Florida's largest medical marijuana company has filed a defamation lawsuit against the Florida Republican Party and two media outlets, alleging false and misleading advertising about the marijuana legalization amendment it supports.
Trulieve Cannabis, Inc. (OTC:TCNNF) filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Gadsden County Circuit Court, alleging that the Republican Party and broadcasters Sun Broadcasting and Fort Myers Broadcasting are violating the Third Amendment, which legalizes recreational marijuana. It alleged that the company had spread “deliberately deceptive” claims regarding the article. If passed by voters next month, it would be used for adult use.
The lawsuit centers on Republican-produced mailings and television ads that Trulieve accused of violating the Third Amendment as a “power grab” to “eliminate competition and forever engrave the supremacy of monopoly into the Constitution.” He is accused of writing it.
Trulieve argued that these statements are “patently false,” noting that Florida currently has 25 licensed medical marijuana treatment centers and more than 670 dispensaries.
“No single company controls more than half of Florida's cannabis market,” the complaint states.
The company argues that the Third Amendment would actually increase competition by allowing states to issue additional licenses for the production and sale of adult-use cannabis.
According to the complaint, “Far from 'eliminating competition' and 'enshrining' (non-existent) monopolies 'in perpetuity' into the Constitution…the Third Amendment increases competition and expands the field of chartered enterprises. “We will do so.”
The lawsuit, filed in Gadsden County Circuit Court, seeks more than $100,000 in damages, according to a civil cover sheet. The complaint states that Trulieve sent the request to the Florida Republican Party.
Although not mentioned in the court filing, media outlets reported that before filing the lawsuit, Trulieve had sent cease-and-desist letters to the TV stations, demanding that they end the “Big Weed” ads.
“Amendment 3 is not about political parties or red vs. blue identities,” Smart and Safe Florida spokeswoman Morgan Hill said in an emailed statement Wednesday. “Supporting the legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana supports the principles of individual liberty and freedom on which our country was founded.”
The complaint says Truliev felt compelled to take legal action to “set the record straight” and hold the defendants “accountable for deceiving voters.”
State Republican Party Chairman Evan Power responded to the lawsuit Wednesday, according to the News Service of Florida.
“It's so weird that a company that spends almost $100 million on political campaigns would be so sensitive about honest TV advertising,” Power said in a text message to the outlet. “Third Amendment supporters are trying to take down these ads that they know are true and effective, which is why they are using the law to silence us. We will not shrink from that effort. If these big, powerful companies can't deal with it, they should have a seat at the little kid's table.”
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The political climate surrounding Amendment 3 is complicated, with most Republican leaders in Florida opposing the bill. However, former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, has expressed support.
Gov. Ron DeSantis strongly opposes the measure, saying it would only benefit one company, but he did not specifically name Trulieve. But what he did was gain support from hemp businesses in the state after saving them from the brink of banning hemp products with the stroke of his veto wand. are.
Meanwhile, state officials have taken an active role in opposing the amendment, with the Florida Department of Transportation issuing a public service announcement saying legalizing marijuana could lead to more car accidents and higher insurance premiums. I warned you.
Trulieve currently operates 151 dispensaries across Florida, more than any other medical marijuana operator, and accounts for nearly 38% of all smokable marijuana sales in the state, according to the Department of Health Services. It is said to account for about 30% of other cannabis products sold in Japan. Marijuana use.
Trulieve spokesman Steve Vancore recently disputed claims made by critics and advertisers, saying the amendment itself “clearly provides that the Legislature can license entities that are not medical marijuana treatment centers.” This means that the proposed amendments themselves do not shrink the market, but expand it.” ”
The bill would need support from 60% of voters to pass, and recent polls suggest it may barely reach that threshold.
And while Trulieve has been a major financial supporter of the Amendment 3 campaign, donating $83 million through Smart and Safe Florida, other cannabis companies have also contributed large sums.
Verano Holdings contributed $3.5 million, Green Thumb Industries $2.5 million and Curaleaf $2 million, Green Market Report previously reported. These companies already have a sizable foothold in Florida's medical marijuana market, allowing limited license holders to own as many retail stores as they like as long as they own their entire supply chain.
After the state accepts 22 new applications for medical marijuana licenses, on top of the dozen slots Congress allocated to Black farmers over the past two years, the number of permits will be increased regardless of the outcome. is becoming even more diluted.
The question is when a new operator, medical or recreational, will be up and running. If the ballot question passes, existing health care providers will be in a better position to enter the adult-use market. When it comes to stores in the state, Trulieve is leading the way, followed by:
MUV (owned by Verano) has 79 Ayr Wellness stores, 65 Curaleaf stores, 64 Surterra Wellness (Parallel Cannabis) stores, and 45 stores.
Trulieve v. Republican Party of Florida Complaint
