Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D) and Florida Rep. Charlie Crist (D) are both vying to unseat Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), and both have made calls for the Governor’s Florida Surgeon General nominee, Dr. Joe Ladapo, to be withdrawn after a controversial meeting with Florida state Senator Tina Polsky (D). Commissioner Fried directed verbal jabs at Rep. Crist, responding to a recent interview the former Governor of Florida took part in regarding marijuana decriminalization. In response, Fried argued that "Floridians were jailed under the marijuana crime bills you fought for."
In attending an online press conference, the former Governor of Florida slammed Dr. Ladapo for a ruling, which directed parents and not school districts to have the right to choose whether or not their children should wear masks. In response to the ruling, Crist commented that “Dr. Ladapo has made it clear that he was appointed not to help our state battle this public health crisis but to be an ill-informed political tool for the governor of Florida.”
Fried echoed in his remarks, affirming that “he should not be our surgeon general. He should not be somebody who is in charge of our healthcare policies in the state of Florida.”
However, both lawmakers now find themselves on opposing sides.
During an appearance on Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede, Rep. Crist was asked if he supported marijuana reform that was the "cornerstone" of Commissioner Fried's platform.
Appreciate the ‘compliment’, Charlie, but Floridians were jailed under the marijuana crime bills you fought for. They deserve an apology. pic.twitter.com/zZEFgjag7W
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) October 28, 2021
In September, the gubernatorial hopeful, urged the U.S. Senate to act on cannabis reform, saying that "Inaction will only stifle the growth of the federally-legal hemp industry and the state-legal cannabis industries to the detriment of the nation’s economy."
Responding to Crist's support, Fried thanked him, saying she appreciated the "compliment... but Floridians were aimed under the marijuana crime bills you fought for."
In turn, she said that "they deserve an apology."
