--- title: DeSantis Provokes Outrage Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads Linking Marijuana Legalization To Car Crashes description: The ad, produced by the Florida Department of Transportation, warns against the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis.   Florida Gov. Ron DeSa image: https://420intel.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image_0.png --- [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) ### Press ESC to close [![420intel.com](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Asset%2016-1.png?width=300&height=162&name=Asset%2016-1.png "420intel.com")](https://420intel.com) - [Home](https://420intel.com) - [Advertise](https://420intel.com/advertise) - [Directory](https://420intel.com/directory) - [Topics](https://420intel.com/blog) - [Recreational News](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/recreational-cannabis-news) - [Business News](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-business-news) - [Politics](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-politics) - [Technology](https://420intel.com/tag/cannabis-technology-news) - [Research](https://420intel.com/tag/medical-cannabis-news) - [Contact](https://420intel.com/contact-us) - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/420-intel/) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://x.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) # DeSantis Provokes Outrage Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads Linking Marijuana Legalization To Car Crashes - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) - 26 September 2024 ## The ad, produced by the Florida Department of Transportation, warns against the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis.   Florida Gov. **Ron DeSantis** (R) faces a public relations lashing for leveraging a taxpayer-funded advertisement to influence voters against the marijuana legalization measure, known as Amendment 3, which will be decided upon in the November 2024 election. The ad, produced by the Florida Department of Transportation, warns against the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis. In the middle of the 30-second video warning viewers not to drive high, the narrator says, "DUI crashes increase in states with legalized marijuana, putting everyone at risk." **Outrage Ensues** The ad sparked anger among advocates with **Smart & Safe Florida**, the campaign that helped put Amendment 3 on the ballot. The campaign called the DeSantis-backed Vote No on 3 political committee of using state resources to amplify an opposition talking point at a lower cost by channeling the message through a government agency. The campaign sent cease and desist letters to about 50 news stations across Florida. In it, the group condemns the use of taxpayer money to disseminate what they call a "ruse to obtain the highly discounted rates" for airing PSAs. "Florida law demands that campaigns be operated in the sunshine," the Smart & Safe letter said. "Accepting taxpayer funds to broadcast State Propaganda under the guise of a public service announcement — and at an anticompetitive and severely discounted rate — should not be countenanced." The campaign also criticized the refusal of TV stations to air what Smart & Safe called a “politically neutral” alternative, accusing them of participating in a scheme to secure discounted rates for the ad. The news was first reported by Politico on Tuesday. Suggesting a direct link between marijuana legalization and increased impaired driving is seen as misleading, with some research indicating mixed results on the matter. Federal reports have also stated that the impact of cannabis on driving is not yet fully understood. **GOP and Dem Politicians Weigh In** The controversy has drawn further attention from political figures like Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, who criticized DeSantis for using public funds to campaign against not only the marijuana legalization initiative but a separate reproductive rights measure, known as Amendment 4. Meanwhile, Jeff Brandes, a former Republican state senator, warned that the governor’s actions set a dangerous precedent, suggesting that such use of public funds may not be permissible under Florida’s budget.   [By  Maureen Meehan](https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cannabis/24/09/41036799/desantis-provokes-outrage-over-taxpayer-funded-ads-linking-marijuana-legalization-to-car-crashes) ### **For more Cannabis News like this, circle back to **[**420intel.com**](https://420intel.com/)**!** ### [**420 Intel News**](https://420intel.com/content/about-us)** | **[**420 Advertising**](https://420intel.com/contact/advertising_opportunities)** | **[**Cannabis Business News**](https://420intel.com/articles/marijuana-business-news)** | **[**Medical Marijuana News**](https://420intel.com/articles/medical-cannabis-news)** | **[**Recreational Marijuana News**](https://420intel.com/articles/recreational-marijuana-news) [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) ![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=200&height=200&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) #### [Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) At 420 Intel, we cover cannabis legalization news throughout the world, offer reliable information for cannabis business owners, detail technological advances that impact the marijuana industry, cover marijuana rallies from across the globe, and everything in between. - - - [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) [![DeSantis Battles Former Allies Donald Trump, Jeff Roe Over Florida's Cannabis Legalization Push](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20political%20battle%20over%20Floridas%20cannabis%20legalization%20push%20involving%20Ron%20DeSantis%2c%20Jeff%20Roe%2c%20and%20Donald%20Trump.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=A%20political%20battle%20over%20Floridas%20cannabis%20legalization%20push%20involving%20Ron%20DeSantis%2c%20Jeff%20Roe%2c%20and%20Donald%20Trump.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/desantis-battles-former-allies-donald-trump-jeff-roe-over-floridas-cannabis-legalization-push) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 22 October 2024 #### [DeSantis Battles Former Allies Donald Trump, Jeff Roe Over Florida's Cannabis Legalization Push](https://420intel.com/blog/desantis-battles-former-allies-donald-trump-jeff-roe-over-floridas-cannabis-legalization-push) Florida Gov. **Ron DeSantis** (R) is in a high-stakes political battle against yet another political... [Cannabis Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-laws) [![Easter & 4/20: Florida's Weed Laws](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20captures%20a%20vibrant%20and%20festive%20outdoor%20scene%20celebrating%20420%20and%20Easter%20Sunday%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20friends%20lounges%20on%20colorful%20picnic%20blankets%20laughing%20and%20sharing%20laughter%20surrounded%20by%20an%20array%20of%20snacks%20and%20drinks%20Some%20i-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20captures%20a%20vibrant%20and%20festive%20outdoor%20scene%20celebrating%20420%20and%20Easter%20Sunday%20In%20the%20foreground%20a%20diverse%20group%20of%20friends%20lounges%20on%20colorful%20picnic%20blankets%20laughing%20and%20sharing%20laughter%20surrounded%20by%20an%20array%20of%20snacks%20and%20drinks%20Some%20i-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/easter-4/20-floridas-weed-laws) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 21 April 2025 #### [Easter & 4/20: Florida's Weed Laws](https://420intel.com/blog/easter-4/20-floridas-weed-laws) You either look forward to it all year or roll your eyes every April: today is 4/20. This year, the... [Cannabis Politics](https://420intel.com/blog/tag/cannabis-politics) [![Donald Trump Appears In Florida Cannabis Legalization Campaign Ad, Discussing His Support For Legal Marijuana](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20shows%20former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20discussing%20his%20support%20for%20marijuana%20legalization%20in%20Florida%20in%20a%20campaign%20ad%20for%20Smart%20Safe%20Floridas%20A-1.jpeg?width=550&height=395&name=The%20image%20shows%20former%20President%20Donald%20Trump%20discussing%20his%20support%20for%20marijuana%20legalization%20in%20Florida%20in%20a%20campaign%20ad%20for%20Smart%20Safe%20Floridas%20A-1.jpeg)](https://420intel.com/blog/donald-trump-appears-in-florida-cannabis-legalization-campaign-ad-discussing-his-support-for-legal-marijuana) - [![Buzz](https://420intel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png?width=80&height=80&name=Buzz-No%20Outline-2.png) Buzz](https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz) - 17 October 2024 #### [Donald Trump Appears In Florida Cannabis Legalization Campaign Ad, Discussing His Support For Legal Marijuana](https://420intel.com/blog/donald-trump-appears-in-florida-cannabis-legalization-campaign-ad-discussing-his-support-for-legal-marijuana) That strategy is wisely employed in the campaign's use of Trump's weed endorsement, which was not... - [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/420intel) - [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/420intel) - [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/420intel) Back to Top ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Buzz", "url" : "https://420intel.com/blog/author/buzz" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-02T13:19:49.273Z", "datePublished" : "2024-09-26T04:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "DeSantis Provokes Outrage Over Taxpayer-Funded Ads Linking Marijuana Legalization To Car Crashes", "image" : [ "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/image_0.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://420intel.com/blog/desantis-provokes-outrage-over-taxpayer-funded-ads-linking-marijuana", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://420intel.com/hubfs/Asset%2016.png" }, "name" : "420 Intel" } } ```