(Photo by Carol Yepes/Getty Images)
The campaign to defeat Amendment 3, the measure designed to legalize recreational cannabis for adults in Florida, received its biggest boost so far with the announcement that hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin is contributing $20 million to oppose Amendment 3.
Of that amount, $12 million will go directly to Keep Florida Clean , a political committee formed to oppose the measure.
In an op-ed published in the Miami Herald on Friday, Griffin said Amendment 3 is a “terrible plan to create the nation’s most expansive and destructive marijuana laws.”
He went on to write, “Passage of Amendment 3 would create a monopoly for large marijuana dispensaries and permit pot use in public and private areas throughout Florida. That would help no one other than special interests — and it will hurt us all, especially through more dangerous roads, a higher level of addiction among our youth, and an increase in crime.”
The financial contribution represents a major shot in the arm for the coalition opposing Amendment 3 , which would allow adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use up to three ounces of cannabis products and accessories for personal consumption.
Polls have consistently shown the proposal getting more than the 60% required for passage. A University of North Florida survey published earlier this week showed the measure supported by 64%, with 31% opposing and 5% undecided or refusing to answer the question.
Morgan Hill is a spokesperson for Smart and Safe Florida, the political committee advocating for passage of Amendment 3.
“A government that works for the people means a freer, safer, and healthier Florida. Amendment 3 would do just that,” Hill said in an email.
“More than 1 million Floridians signed a petition to put Amendment 3 on the ballot so that no adult will go to jail for possessing small amounts of marijuana, and Floridians will no longer have to turn to street products laced with dangerous substances like fentanyl. We remain focused on communicating the public health benefits and expanded individual freedom of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults and creating a better Florida for all,” she said.
About Griffin
Griffin is a Miami resident and founder and CEO of Citadel LLC, a hedge fund and financial services company. He’s a major Republican fundraiser with an estimated net worth of $37 billion. He gave more than $100 million to right-wing causes during the 2022 midterm elections, according to Open Secrets , a Washington, D.C., nonprofit that tracks campaign finance and lobbying.
The revelation of Griffin’s financial contribution to the anti-Amendment 3 forces came two days after Sarasota Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters announced in support of the measure — becoming the highest-ranking Republican in the state to back it.
Griffin had been a financial backer of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, but notably broke with him after the governor signed a bill that banned most abortions after six weeks and announced he would not financially support his race for the GOP nomination for president last year. “I don’t know his strategy,” Griffin told CNBC. “It’s not clear to me what voter base he is intending to appeal to.”
The New York Times had reported that Griffin was “disconcerted” by the ban, “according to people familiar with Mr. Griffin’s thinking.”
Sarah Bascom, spokesperson for the Vote No on 3 campaign, said the organization was “thrilled to receive this generous support from Ken Griffin.”
“These valuable resources will help us as we continue to ramp up what will be a vigorous and full-throated campaign to warn Floridians about this deceptive amendment that would make Florida the California of the East,” she said in a statement. “Ken Griffin knows full well how failed policies can cripple an economy and drive away businesses, and we thank him for supporting our campaign so we can ensure that never happens in Florida and it remains a model for the rest of the nation.”
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