Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared victory over two proposed amendments that would have legalized recreational marijuana and created a constitutional right to abortion in the state. The amendments, known as Amendments 3 and 4, failed to receive the necessary 60% approval from Florida voters.
DeSantis took to social media to announce the results, stating that Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana, had failed, as had Amendment 4, which aimed to overturn Florida’s six-week abortion ban.
The defeat of the amendments has been met with celebration from pro-life activists, who see it as a major victory for the movement. Lila Rose, a pro-life activist, tweeted “Incredible victory for LIFE!” while Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, praised DeSantis for his leadership and courage in opposing the amendments.
Jeanne Mancini, president of March for Life, also weighed in, saying that the people of Florida had “seen through an onslaught of well-funded lies” and rejected the radical and destructive Amendment 4.
The defeat of the amendments comes as former President Donald Trump is projected to win the state of Florida in the general election. Trump had previously expressed his opposition to the six-week abortion ban, saying that it was too short and that he would vote against the Florida amendment.
The outcome of the amendments has significant implications for the future of abortion in Florida, as the state’s six-week ban is set to remain in place. The defeat of the amendments also serves as a blow to the abortion rights movement, which had hoped to use the ballot initiative to expand access to abortion in the state.
