(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida's largest medical marijuana company is accusing the Florida GOP of misleading voters about the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow recreational use of marijuana.
Trulieve sued the Republican Party of Florida yesterday for defamation claiming the GOP is running an intentionally deceptive campaign against Amendment 3.
“The GOP knew that the claims in the deceptive mailer and ad were false, intentionally deceptive, and duplicitous but published them anyway in order to trick Florida voters into voting against a ballot initiative that would legalize the recreational use of cannabis in Florida,” the lawsuit said.
Trulieve supports the amendment on the November ballot, but the company says the ad "falsely claims it does so only so it can have a monopoly on recreational marijuana."
The television ad features a gardener who sees a news broadcast saying that the amendment could “legalize recreational marijuana.” The gardener rushes to start planting but is confronted by a “Big Weed” character that says, “Actually, we wrote the amendment, so we’re the only ones that can grow it.”
As it appears on the ballot, Amendment 3: "Allows adults 21 years or older to possess, purchase, or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical personal consumption by smoking, ingestion, or otherwise; allows Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, and other state licensed entities, to acquire, cultivate, process, manufacture, sell, and distribute such products and accessories. Applies to Florida law; does not change, or immunize violations of, federal law. Establishes possession limits for personal use. Allows consistent legislation. Defines terms. Provides effective date."
Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power says the ads are honest and says "Trulieve is trying to use lawfare to silence us, but we will not be deterred."