Ron DeSantis | Reason Archives (original) (raw)

florida and weed | Illustration: Lex Villena; Ylivdesign, Tyler Oneill | Dreamstime.com

Ballot Initiatives

Florida's Marijuana Legalization Initiative Fails To Pass

A majority of the state's voters said yes to Amendment Three, but that wasn't enough to clear the 60 percent threshold required to pass a Florida ballot initiative.

C.J. Ciaramella | 11.5.2024 9:08 PM

An illustration of a Florida beach showing palm trees with marijuana leaves | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson; Source images: iStock

Marijuana

Big Pot vs. Big Government in Florida

Mom-and-pop marijuana operations do not exist in Florida. That's by design.

C.J. Ciaramella | 10.19.2024 6:00 AM

A smartphone screen depicting social media apps YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, Telegram, Twitter (now X), Instagram, Whatsapp, Skype, Reddit, etc. | Bigtunaonline | Dreamstime.com

Social Media

Can Differences in 'Misinformation' Sharing Explain Political Disparities in Social Media Suspensions?

A new study finds that conservatives are especially likely to share information from sources that a "politically balanced" sample of Republicans and Democrats deemed untrustworthy.

Jacob Sullum | 10.10.2024 3:30 PM

California Gov. Gavin Newsom at the 2024 Democratic National Convention | Annabelle Gordon - CNP/Polaris/Newscom

Marijuana

Gavin Newsom Wants California To Have More Restrictive Drug Laws Than Florida

Newsom's "emergency" rules banning all THC in hemp products doesn't square with his insistence that his state provides more freedom than Florida under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Joe Lancaster | 9.9.2024 4:05 PM

Ron DeSantis next to a lab-grown chicken sandwich. | Illustration: Lex Villena; Michele Eve Sandberg

Florida

Lawsuit Challenges Florida Lab-Grown Meat Ban

The ban was "enacted with the express purpose of insulating Florida agricultural businesses from innovative, out-of-state competition," according to the suit.

Emma Camp | 8.13.2024 4:15 PM

a gun rests on top of cannabis leaves | MIS Photography/pxfuel.com

Second Amendment

The DOJ Claims Medical Marijuana Patients Who Own Guns 'Endanger the Public in Multiple Ways'

Defending the federal ban on gun possession by drug users, the government's lawyers seem increasingly desperate.

Jacob Sullum | 7.18.2024 3:55 PM

Nikki Haley speaks at the 2024 Republican National Convention | MATT MARTIN/UPI/Newscom

Election 2024

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis Bend the Knee to Donald Trump

Trump's former rivals are forced to concede that he is the man of the moment.

Robby Soave | 7.16.2024 11:32 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis | Matias J. Ocner/TNS/Newscom

Government secrecy

Ron DeSantis Won't Stop Trying To Gut Florida's Public Records Law

DeSantis' chief of staff used a personal phone to coordinate migrant flights to Martha's Vineyard. Now DeSantis' lawyers say those phone logs should be secret.

C.J. Ciaramella | 6.21.2024 3:10 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis | Pedro Portal/TNS/Newscom

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis Says Letting People Buy Cultivated Meat Is Like Forcing Them To Eat Bugs

Florida’s protectionist ban on the nascent industry sacrifices conservative principles in the name of a culture war that politicizes everything.

Jacob Sullum | 5.8.2024 12:01 AM

Ron DeSantis and lab-grown meat | Pedro Portal/TNS/Newscom; Just Eat, Inc.

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis Signs Bill Banning Lab-Grown Meat in Florida

While the governor framed the legislation as necessary to protect Floridians from "the global elite," he's the real authoritarian.

Emma Camp | 5.2.2024 2:20 PM

weed2 | Illustration: Lex Villena; Twitter

Marijuana

DeSantis Frets About Florida 'Reeking of Marijuana,' Says He'll Oppose Legalization

Once again, DeSantis is a guy who claims to love freedom—until he disagrees with the choices some adults make.

Eric Boehm | 5.1.2024 2:20 PM

View of the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington shows the east side entrance to federal building. | Chuck Myers/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Nonprofits

This Bill Would Give the Treasury Nearly Unlimited Power To Destroy Nonprofits

It supposedly bans financing terrorism, but that's already illegal. It's really a power grab for the secretary of the treasury.

Matthew Petti | 4.24.2024 1:54 PM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis gives a speech | Michael Brochstein/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Florida

Ron DeSantis Signs Florida Bill Limiting How Close Bystanders Can Get to Police

The law makes it a misdemeanor to approach within 25 feet of a first responder after receiving a verbal warning to stay away.

C.J. Ciaramella | 4.12.2024 3:42 PM

Ron DeSantis | Pedro Portal/TNS/Newscom

Technology

Ron DeSantis Signs Social Media Age-Verification Bill

The law would require platforms to use invasive measures to prevent most teenagers under 16 from making social media accounts and bar all minors from sexually explicit sites.

Emma Camp | 3.25.2024 3:53 PM

Women's high heels on stage | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@rexcuando?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Eric Nopanen</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-in-gray-platform-stilettos-72eYgGJVzQM?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>

Strippers

Florida Lawmakers Vote To Raise Stripping Age to 21

Employing an 18- to 20-year-old at an adult venue could mean 15 years in prison, even if the young person used a fake ID.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.11.2024 11:44 AM

Ron DeSantis | Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald/TNS/Newscom

Social Media

DeSantis Vetoed a Social Media Age-Verification Law, but That Doesn't Mean He Won't Sign a New One

A law forcing kids off social media sites is still likely coming to Florida.

Emma Camp | 3.4.2024 4:55 PM

Ron DeSantis and lab-grown meat. | Illustration: Lex Villena; GOOD Meat, Miami Herald

Ron DeSantis

Ron DeSantis Supports Legislation Banning Lab-Grown Meat

"You need meat, OK? We're going to have meat in Florida," DeSantis said during a press conference.

Emma Camp | 2.5.2024 2:10 PM

Ron DeSantis | Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Florida

Disney Can't Prove DeSantis Retaliated Against It, Federal Judge Rules

Disney has vowed to appeal the ruling.

Eric Boehm | 1.31.2024 5:05 PM

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking at a January town hall in Derry, New Hampshire | Matias J. Ocner/TNS/Newscom

Government Spending

It is not the job of Florida taxpayers to support state officials' preferred presidential candidates.

Varad Raigaonkar | 1.24.2024 5:00 PM

Ron DeSantis speaks, American flag background | Nikhinson Julia/ABACA/Newscom

Republican Presidential Nomination

DeSantis Down and Out

Plus: Javier Milei’s powerful speech on economic prosperity in Davos

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 1.22.2024 4:52 PM

DeSantis | Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Ron DeSantis

So Long to the Man in Lifts

Plus: Passover's race problem, Lenin revisionism, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 1.22.2024 9:30 AM

Ron DeSantis with a solemn look on his face | Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Republican Party

Ron DeSantis Could Have Run on a Message of Freedom

His political makeover into a Trumpy cultural warrior undermined what could have been a compelling campaign about the value of freedom.

Eric Boehm | 1.21.2024 7:45 AM

A person gives a thumbs up with a bandage on their arm | Lakshmiprasad S/Dreamstime

Vaccines

DeSantis Repeats Lie That Booster Shots Make You More Likely To Get COVID

Evidence actually shows that vaccinated people are less likely to be hospitalized or die of the infection.

Ronald Bailey | 1.18.2024 3:45 PM

Matt Welch on Just Asking Questions photo with the word Populism? above his headshot | Illustration: Lex Villena

Populism

Matt Welch: What's Wrong With Populism?

Matt Welch discusses the Iowa caucus results, the 2024 election, and the resurgence of "libertarian populism" on the latest episode of Just Asking Questions.

Zach Weissmueller and Liz Wolfe | 1.18.2024 12:45 PM

Davos | Andy Barton/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Taxes

Tax Us, Daddy?

Plus: Polycules go mainstream, DeSantis pulls out, tackle football lives on, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 1.18.2024 9:30 AM

Trump in front of US flag on stage | TANNEN MAURY/UPI/Newscom

Iowa Caucuses

The Trump Train Rolls Through Iowa

Plus: A listener asks the editors if there are any bad laws that might discourage people from having kids.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 1.16.2024 4:45 PM

zumaamericastwentynine166232 | Alex Edelman/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Election 2024

Trump Romps Through Iowa Caucuses, Calls for GOP to 'Come Together'

DeSantis appears to be on track to claim second place, a distant 30-ish percentage points behind Trump.

Eric Boehm | 1.15.2024 11:10 PM

DeSantis and Haley next to each other on the debate stage | Kyle Mazza/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Politics

DeSantis, Haley Highlight the Republican Party's Deeply Unserious Approach to Social Security

A decade ago, DeSantis was supporting real efforts at reforming Social Security. Now, he's refusing to even acknowledge the problem.

Eric Boehm | 1.11.2024 2:45 PM

empty debate stage | Kyle Mazza/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Election 2024

Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out

Plus: Jacobin tries to read Hayek, Houthis try to strike more ships, S.F. politicians try to order businesses around, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 1.11.2024 9:30 AM

Ron DeSantis |  Brian Cahn/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Election 2024

Ron DeSantis Wouldn't Say No to Ethnic Cleansing in Gaza

But he would say no to pro-Palestinian speech.

Emma Camp | 1.10.2024 11:54 PM

Ron DeSantis smiling | Conor Duffy/Sipa USA/Newscom

Ron DeSantis

Federal Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Reform Prosecutor Removed from Office by Ron DeSantis

"The First Amendment prevents DeSantis from identifying a reform prosecutor and then suspending him to garner political benefit," U.S. Circuit Judge Jill Pryor wrote.

C.J. Ciaramella | 1.10.2024 5:39 PM

Ron DeSantis Iowa Caucuses CNN town hall flat tax IRS |  Fritz Nordengren/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis Wants To 'Eliminate the IRS' and Implement a Flat Tax

DeSantis says the new, single tax rate would mean "lower taxes for everyone" but that only demonstrates that he hasn't thought too deeply about how a flat tax would work.

Eric Boehm | 1.5.2024 1:00 PM

Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks to a crowd in New Hampshire | Christy Prosser/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Nikki Haley

Haley Rising

Plus: Late-stage abortions, Hamas feminism, baby bust, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 1.5.2024 9:30 AM

The Clevelander hotel in Miami Beach | Photo: Joerg Hackemann/Alamy

Housing Policy

Red State, Red Tape

How Florida’s legacy of slow-growth laws is holding back its post-COVID boom.

Christian Britschgi | 12.31.2023 7:00 AM

Mariel Boat Lift refugees holding up a child | Photo: The Mariel refugees pictured on an Air Force base in Florida; Tim Chapman/Miami Herald/Getty

Immigration

Florida Is Shunning the People Who Helped Build It

The state can thank immigrants for much of its recent economic success, but now they're getting the cold shoulder.

Fiona Harrigan | 12.18.2023 6:00 AM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking to the media | Photo: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds a press conference at the Reedy Creek Administration Building in Lake Buena Vista, Florida; SOPA Images Limited/Alamy

Florida

DeSantis vs. Disney: Florida's Fight Over Private Governance

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ crusade to end America's greatest success in private governance.

M. Nolan Gray | 12.16.2023 6:00 AM

The Best of Reason Magazine logo | Joanna Andreasson

Transparency

The Best of Reason: Monkey Herpes, Face Eating, and the Pork Chop Gang: The Origins of Florida Man

The growing anti-transparency atmosphere in the state might make the Florida Man extinct.

C.J. Ciaramella | 12.12.2023 4:40 PM

An aerial view of New York City |  Littleny/Dreamstime.com

Housing Policy

New York's Broken Housing Court Lets Tenant Stay For Years Without Paying Rent

Plus: Austin and Salt Lake City pass very different "middle housing" reforms, Democrats in Congress want to ban hedge fund–owned rental housing, and a look at GOP presidential candidate's housing policy positions.

Christian Britschgi | 12.12.2023 7:00 AM

Ron DeSantis | Michael Palmer/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

LGBT

DeSantis Returns To 'Too Online' Roots With Debate Comments About Trans Kids

While transgender issues dominated Wednesday's debate, polls suggest that the subject is far from the top of voters' minds.

Emma Camp | 12.7.2023 10:27 AM

GOP debate stage | Michael Palmer/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Reason Roundup

The Most Obnoxious Blowhard in America

Plus: Grimes the urbanist, Matt Taibbi's fight night, crazy AI applications, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 12.7.2023 9:30 AM

Ron DeSantis | screen shot/GOP Debate NewsNationNow

Election 2024

DeSantis Gets Sex Trafficking Wrong at GOP Debate

"We're going to build a wall...I am not going to sit there and let sex trafficking go unabated," DeSantis said.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.6.2023 9:51 PM

George Santos and Henry Kissinger | Rod Lamkey - CNP / MEGA / Newscom/RSSIL/Newscom; Rick Friedman/Polaris/Newscom

Politics

Goodbye to George Santos and Henry Kissinger

Plus: an unexpected digression into the world of Little Debbie dessert snack cakes.

Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 12.4.2023 4:48 PM

Reason magazine 'r' logo on the left with an orange and yellow gradient outline of Florida on the right against a white background | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson

Florida

The Future Is Florida

The siren song of the Sunshine State is the promise of freedom tinged with the idea of escape.

Katherine Mangu-Ward | 12.4.2023 6:00 AM

Nope, nope, and nope! | Lex Villena

Webathon

How Reason Helps You Stay Sane During Political Brainworms Season

Turns out subjecting presidential aspirants to libertarian-flavored scrutiny is good for journalism! And sanity.

Matt Welch | 12.3.2023 8:00 AM

A composite of various Florida Man headlines in the media | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson

Transparency

Monkey Herpes, Face Eating, and the Pork Chop Gang: How Public Records Laws Created the Florida Man

The growing anti-transparency atmosphere in the state might make the Florida Man extinct.

C.J. Ciaramella | 12.3.2023 6:00 AM

Hamas hostage poster | Michael Nigro/Sipa USA/Newscom

Israel

Israel Knew What Hamas Was Planning

Plus: DeSantis vs. Newsom, a controversial Christmas-tree lighting, Brazilians use AI, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 12.1.2023 9:30 AM

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on screen debating California Governor Gavin Newsom | Robin Rayne/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Debates

The DeSantis-Newsom Debate Was Really a Debate About COVID

Too bad that was only a small part of the 90-minute affair.

Eric Boehm | 12.1.2023 8:45 AM

The state of Florida on a checkered background | Illustration: Lex Villena

Florida

A Bonus Reason Roundtable Featuring Four 'Florida Men' of Our Own

Plus: The Reason webathon is happening right now. Donate so we can make more fun podcasts like this one!

Peter Suderman, Stephanie Slade, Zach Weissmueller, and C.J. Ciaramella | 11.30.2023 5:16 PM

More