DeSantis’ Criticism of Trump’s Failure to “Drain the Swamp”
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in his bid to narrow the gap in the Republican presidential race against Donald Trump, has recently criticized the former president for not fulfilling his promise to “drain the swamp”. DeSantis claims that Trump failed to eliminate the influence of lobbyists and special interest groups on the government. DeSantis, who had also pledged to “drain the swamp” during his campaign for Florida’s governorship, frequently assures voters that he has fulfilled this promise in Florida and will do the same in Washington, DC if elected president.
DeSantis’ First Bill as Governor Raises Questions
However, a CNN investigation into the first bill DeSantis signed into law as governor, which legalized smokable medical marijuana in Florida, raises questions about his own record on catering to special interests and campaign donors. This aspect of his political career was not mentioned in his book published earlier this year and is not part of his campaign speeches.
DeSantis and the Budding Cannabis Industry
Through a review of campaign finance reports, court records, business filings, and newly obtained video footage of a private political fundraiser, CNN has pieced together a story of how DeSantis repeatedly intersected with key players in Florida’s burgeoning cannabis industry, sometimes to mutual benefit. As DeSantis was promising Floridians that he would clean up Tallahassee, he was also being courted by marijuana interests who helped fund his campaign.
DeSantis’ Connections to the Cannabis Industry
Among DeSantis’ connections to the cannabis industry were the family of a man who would become one of his top political appointees and a Republican fundraiser who would later be imprisoned for campaign finance violations. Industry lobbyists raised money for him, special interests donated to him, and one marijuana entrepreneur even flew him in a private plane. The new law DeSantis signed helped fuel what would become a billion-dollar industry in Florida.
DeSantis’ Fight for a Limited Number of Marijuana Sellers
DeSantis then quietly fought to ensure only a handful of companies could sell marijuana through a regulatory system he once likened to a “cartel” but ultimately helped to preserve. Among those that benefited was one of the top medical marijuana producers in the US, a Florida company launched amid allegations of the sort of swampy behavior DeSantis would later vow to eradicate.
DeSantis’ Unlikely Support for Marijuana Expansion
At first glance, DeSantis seemed an unlikely candidate to support a significant expansion of marijuana. He had previously voted against making the drug more accessible to veterans during his time in the US House. However, within DeSantis’ political circle was a group of close friends with deep ties to the marijuana industry, led by US Rep. Matt Gaetz. These connections would prove instrumental in DeSantis’ stance on marijuana.
DeSantis’ Role in Expanding Access to Medical Marijuana
Shortly after taking office, DeSantis advanced the marijuana industry’s top priority by demanding state lawmakers quickly draft and approve legislation that would make medicinal pot available to Floridians in smokable form. The Republican-controlled state legislature reversed its previous ban on smokable medical marijuana, delivering DeSantis a win and the first law of his governorship.
DeSantis’ Administration Sides with Trulieve
DeSantis’ administration sided with Trulieve, one of the leading medical marijuana producers in the US, in a legal dispute over a state law that initially capped the number of dispensaries a single entity could own at 25. This settlement allowed Trulieve to nearly double the number of dispensaries it could open, a unique arrangement that did not apply to other marijuana operators in the state.
DeSantis’ Future Stance on Marijuana
Despite his previous support for medical marijuana, DeSantis has recently expressed opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana. He has also begun to question the merits of the law he once championed, suggesting that some people may abuse it.
DeSantis’ Relationship with Lev Parnas
Lev Parnas, a once well-connected Republican fundraiser with ties to Rudy Giuliani during Trump’s presidency, claims to have insight into why DeSantis supported more liberal use of medical marijuana. According to Parnas, DeSantis told him he could be swayed into supporting more liberal marijuana policies if Parnas could deliver an endorsement from Trump.