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Putnam, DeSantis Find Common Ground Opposing Recreational Pot

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam
Florida Channel

Florida’s two Republican candidates for governor say they don’t want recreational marijuana in the state. Congressman Ron DeSantis and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam made their positions clear during their first debate of the race.

They both back medical marijuana based on its support from the public. But DeSantis and Putnam say they don’t want pot consumed recreationally.

"I am not in favor in Florida, of doing recreational marijuana. Because I remember in high school, that was the number one reason why some of the pople I went to school with ended up falling out, and didn’t do good in school, didn’t do good in sports," DeSantis said.

Putnam says he fears the move would tarnish the state's image.

"I don’t want Florida to jeopardize our family-friendly image and be more like California by legalizing recreational marijuana," Putnam said.

DeSantis interjected when a moderator said DeSantis has a B grade from America’s leading pro-pot group. The congressman says that grade likely came from his position that the federal government should not dictate state policies.

Ryan Dailey is a reporter/producer for WFSU/Florida Public Radio. After graduating from Florida State University, Ryan went into print journalism working for the Tallahassee Democrat for five years. At the Democrat, he worked as a copy editor, general assignment and K-12 education reporter.