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The Final Countdown: The Rotation Breaks Down Florida’s 2026 Election, Cannabis Legalization, and the Future of Marijuana Reform
Suncoast NORML interviews Florida House candidates Ashley Herman and Ocean Fitts, examines David Jolly’s position on marijuana legalization, and discusses the latest cannabis research just days before Election Day.
November 1, 2026 | Suncoast NORML | The Rotation Podcast
With Florida's November 3, 2026, election just two days away, The Rotation by Suncoast NORML delivered an election-focused episode examining the future of cannabis legalization, medical marijuana patient protections, home cultivation rights, and the political candidates who could shape Florida's drug policies.
The episode, titled "The Final Countdown: Jumpin' in the Rotation Before Election Day," featured hosts Gary Stein, Carlos Hermida, and Christopher Cano discussing Florida's political landscape, interviewing two candidates for the Florida House of Representatives, and reviewing an exclusive interview with gubernatorial candidate David Jolly.
The hosts also explored new research on THC potency, professional athletes' attitudes toward cannabis, veterans' support for marijuana legalization, and the relationship between licensed cannabis dispensaries, crime, and local economic activity.
Throughout the episode, one central question guided the conversation: Will Florida's next generation of elected officials advance cannabis reform, or will prohibition continue to shape the state's laws?
Watch or Listen to the Full Episode
SoundCloud: Listen to The Final Countdown on SoundCloud
Florida's 2026 Election Could Determine the Future of Cannabis Legalization
The episode opened with Gary Stein's Florida Man Minute, which revisited the unsuccessful 2024 adult-use marijuana legalization amendment and the political obstacles that have confronted cannabis reform advocates.
Florida's Amendment 3 received approximately 56% support in 2024 but failed to reach the 60% supermajority required for constitutional amendments.
That result stands in contrast to Florida's 2016 medical marijuana amendment, which passed with approximately 71% voter approval.
The hosts argued that the 2024 outcome should not be interpreted as evidence that most Floridians oppose recreational marijuana legalization.
They discussed the influence of political advertising, disagreements within the cannabis community over home cultivation, and controversies involving the Hope Florida Foundation and funding used to oppose ballot initiatives.
The conversation also addressed Florida's single-subject rule for constitutional amendments and legal challenges that have complicated efforts to place additional marijuana legalization measures before voters.
Suncoast NORML's position remains that cannabis reform should be determined by evidence, public health considerations, individual liberty, and the interests of patients and consumers.
The organization continues to advocate for:
Legal adult-use cannabis for Floridians 21 and older.
Home cultivation rights for medical marijuana patients.
Employment and parental protections for lawful medical cannabis patients.
Reduced criminal penalties and an end to marijuana prohibition.
Consumer protections and fair access to the legal cannabis marketplace.
Greater accountability and transparency in cannabis policymaking.
The hosts emphasized that meaningful reform requires more than a favorable governor. It also requires legislators, executive officials, and other elected representatives willing to consider and advance cannabis policy changes.
Ashley Herman Discusses Cannabis Legalization and Criminal Justice Reform in Florida House District 69
One of the episode's featured guests was Ashley Herman, a candidate for Florida House District 69.
The district includes portions of southeastern Hillsborough County, including Brandon, Riverview, Wimauma, Lithia, and Valrico.
Herman described her background in climate justice organizing and her national endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America.
Her campaign priorities include housing affordability, property insurance costs, transportation infrastructure, environmental protection, and the influence of corporate money in Florida politics.
When the conversation shifted to cannabis, Herman expressed support for ending marijuana criminalization and expanding legalization.
Ashley Herman's Position on Recreational Marijuana
Herman said she would support efforts to legalize adult-use marijuana through the Florida Legislature if another citizen-led constitutional amendment could not move forward.
She also criticized restrictions that make it more difficult for Florida voters to propose and approve constitutional amendments.
Herman expressed concern about excessive policing, incarceration for nonviolent offenses, and the role of private prison companies in politics.
She specifically criticized the political influence of GEO Group and said she would not accept financial contributions from the company.
Ashley Herman Takes the Hot Seat
During The Rotation's signature Hot Seat segment, Herman answered three questions about cannabis reform.
Should Florida allow medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis at home?
Herman answered yes, explaining that patients should be able to cultivate a plant that helps them.
What cannabis policy would she change first as a state representative?
Herman identified recreational marijuana legalization as her priority and suggested returning to the policy goals behind the 2024 amendment.
What should Florida's cannabis community do next?
Her answer was simple: vote, and encourage others to participate in the election.
Herman acknowledged that cannabis reform has not been her campaign's primary focus, but she expressed a willingness to learn more and work with advocates.
Campaign information: Ashley for Florida House
Ocean Fitts Supports Marijuana Legalization and Home Grow in Florida House District 71
The second featured candidate was Ocean Fitts, running for Florida House District 71 in Manatee County.
The district includes areas around Bradenton, Palmetto, Anna Maria Island, and Longboat Key.
Fitts discussed his involvement in local political organizing, his commitment to increasing younger voter participation, and his belief that government should serve the interests of ordinary residents rather than powerful corporations.
He identified housing affordability, insurance costs, environmental protection, and corporate influence as major concerns.
Ocean Fitts Calls for Ending Cannabis Prohibition
Fitts expressed strong support for marijuana legalization, describing cannabis as a plant that should not subject people to criminal punishment.
He also shared personal experiences involving cannabis and migraine symptoms in his family.
The discussion expanded into the long-term consequences of marijuana convictions, including barriers to employment, housing, and voting rights.
The hosts examined how criminal records and financial obligations associated with felony convictions can complicate the restoration of voting rights.
Fitts argued that cannabis prohibition creates unnecessary consequences for individuals and communities.
Ocean Fitts Takes the Hot Seat
Should medical cannabis patients be allowed to grow their own marijuana?
Fitts answered yes, arguing that cannabis cultivation should be treated similarly to growing other plants.
What cannabis policy would he change first?
His response was straightforward: legalize marijuana for everyone.
What should the cannabis community do next?
Fitts encouraged viewers to research candidates, understand their positions, and vote for the individuals they believe will best represent their interests.
His appearance reflected a broader theme of the episode: younger candidates are increasingly willing to discuss cannabis legalization openly as part of a larger conversation about individual freedom and government accountability.
Campaign information: Ocean for Florida
David Jolly Explains His Position on Recreational Marijuana and Medical Cannabis Patient Rights
One of the episode's most significant moments was the presentation and discussion of Suncoast NORML's exclusive interview with former Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate David Jolly.
Gary Stein and Carlos Hermida secured the interview following a campaign rally at Tampa's historic Cuban Club.
The conversation followed Jolly's appearance on Fox News, where he and gubernatorial opponent Byron Donalds were questioned about recreational marijuana legalization.
According to Jolly's account of that exchange, Donalds opposed signing recreational marijuana legislation, while Jolly said he would sign such a bill.
David Jolly Says He Would Honor the Will of Florida Voters
During the Suncoast NORML interview, Jolly acknowledged that he personally voted against Florida's 2024 recreational marijuana amendment.
However, he distinguished his personal vote from what he believes would be his responsibility as governor.
Jolly explained that a majority of voters supported the proposal, even though it failed to reach Florida's constitutional amendment threshold.
He said he would introduce legislation reflecting the majority's preference for adult-use legalization.
This distinction became a major discussion point during the podcast.
Carlos Hermida questioned how confidently cannabis advocates should interpret Jolly's position, given his previous opposition to the amendment.
Christopher Cano argued that political positions can evolve through education and direct engagement with advocates.
The hosts also discussed Jolly's conversations with former Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who serves on NORML's national board.
Is David Jolly in Favor of Home Grow?
When asked whether medical marijuana patients should be allowed to cultivate cannabis at home, Jolly expressed openness to the idea but did not offer unconditional support.
He suggested that some restrictions might be necessary and acknowledged that he wanted to learn more about the issue.
For Suncoast NORML, this represents an opportunity for continued advocacy rather than a finalized policy commitment.
The hosts emphasized that a candidate's willingness to engage with patients and reform organizations can create opportunities for legislation that have been absent under previous administrations.
Jolly Discusses Employment, Parental, and Medical Protections
Gary Stein also raised several unresolved problems within Florida's medical marijuana program.
These include patients facing potential employment consequences, child custody concerns, transplant eligibility complications, and other barriers associated with lawful medical cannabis use.
Jolly expressed willingness to work on protections addressing these issues.
The hosts emphasized that Florida's legalization debate cannot focus exclusively on recreational marijuana. It must also address the rights of patients already participating in the state's medical cannabis program.
For a detailed breakdown of David Jolly's answers, read Suncoast NORML's full article:
Why Suncoast NORML's 2026 Voting Guide Includes Candidates From Multiple Political Parties
Another major topic was the Suncoast NORML 2026 voting guide.
Christopher Cano explained that the guide is intended to evaluate candidates based on their records, public statements, and willingness to advance cannabis reform rather than their political party affiliations.
The guide includes Democrats, Republicans, and candidates without party affiliation.
Cano discussed the inclusion of Republican lawmakers who have supported cannabis-related legislation, alongside Democratic candidates who have made legalization central to their platforms.
The hosts acknowledged that some viewers had criticized particular endorsements or questioned why candidates from opposing political parties appeared together.
Their response was that cannabis reform is not exclusively a Democratic or Republican issue.
Suncoast NORML evaluates candidates through the lens of marijuana policy, including their positions on legalization, decriminalization, patient protections, and consumer rights.
The hosts also highlighted the importance of engaging candidates who may not yet have established detailed cannabis policy platforms.
The episode encouraged viewers to examine both the Suncoast NORML guide and the national NORML congressional voter guide before casting their ballots.
Florida's Medical Marijuana Patients Still Need Stronger Legal Protections
Beyond the election, the hosts repeatedly returned to unresolved problems in Florida's medical marijuana system.
Although voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis in 2016, the program does not automatically provide patients with comprehensive protections against discrimination or other consequences.
The episode addressed several priorities:
Employment protections: Patients should not automatically lose employment opportunities because of lawful medical cannabis use, particularly when there is no evidence of workplace impairment.
Parental rights: Participation in the medical marijuana program should not, by itself, be grounds for removing children from their families.
Organ transplant access: Medical cannabis patients should not face automatic exclusion from transplant consideration solely because of their patient status.
Home cultivation: Qualified patients should have a lawful pathway to grow cannabis for personal medical use.
Second Amendment concerns: The hosts also discussed conflicts between cannabis use and federal firearm restrictions.
Suncoast NORML has worked on proposed legislation addressing several of these issues and continues to seek lawmakers willing to advance patient-focused reforms.
NORML News: Professional Athletes Support Updated Cannabis Policies
The episode's NORML News segment shifted from electoral politics to emerging cannabis research.
One featured study examined how professional athletes and medical training personnel view cannabis products.
The research, published in Sports Health, surveyed 166 professional athletes and 64 members of medical and training staffs.
According to the findings discussed during the episode:
56% of athletes reported current cannabis product use.
87% believed cannabis products had therapeutic potential.
67% said they would consider cannabis as an alternative to other medications if effective and permitted under league rules.
The researchers also identified gaps in formal cannabis education among athletes and medical professionals.
The hosts argued that professional athletes should not be excluded from discussions about medical cannabis access simply because of their profession.
They also connected the research to the broader issue of workplace protections for medical marijuana patients.
New Survey Finds Strong Cannabis Legalization Support Among Military Veterans
Another research highlight examined attitudes toward marijuana legalization among military veterans.
The episode cited survey data from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America involving 470 respondents.
The findings presented on the show indicated that approximately 61% supported legalizing marijuana for adults, while nearly 90% supported medical marijuana legalization.
The hosts discussed the relevance of cannabis access for veterans experiencing chronic pain, sleep difficulties, and other health concerns.
They also addressed federal restrictions that complicate the ability of Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians to recommend cannabis under state medical marijuana programs.
The discussion emphasized that support for medical marijuana extends across demographic and political boundaries.
For Suncoast NORML, veterans' access remains an important component of federal cannabis reform.
Does Higher THC Potency Mean a Stronger High? New Research Challenges Common Assumptions
One of the episode's most educational discussions involved new research on THC potency and subjective intoxication.
Christopher Cano reviewed an analysis published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews examining results from 40 human studies involving more than 1,000 participants.
The researchers found that increasing THC doses does not necessarily produce a proportional increase in perceived intoxication.
In other words, doubling the amount of THC consumed does not automatically double the intensity of the experience.
The research suggested that subjective effects can increase nonlinearly and eventually plateau at higher doses.
The hosts discussed why these findings matter for consumers, policymakers, and regulators considering THC potency limits.
However, a plateau in subjective intoxication does not mean that higher THC doses are harmless. Greater exposure can still increase the risk of adverse effects, and individual responses vary.
Carlos Hermida's Myth Busting: THC Caps and Medical Cannabis Patients
Building on the research discussion, Carlos Hermida delivered a Myth Busting segment focused on THC potency caps.
Drawing on his experience operating Chillum in Ybor City, Hermida explained that customers seeking higher-potency cannabis products are not necessarily looking for stronger recreational intoxication.
He described how some medical consumers seek higher-dose products for symptom management and how their purchasing patterns can differ from those of recreational consumers.
Hermida argued that blanket THC limits can disproportionately affect medical marijuana patients who rely on access to a wider range of product strengths.
The hosts also discussed how cannabinoids, terpenes, product formulation, and methods of administration can influence the cannabis experience.
The broader message was that cannabis regulation should account for differences between recreational consumers and medical patients rather than relying solely on THC percentages.
Studies Associate Licensed Cannabis Dispensaries With Lower Crime and Increased Local Economic Activity
The NORML News segment also examined research on the relationship between licensed cannabis dispensaries and their surrounding communities.
One study, published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, examined neighborhood crime patterns following adult-use dispensary openings.
According to the findings presented on the podcast, researchers observed decreases in serious crime and property crime around licensed dispensaries.
The researchers suggested that security measures commonly used by regulated cannabis businesses, including cameras, alarm systems, and on-site personnel, may help deter criminal activity.
A separate study discussed during the episode examined economic activity near recreational cannabis retailers.
The findings associated dispensary openings with increases of approximately:
6.8% in customers at nearby businesses.
8.01% in transactions.
7.47% in revenue.
Food and beverage establishments were among the businesses identified as experiencing positive effects.
These findings suggest that licensed cannabis retailers may contribute to neighborhood commercial activity, although results from individual studies should not be assumed to apply equally to every community.
The hosts connected the research to the argument that regulated cannabis markets can offer public safety and economic advantages over prohibition.
Florida's Hemp Industry, Corporate Influence, and the Future of Legalization
The episode also addressed the pressures facing Florida's hemp industry.
Carlos Hermida discussed how restrictions on hemp-derived products can affect small businesses and consumers who rely on those products.
The hosts expressed concern that restrictive regulations may favor large cannabis corporations while reducing consumer choices and opportunities for independent retailers.
They also examined the influence of campaign contributions from corporate interests, including cannabis companies and private prison operators.
The discussion raised a question that will remain important beyond the 2026 election:
When Florida eventually legalizes adult-use cannabis, who will benefit from the new system?
Suncoast NORML emphasized the importance of designing a legal marketplace that prioritizes consumers, patients, civil liberties, and fair competition rather than exclusively benefiting established corporations.
The hosts noted that additional adult-use legalization proposals have already been filed for consideration in the 2028 election cycle.
The Rotation's Top Host Competition and What's Coming Next
The episode also included an update on The Rotation's participation in the Top Host Competition.
The hosts discussed the possibility of earning a six-episode opportunity associated with iHeartRadio and Ryan Seacrest's production team.
They encouraged listeners to support the show and help expand its audience.
The team also previewed upcoming programming, including a memorial episode honoring Tampa cannabis advocate Joe Redner and a future election recap examining the November 3 results.
The hosts reiterated their commitment to bringing candidates, researchers, activists, and community leaders into direct conversations about cannabis policy.
Why The Rotation Matters for Florida Cannabis Reform
The Rotation by Suncoast NORML combines political interviews, cannabis research, public policy analysis, and grassroots advocacy in a weekly discussion of marijuana reform.
The November 1 episode demonstrated how cannabis legalization intersects with many issues affecting Florida residents, including criminal justice, employment, medical access, voting rights, economic opportunity, and government accountability.
By interviewing candidates directly, the show gives voters an opportunity to hear where prospective lawmakers stand on marijuana legalization and patient protections.
The program also provides a platform for examining new scientific findings and challenging claims about cannabis that may not reflect current evidence.
As Florida approaches Election Day, Suncoast NORML continues to encourage civic participation and informed discussion about the future of cannabis policy.
The central takeaway from this episode is that cannabis reform depends not only on public support, but also on the laws, institutions, and elected officials responsible for translating that support into policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Rotation and Florida Cannabis Reform
What was discussed on The Rotation's November 1, 2026, episode?
The episode covered Florida's upcoming election, marijuana legalization, medical cannabis patient protections, home grow legislation, candidate interviews with Ashley Herman and Ocean Fitts, David Jolly's cannabis policy positions, and new scientific research involving THC potency, athletes, veterans, and dispensaries.
Does David Jolly support recreational marijuana legalization in Florida?
During an interview with Suncoast NORML, David Jolly said he would introduce legislation reflecting the majority support for recreational marijuana legalization expressed by Florida voters in 2024. He also acknowledged personally voting against that amendment.
Does David Jolly support medical marijuana home grow?
Jolly expressed openness to discussing home cultivation for medical marijuana patients, potentially with restrictions. He did not make an unconditional commitment to support a specific home grow proposal.
Does Ashley Herman support marijuana legalization?
Yes. During her appearance on The Rotation, Florida House District 69 candidate Ashley Herman supported recreational marijuana legalization, home cultivation for medical patients, and reducing criminal penalties for cannabis offenses.
Does Ocean Fitts support cannabis legalization?
Yes. Florida House District 71 candidate Ocean Fitts expressed support for legalizing marijuana and allowing medical cannabis patients to cultivate their own plants.
Can Florida medical marijuana patients legally grow cannabis at home?
No. As of November 1, 2026, Florida's medical marijuana program does not authorize registered patients to cultivate their own cannabis at home.
Why did Florida's 2024 marijuana legalization amendment fail?
Although Amendment 3 received majority support, it did not reach the 60% voter approval threshold required for constitutional amendments in Florida.
Does higher THC potency always produce stronger intoxication?
No. Research discussed during the episode suggests that subjective intoxication does not increase proportionally with THC dosage. Individual responses vary, and higher doses can still produce additional risks.
Where can I watch or listen to The Rotation?
The Rotation is available on YouTube and SoundCloud, with additional information and cannabis reform coverage published through Suncoast NORML.
About Suncoast NORML
Suncoast NORML is a Florida chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, advocating for sensible cannabis policies, patient protections, consumer rights, and an end to marijuana prohibition.
Through public education, community organizing, legislative advocacy, and its weekly podcast The Rotation, Suncoast NORML works to connect Florida residents with the information and opportunities necessary to advance meaningful cannabis reform.
The Rotation airs Sundays at 11 a.m. Eastern.
For more cannabis news, candidate interviews, scientific research, and updates on marijuana reform in Florida, visit SuncoastNORML.org.
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