The marijuana debate in Florida reveals a divide in the Republican Party. It is time for the party to evolve

Florida’s Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults, has exposed growing divisions in the Republican Party over cultural and conservative values.

As Floridians prepare to take a stand, this divide reveals a broader identity crisis and is sparking a debate within the party that is less about the content of the amendment itself and more about the future of the Republican Party.

The debate has led to clear battle lines within the party. On one side are the current leadership of the Florida Republican Party and Governor Ron DeSantis, who are urging Floridians to vote “no.” The Florida Republican Party passed an executive resolution opposing marijuana legalization in 2024, saying it would “endanger children and endanger Florida’s family-friendly businesses,” reflecting its commitment to maintaining the party’s socially conservative identity.

DeSantis’ opposition to Amendment 3 is part of his push to take ownership of cultural issues to position himself as the future of the Republican Party. During the presidential primaries, DeSantis’ Republicanism failed to prevail, even though he ran to the right of former President Donald Trump.

In contrast, Trump, former Florida Republican Party chairman and state Sen. Joe Gruters and the Florida Young Republicans are publicly supporting Amendment 3. This group now represents the growing faction of the GOP that believes the party must particularly adapt to changing public attitudes on cultural issues like marijuana.

This divide over Amendment 3 is emblematic of the larger generational and ideological shift taking place among Republicans. DeSantis and his allies are banking on hard-line conservatism to move the party forward, while Trump, Gruters and the Florida Young Republicans recognize the need to move with the times.

Most Americans support legalization and in recent years public opinion on marijuana has changed dramatically. Twenty-four states have already legalized marijuana, and Florida appears to be next. The GOP should embrace the cultural shift taking place across the country and evolve as a party rather than focusing on issues like women’s health, immigration and climate change.

The Republican Party’s efforts to modernize its cultural positions rather than support traditional social conservative viewpoints have had mixed success. While the party has adapted to generational change on same-sex marriage, it has struggled with abortion. A little more than a year after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, the GOP’s rigidity on abortion cost the party victories in 2023 in states like Kentucky and Ohio, where abortion rights had won. Voter opposition to abortion caused Trump to reconsider his position on abortion, saying it should be a states’ rights issue.

Marijuana legalization is the next issue for Republicans to force a decision in the culture war.

Will Florida learn from the abortion issue when legalizing marijuana? DeSantis’ opposition to Amendment 3 underscores his commitment to social conservatism, while Gruters’ support signals a growing belief that Republicans must adapt to remain relevant.

If Amendment 3 passes with significant Republican support, it will mark a turning point and signal the party’s willingness to change, as it did on same-sex marriage. If it fails, it will send a clear signal that the old guard is still in charge.

When it comes to Amendment 3, voters aren’t just deciding whether to legalize marijuana; They help shape the development of Florida’s Republican Party. Amendment 3 is more than just a political vote – it is an opportunity for the Republican Party to signal that it is ready to embrace changing societal norms and broaden the GOP’s appeal to Florida voters. One thing is clear: Cultural change is happening whether DeSantis or the Florida Republican Party likes it or not.

Mary Anna Mancuso is a Republican political strategist and has been published in Invading Sea.