Florida Governor Race 2026: Cannabis Legalization, Ron DeSantis Opposition And Where Every Candidate Stands On Marijuana.
Florida’s cannabis debate has become one of the state’s most politically charged issues, and the 2026 governor’s race is shaping up as another major battleground over marijuana policy. While Florida voters have repeatedly shown strong support for marijuanareform, state leadership has often worked to slow or block broader legalization efforts. As a change approaches, here are Florida’s governor candidates stance on cannabis.
Governor Ron DeSantis has taken a mixed approach to cannabis during his time in office. Early in his administration, he supported implementation of Florida’s medical marijuana system and signed legislation allowing smokable medical cannabis after courts challenged the state’s ban. However, DeSantis has consistently opposed recreational marijuana legalization and became one of the leading political forces against Amendment 3 in 2024.
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The ballot initiative sought to legalize adult-use cannabis for Floridians 21 and older. The measure received nearly 56 percent voter approval — a clear majority — but failed because Florida constitutional amendments require a 60 percent supermajority to pass.
The fight did not end there. DeSantis and his administration have continued backing tighter rules on citizen ballot initiatives while critics accuse the governor of trying to make future cannabis legalization efforts more difficult. Supporters of legalization have argued the state is attempting to suppress voter-driven reform campaigns ahead of another possible marijuana vote.
Now, with DeSantis term-limited and unable to run again, the next governor could determine the future direction of cannabis policy in Florida.
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds has emerged as one of the leading GOP candidates. Donalds has stated clearly he opposes recreational marijuana legalization, saying Florida’s current medical marijuana system is sufficient. While he has acknowledged youthful marijuana use in his past, he argues broader legalization would negatively affect communities and public spaces.
Republican businessman James Fishback has also voiced opposition to adult-use cannabis. Fishback has criticized legalization efforts in other major cities and says he does not want Florida following states who have embraced recreational marijuana markets.
On the Democratic side, former Republican congressman turned Democrat David Jolly has taken a more favorable position toward legalization. Jolly has argued because a majority of Floridians supported recreational marijuana in 2024, state leaders should respect voter sentiment and move toward regulated legalization.
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Florida attorney and cannabis advocate John Morgan had long been rumored as a possible gubernatorial candidate and has been one of the most influential marijuana legalization supporters in the state. Morgan helped lead the successful medical marijuana movement in Florida and openly supports adult-use legalization. However, Morgan recently announced he would not enter the 2026 governor’s race.
The divide among candidates reflects Florida’s broader political landscape. Medical marijuana is already firmly established, with nearly one million registered patients statewide, but recreational cannabis remains politically divisive despite growing public support.
As the 2026 race intensifies, cannabis policy will likely remain a major issue. Florida voters have twice shown strong support for legalization efforts, even if they fell short of the state’s unusually high constitutional threshold. With a new governor set to take office in 2027, the election could determine whether Florida continues resisting recreational marijuana or finally joins the growing list of states embracing full adult-use cannabis legalization.
