💸 The Tape

In a state where ballot measures are as contested as college football rivalries, Florida’s marijuana legalization push just scored a key win. A federal judge in the Northern District of Florida has ruled in favor of Smart & Safe Florida, the campaign behind a 2026 cannabis initiative, striking down part of a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) that restricted who could collect petition signatures.

At issue was a provision banning non-residents and non-citizens from gathering signatures—a change critics said would suffocate citizen-led reform efforts. Judge Mark Walker called it what it was: an unconstitutional “severe burden on political expression.” He granted “complete relief,” saying the campaign shouldn’t have to choose between exercising its First Amendment rights or risking “crippling civil penalties.”

That ruling is a big deal for Smart & Safe, which has already collected over 660,000 verified signatures—roughly 75 percent of what it needs to make the 2026 ballot. The campaign has also cleared early thresholds for judicial and fiscal review, ensuring the proposal gets vetted before voters weigh in.

Of course, DeSantis isn’t cheering. The governor insists the measure will run into “big time trouble” at the state Supreme Court, arguing that marijuana doesn’t belong in Florida’s Constitution. He said if voters want reform, they should elect lawmakers to do it—an ironic argument, given the legislature’s historic reluctance to even debate broad legalization.

This is Smart & Safe Florida’s second bite at the apple. Their 2024 version, despite millions in backing from industry heavyweights like Trulieve (and even a nod from Donald Trump), failed to hit the 60 percent supermajority required for passage. This time, the group has tweaked the language, banning public smoking and vaping while giving lawmakers explicit power to regulate consumption rules—concessions aimed at mollifying critics.

Polls, meanwhile, are a mixed bag. A February survey showed 67 percent of Floridians support legalization, including majorities of Democrats, independents, and even Republicans. But a Florida Chamber poll pegged support at just 53 percent—below the critical threshold. Among GOP voters alone, support was only 40 percent.

For now, the campaign can breathe easier knowing out-of-state volunteers won’t be handcuffed by DeSantis’s law. But the bigger hurdles—Florida’s high bar for constitutional amendments, a skeptical state Supreme Court, and the governor’s entrenched opposition—remain.

In short: Smart & Safe got a win on the field, but the game is far from over.

📈 Dog Walkers

The Clean Up Is Underway

Whats Going On Here: Sequoia National Park just added a new chapter to its long-running saga of “trees versus traffickers.” Last week, federal officials dismantled a sprawling illegal marijuana farm that had been hiding in the wilderness like an uninvited guest at a campout. Crews hauled out 2,377 full-grown plants—each thirsty enough to gulp six to eight gallons of water a day—along with nearly 2,000 pounds of trash, toxic chemicals, and makeshift infrastructure that scarred about 13 acres of pristine land.

The operation bore all the hallmarks of a professional drug-trafficking setup: terraced plots carved into the hillside, siphoned creek water, illegal trails, even a semi-automatic pistol for good measure. Rangers also discovered Methamidophos, a pesticide banned in the U.S. for more than 15 years, proving once again that outlaw growers are equal parts bold and reckless.

It’s hardly the park’s first rodeo—nearly 300,000 plants worth $850 million have been eradicated from Sequoia and Kings Canyon over the past two decades. The legacy? Poaching, polluted runoff, damaged ecosystems, and now one fewer secret farm pretending to be part of the scenery.

The Dems Are About To Get Side Swiped

What’s Going On Here: Bill Maher used his Friday night pulpit on HBO’s Real Time to deliver a blunt message: Democrats are about to get out-smoked by Donald Trump on marijuana reform.

Maher rolled a clip of Trump saying his administration is “looking at” reclassifying cannabis and quipped, “New rule: I told you so. I’ve been warning Democrats for years—the GOP was going to steal pot as an issue.” He argued Trump’s move fits his playbook: peel off passionate single-issue voters by the percentage point until the scoreboard flashes red on election night.

While Democrats talk lofty ideals like “saving America’s soul,” Trump talks tax-free tips and now, potentially, tax-relief cannabis. Maher noted that rescheduling to Schedule III wouldn’t legalize marijuana, but it would ease criminal penalties, supercharge research, and—crucially—let pharma and mainstream players join the green rush where state laws allow.

In Maher’s words, Trump doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel; he just has to roll a joint. And if Democrats don’t wake up, they might find themselves explaining “equity frameworks” while Trump rallies voters with promises of 1776 Freedom Kush.

🗞️ The News

📺 YouTube

Cannabis Rescheduling Momentum Builds in Trump World | TDR Cannabis in 5

What we will cover:

✅ Momentum around cannabis rescheduling has picked up noticeably in recent days, with several Trump-aligned voices taking to social media to signal support for reclassifying marijuana. Bruce LeVell, a longtime Trump ally, described rescheduling as “common sense reform” that empowers states and strengthens public safety. Alex Bruesewitz, a conservative strategist, called it an “80-20 issue among all voters” and a “70-30 issue among Republicans,” while stressing that rescheduling is not legalization — and that critics suggesting otherwise are being misleading.

TDR Cannabis in 5, presented by Dutchie, takes a closer look at this weekend’s surge of discussion and what it could mean for cannabis policy. Host Shadd Dales breaks down the context behind these endorsements, why they matter politically, and how they are influencing both public perception and investor sentiment. Conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman also voiced support, broadening the conversation and underscoring how cannabis reform is becoming increasingly mainstream inside GOP circles.

No official announcement has been made by the DEA, DOJ, or the White House. Still, the timing and visibility of these statements have sparked widespread speculation that rescheduling may be closer than expected. Whether news comes this week or later, the fact that Republican figures are speaking openly about cannabis reform shows how far the issue has moved into the mainstream.