John Morgan endorses recreational marijuana in Florida, says he 'might' run for governor

Floridians have seen attorney John Morgan’s billboard ads: “America’s Largest Injury Law Firm – Size Matters," one reads.

Now, they’re going to see a lot more promotions from Morgan & Morgan’s founder, but for a completely different purpose.

To make Florida’s recreational marijuana constitutional amendment the law of the land, Morgan knows the size of the advertising campaign matters, too. 

The attorney and frequent Democratic fundraiser announced Wednesday that he would appear in multiple audio advertisements to get out the vote on Amendment 3, which would allow marijuana for those 21 years and older in Florida – if those casting a state ballot in the 2024 election approve it by no less than a 60% threshold.

"I'm back for this amendment," Morgan said at a press conference in Orlando. "I believe in the people of Florida. I believe they're going to legalize it. I believe it's going to be tight."

The ads are being paid for by Smart & Safe Florida, the group leading the amendment's campaign. It's collected nearly $50 million, mostly from Trulieve, Florida's largest medical marijuana provider.

Morgan led and poured money into the two campaigns to legalize medical pot in Florida, the second of which was successful. Comments he made earlier this year created speculation that he may even run for governor in 2026.

That speculation is likely to be heightened by the ads.

“Today, too many adults are sitting in our jails simply because they were using marijuana, and that is just wrong,” he said in one. “If I was your governor, I would free or parole any person in jail for possession, and then expunge everyone’s record.”

When asked during the press conference whether he would run, Morgan pointed out his age — 68 years old — and how he lives in Hawaii half the year. But he didn't rule it out.

"I might, but if I did it would be the most unusual (campaign), it would only be third party, it wouldn't be like anything you'd ever seen before," he said.

Morgan also bashed the current governor, Republican Ron DeSantis, and other opponents of the amendment both in the ads and at the press conference.

DeSantis has said medical marijuana is enough for Florida and believes citizens will tank the amendment. He accused its language of being too broad and leading to prolific marijuana smells across the state. 

"Well, that's a (expletive) lie," Morgan said.

It's a big departure from 2019, when DeSantis and Morgan appeared together at a press conference, along with now-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, to request the Legislature repeal a ban on smokable medical marijuana, saying it contradicted the amendment OK'd by voters.

But now, Morgan said the governor is employing similar rhetoric that was used against the medical marijuana amendment. He blamed the liquor and pharmaceutical industries for the opposition.

DeSantis is "against this because the pharmaceutical industry sees marijuana as a lethal challenge to their business," he said. "The liquor industry sees marijuana as a lethal challenge to their business."

Morgan talked about personal pot use, won't commit cash to campaign

Morgan says he uses marijuana every day: "I built the largest personal injury law firm in the world taking a gummy every single night," he said during the press conference.

At another point he said, "When I'm in Hawaii, I sit out under the stars, I smoke a joint, and I'm still here. As Elton John would say, 'I'm still standing.' "

But Morgan said he was just making a "cameo" and wouldn't be committing his own cash to the campaign.

"They don't call me 'Pot Daddy' for nothing," he said, referring to a nickname he got while backing medical marijuana. "But I don't plan on having any amount of my money in. It's already raised. They've got the money ... and I think more money will come."

More on Florida's 2024 amendments:Florida's 2024 constitutional amendments: What voters need to know

Supreme Court OK's measure for ballot:Florida Supreme Court gives voters final say on recreational marijuana

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at DSoule@gannett.com.