Florida: Two gubernatorial candidates play «who's more pro-cannabis» game»

Florida's two Democratic gubernatorial candidates have a problem: they both want to legalize cannabis. In this wealthy and populous state, a recent survey watch that 59 % of residents support the legalization of cannabis. An electorate that Charlie Crist and Nikki Fried need to win over.

Both candidates for the upcoming Democratic Party nomination, they are aiming for the gubernatorial election in November 2022. Cannabis is a campaign issue, especially since Florida is one of the last large U.S. states not to have legalized cannabis, unlike the California or New York.

The first starter, Crist, was Republican governor of Florida between 2007 and 2011... before switching to the Democratic banner in 2012. Four years later, he entered the House of Representatives, in Washington, under the blue colors of the Democratic Party. Strength: he's ahead in the polls. Weakness: he did nothing for cannabis when he was governor.

The second, Fried, is Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. She has never hidden her closeness to her state's cannabis industry, lobbying for medical cannabis companies. They returned the favor by financing one of his campaigns in 2018. Strength: she has a medical cannabis user card. Weakness: she is financially tied to the industry she wants to reform.

«I'm flattered that you copy»

The two are thus engaged in a battle of tweets. «I'm announcing my #JusticeForAll plan that will legalize cannabis for adults! It's time for Florida's laws to stick with the will of the people!», asks Charlie Crist. Backlash : «It flatters me that you copy me, but the past can't be erased. It was Republicans like Crist who supported and implemented racist cannabis laws.», laughs Nikki Fried.

In detail, Crist wants to legalize cannabis (with no further details on its trade) and collect taxes that will be redistributed to law enforcement, teachers and support for drug addicts. Finally, he wants to authorize the cultivation of six plants at home, and will wipe the record of those arrested with less than 30 grams. Fried, for her part, wants to legalize cannabis, without giving details of her plan for the moment.

The two will face off in the upcoming Democratic primary election. The winner will face the current governor, Republican Ron DeSantis. This conservative politician, backed by Donald Trump, is in favor of medical cannabis, already legal in Florida. On the other hand, he has always opposed the legalization of recreational cannabis.