Florida Judge Dismisses Trulieve’s Defamation Lawsuit Against Florida GOP

Last Friday, on March 7th, Gadsden County Circuit Judge Ronald W. Flury dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by cannabis company Trulieve against the Florida Republican Party (GOP). Flury’s ruling was an important development in the ongoing discussions about cannabis legalization in Florida. The dismissal not only ended Trulieve’s legal pursuit but also showed the contentious relationship between corporate marijuana interests and political opposition.

Why the Lawsuit?

Trulieve, one of the largest cannabis corporations globally and the largest stakeholder in Florida’s medical marijuana industry by far, was the primary financier behind the failed Amendment 3 campaign. Trulieve contributed more than $144.5 million to the pro-legalization initiative, which sought to amend Florida’s constitution to legalize adult-use marijuana.

Despite securing nearly 56% of the vote, Amendment 3 ultimately failed to achieve the 60% threshold required for constitutional amendments. Following this defeat, Trulieve proceeded to file a lawsuit in October 2024, accusing the Florida GOP and two television stations of running what it described as “deceptive” campaigns designed to mislead voters into opposing the amendment.

The central claim by Trulieve revolved around allegations that the GOP broadcast messages suggesting Amendment 3 would bolster monopolistic practices and ban homegrow. Trulieve asserted these statements were “demonstrably false” and intentionally crafted to damage the company’s reputation and sabotage the legalization effort.

Judge Ronald W. Flury dismissed Trulieve’s lawsuit “with prejudice,” which bars the company from refiling the case, according to Politico. His decision indicated that there was enough evidence to establish defamation under the law. Specifically, Judge Flury noted that “amendment would be futile as there are no set of facts that would state a cause for defamation.”

This ruling essentially supported the GOP’s claim that its advertisements fell within the bounds of free speech, a fundamental right protected under the U.S. Constitution.

Statements from the Florida GOP on the Trulieve Lawsuit

The Florida GOP celebrated the dismissal as a significant victory against what it termed “Big Weed.” GOP Chairman Evan Power labeled the ruling as a critical defense of free speech and a rebuff against corporate marijuana interests attempting to sway state policy.

Power described the lawsuit as “lawfare” and rejected the notion that the Republican Party’s messaging had been deceptive. Instead, he framed the Amendment 3 push as a monopolistic endeavor intended to entrench businesses like Trulieve while excluding new entrants into the market.

Did Advertising Shape the Public’s Perception of Amendment 3?

A key feature of the GOP’s campaign against Amendment 3 rested on claims that the measure was a self-serving initiative for medical-marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) such as Trulieve. Critics argued that the proposed framework would effectively limit competition while continuing to prohibit home cannabis cultivation.

While Amendment 3’s text did not explicitly ban personal cultivation, it also didn’t lift the current prohibition codified in Florida law. Additionally, it gave MMTCs, like Trulieve, “first-mover status” for adult-use cannabis sales, which raised concerns about market monopolization.

Notably, the GOP’s opposition aligned with pro marijuana advocates (us here at Beard Bros), who similarly criticized the amendment’s lack of provisions for home-growing and its potential favoritism toward already established cannabis corporations.

The Evolution of Trulieve’s Legalization Strategy

Despite the Trulieve lawsuit loss, the story isn’t over. In January, the Smart & Safe Florida campaign, supported by Trulieve and other entities, revealed a revised marijuana legalization measure for the 2026 ballot.

The updated proposal attempts to address criticisms raised during the first campaign. For instance, the new language explicitly ensures the possibility of homegrow, pending state legislation. It also includes clearer statements to assure voters that the amendment wouldn’t place restrictions on market access for newcomers.

This updated campaign comes amidst new challenges, including proposed legislative efforts to make it more difficult to place constitutional amendments on the ballot.

What’s Next for Legal Marijuana in Florida?

Even as polls show a growing majority of Floridians supporting marijuana legalization—67% according to a recent survey—advocates must grapple with Florida’s high 60% approval requirement for constitutional amendments. Meanwhile, groups on both sides of the debate prepare for the next round of political and legal battles.

The dismissal of the Trulieve lawsuit reflects the tensions between corporate cannabis operations aiming to expand adult-use markets and political entities opposed to their influence. While Florida serves as one battleground, these dynamics echo national debates over marijuana policy.

Whether you see this ruling as a battle over principles, free speech, or market control, one thing is clear—cannabis legislation remains a highly contested and evolving issue.