Marijuana company sues Florida Republicans over 'deceptive' marijuana advertising

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The dispute over the legalization of recreational marijuana is heating up.

Florida's largest marijuana retailer is suing the state's Republican Party over ads urging voters to say “no” to Amendment 3.

Trulieve, the marijuana company behind this lawsuit, has spent nearly $100 million to support legalization in Florida.

Despite all the money behind it, a recent FAU poll shows that only 56% of Floridians will vote yes on Amendment 3.

In this 13-page defamation lawsuit, Trulieve, the marijuana company that supports Amendment 3, claims that the Florida Republican Party is misleading voters with television ads.

It was funded by the No On 3 campaign.

She blames Big Weed for ensuring that regular Floridians won't be able to grow their weed when Amendment 3 goes into effect.

Here is the argument:

Amendment 3 would allow people age 21 and older to purchase, possess, and consume recreational marijuana.

However, home-grown marijuana is illegal in Florida. Amendment 3 does not change that.

Opponents of Amendment 3 — including Gov. Ron DeSantis — say it gives marijuana companies like Trulieve control over supply.

“Some people came to me and said, 'Yeah, you know, I don't like marijuana, but maybe I'll grow it on my farm or something like that.' no no no. You won't be allowed to do that. They're basically enshrining corporate protectionism in the Constitution to protect them so they can sell anything,” Gov. DeSantis said during a GOP convention in Florida.

In a statement to CBS12 News, Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power said, “They are using laws to silence us, but we are undeterred in our efforts.”

With polls so close, it's no surprise that Trulieve would want to see an ad aired if it conveys a message they don't like.

At the moment the ad is still running.

An interesting note on this: There is one senior Republican from Florida who will vote for Amendment 3 – former President Donald Trump.