater Bay filling up with the smell of cannabis. That’s hardly the “Florida experience” people want, and certainly not what Floridians voted for.
VICTORY
EAT SHIT WEED FREAKS https://t.co/BX8A1rDJC9
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) November 6, 2024
Now, Amendment 4 was a whole different animal and far more divisive. Proponents tried to paint it as a “moderate” adjustment to abortion access, but in reality, it was a slippery slope to on-demand, late-term abortion in one of the most family-oriented states in the country. It’s been a national trend to try to codify unrestricted abortion access into law, but Florida stood firm.
The amendment failed to resonate because Floridians saw through the pretty packaging. And for the Republicans, this is huge. For years, the narrative has been that abortion is a losing issue in battleground states. But tonight’s numbers say otherwise. Amendment 4’s failure shows that voters don’t buy into the idea that “freedom” means pushing aside moral boundaries.
Governor DeSantis’s involvement here has been pivotal. He didn’t waver, even as polls tried to make it seem like these amendments would cruise to victory. His strategy wasn’t just about shooting down ideas he didn’t like but about protecting the integrity of Florida’s culture. In a state that attracts millions of Americans seeking sanity amidst nationwide chaos, DeSantis sent a message: Florida won’t be following California’s playbook anytime soon. And now? The governor’s reputation as a staunch, uncompromising leader only grows.
The left isn’t handling this well:
Joy Reid calls Florida an “extreme right-wing fascist state” pic.twitter.com/IZGsGSDNOj
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) November 6, 2024
With a victory on such contentious issues, DeSantis has solidified his legacy. He saw these amendments for what they were—corporate grabs and morally dubious legislation disguised as “freedom”—and he didn’t back down. When it comes to standing by conservative values and protecting Floridian interests, this man truly never misses.
