Public policy observationFederal hemp definition changes in 41 daysOct 2, 2026

Terracotta

Hemp + Cannabis Policy, With Sources and Gaps

Cannabis & Hemp Money Flows

Documented political contributions, investments, acquisitions, and other flows connected to hemp and cannabis policy. Industry and policy-position fields are analytical classifications; undisclosed amounts are kept in the record count and excluded from dollar totals.

Hemp and cannabis are not the same fight — they are two industries, and the full dataset is sharply imbalanced. Among the 56 of 85 flows with a disclosed amount, $240,801,468 is documented; $216,311,468 (90%) is classified as licensed-cannabis money. The remaining rows are included as documented flows but excluded from dollar totals. Documented hemp-industry flows: 8. Pharma, tobacco, alcohol, and other interests are broken out separately.

Full dataset — flow count by industry85 total
Cannabis 55Hemp 8Pharma 4Tobacco 2Alcohol 9Other 7

Biggest documented spenders

top 10 by total
Trulieve Cannabis Corp.$143,160,000
Keep Florida Clean Inc.$13,200,000
Ken Griffin (Citadel CEO / hedge fund billionaire)$12,000,000
John Morgan$11,700,000
Sean Parker$8,900,000
Sheldon Adelson$8,850,000
Medical cannabis industry operators$5,500,000
North Fund$4,900,000
Verano Holdings Corp.$4,537,500
Curaleaf$3,950,000

Documented flows

showing 1–40 of 85
FromTrulieve Cannabis Corp. Company
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$141,900,000
When2022
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFund the campaign to pass FL Amendment 3 legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana (would have expanded Trulieve's already-dominant FL market). Amendment failed at 55.9%, short of the 60% supermajority.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromKeep Florida Clean Inc. Company
ToFlorida Amendment 3 - Opposition
Amount$13,200,000
When2024
ClassificationOthernot classified
PurposeOpposition PAC raised $13.2 million to defeat Florida Amendment 3 recreational marijuana legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromKen Griffin (Citadel CEO / hedge fund billionaire) Organization
ToKeep Florida Clean (a.k.a. Vote No on 3) — anti-Amendment 3 committee
Amount$12,000,000
When2024
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeDefeat FL Amendment 3; Griffin called it 'a terrible plan.' Largest single funder of the opposition.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromSean Parker Organization
ToCalifornia Proposition 64
Amount$8,900,000
When2016
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFacebook co-founder and Napster creator donated $8.9 million to support California Proposition 64 recreational marijuana legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromJohn Morgan Organization
ToFlorida Amendment 2 (2016)
Amount$8,000,000
When2016
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeAttorney John Morgan and Morgan & Morgan law firm contributed over $8 million to successfully pass Florida Amendment 2 medical marijuana legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromMedical cannabis industry operators Company
ToArizona Proposition 207
Amount$5,500,000
When2020
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeTop five donors to Smart and Safe Arizona PAC supporting Proposition 207 were all medical marijuana industry businesses contributing nearly $5.5 million.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromSheldon Adelson Organization
ToFlorida Amendment 2 (2014) - Opposition
Amount$5,500,000
When2014
ClassificationOthernot classified
PurposeCasino billionaire and prohibition advocate funded opposition to Florida Amendment 2 medical marijuana measure, contributing 85% of opposition funds.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromNorth Fund Organization
ToMontana Initiative 190
Amount$4,900,000
When2020
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeNon-profit fund contributed $4.9 million to Montana Initiative 190 recreational marijuana legalization (donor identities not required to disclose).Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromJohn Morgan Organization
ToFlorida Amendment 2 (2014)
Amount$3,700,000
When2014
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFlorida attorney and founder of Morgan & Morgan law firm contributed millions to medical marijuana ballot measure (defeated).Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromVerano Holdings Corp. Company
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$3,500,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSupport passage of FL Amendment 3 adult-use legalization.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromSheldon Adelson Organization
ToNevada Question 2 - Opposition
Amount$3,350,000
When2016
ClassificationOthernot classified
PurposeCasino billionaire funded opposition to Nevada Question 2 recreational marijuana legalization, accounting for 96% of opposition funds.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromCannabis industry (aggregate: Trulieve, Curaleaf, GTI, Verano, Cresco and interest groups) Company
ToFederal lobbyists & consultants (Brian Ballard, Bryan Lanza, Daniel McFaul / ex-Gaetz staff, etc.)
Amount$3,200,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeRetain Trump-linked lobbyists to press for marijuana rescheduling (Schedule I → III) via executive action.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromCuraleaf Organization
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$3,000,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSupport passage of FL Amendment 3 adult-use legalization.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromMarijuana Policy Project Organization
ToOhio Issue 2
Amount$2,520,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeNational legalization organization contributed $2.52 million as top donor to Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol supporting Ohio Issue 2.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromPeter Lewis Organization
ToWashington Initiative 502
Amount$2,000,000
When2012
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeProgressive Insurance chairman donated over $2 million to Washington Initiative 502 recreational marijuana legalization, the initiative's largest donor.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromNew Approach PAC PAC
ToMontana Initiative 190
Amount$1,900,000
When2020
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeNational cannabis legalization PAC contributed $1.9 million to Montana Initiative 190 recreational marijuana legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromJulie Schauer Organization
ToCalifornia Proposition 64 - Opposition
Amount$1,360,000
When2016
ClassificationOthernot classified
PurposeRetired Pennsylvania art professor and prohibition advocate donated $1.36 million against California Proposition 64, representing 65% of opposition funds.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromJohn Sperling Organization
ToCalifornia Proposition 36
Amount$1,193,000
When2000
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFunded California Proposition 36 drug treatment and probation alternative to incarceration measure.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromAmerican Rights and Reform PAC (cannabis-industry super PAC) PAC
ToMake America Great Again Inc. (MAGA Inc.)
Amount$1,050,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSecond round of contributions to Trump's super PAC, bringing the PAC's total to MAGA Inc. to $2.05 million; came about a month before Trump signed the rescheduling executive order.Flow: Acquisition/InvestmentConfidence: High
FromVerano Holdings Corp. Company
ToAmerican Rights and Reform PAC (cannabis super PAC that funded MAGA Inc.)
Amount$1,037,500
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeLargest single MSO funder of the pro-Trump cannabis PAC that channeled $2.05M to MAGA Inc. in the rescheduling push.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromWeedMaps (Ghost Management Group LLC) Company
ToCalifornia Proposition 64
Amount$1,000,000
When2016
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeCannabis marketplace platform WeedMaps donated $1 million to support California Proposition 64 legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromGreen Thumb Industries (GTI) Organization
ToAmerican Rights and Reform PAC
Amount$1,000,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeMSO funding of the pro-Trump cannabis PAC backing federal rescheduling.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromAmerican Rights and Reform PAC (cannabis-industry super PAC; treasurer Matt Harrell, Curaleaf VP of gov't affairs) PAC
ToMake America Great Again Inc. (MAGA Inc. — Trump's primary super PAC)
Amount$1,000,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFirst of two large donations to Trump's super PAC by the MSO-funded PAC, ahead of Trump's executive order directing rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromCuraleaf Organization
ToAmerican Rights and Reform PAC
Amount$750,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeMSO funding of the pro-Trump cannabis PAC backing federal rescheduling.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromTrulieve Cannabis Corp. Company
ToTrump-Vance Inaugural Committee
Amount$750,000
When2024
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeDirect contributions to Trump's 2025 inaugural committee; part of cannabis industry effort to gain access ahead of federal marijuana rescheduling. CEO Kim Rivers attended pre-inauguration events.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromCresco Labs Organization
ToAmerican Rights and Reform PAC
Amount$750,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeMSO funding of the pro-Trump cannabis PAC backing federal rescheduling.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromMarijuana Policy Project Organization
ToMichigan Proposal 1
Amount$633,012
When2018
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeNational legalization advocacy organization contributed $633,012 to Michigan Proposal 1 recreational marijuana campaign, representing 36% of support funds.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromPeter Lewis Organization
ToMassachusetts Question 4
Amount$525,000
When2012
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeFunded Massachusetts Question 4 recreational marijuana legalization initiative.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromAYR Wellness Organization
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$510,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSupport passage of FL Amendment 3 adult-use legalization.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromJohn Sperling Organization
ToProposition 215
Amount$500,000
When1996
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeUniversity of Phoenix founder contributed to California Proposition 215 medical marijuana legalization initiative.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromPeter Lewis Organization
ToProposition 215
Amount$500,000
When1996
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposePhilanthropist and Progressive Insurance chairman funded legalization petition circulators for California Proposition 215.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromGeorge Soros Organization
ToProposition 215
Amount$500,000
When1996
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposePaid for professional petition circulators for California Proposition 215 medical marijuana legalization initiative.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromInsys Therapeutics Organization
ToArizonans for Responsible Drug Policy
Amount$500,000
When2016
ClassificationPharmapharmaceutical interest
PurposePharmaceutical opioid-spray maker donated $500k to oppose Arizona Prop 205 (recreational marijuana legalization), protecting painkiller market share.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromGreen Thumb Industries (GTI) Organization
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$500,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSupport passage of FL Amendment 3 adult-use legalization.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromCresco Labs Organization
ToSmart & Safe Florida (Amendment 3 ballot committee)
Amount$403,236
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeSupport passage of FL Amendment 3 adult-use legalization.Flow: Documented FlowConfidence: High
FromNew Growth Horizon LLC Company
ToMissouri Amendment 3
Amount$365,000
When2022
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeNon-profit arm of Proper Brands medical marijuana company contributed $365,000 as largest donor to Legal Missouri 2022 supporting Amendment 3.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromAmerican Rights and Reform PAC (funded by GTI, Verano, Curaleaf, Cresco, Trulieve, USCC) PAC
ToX Strategies LLC (Alex Bruesewitz's firm; Bruesewitz is a Trump ally/strategist)
Amount$300,000
When2025
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeStrategic-communications/pro-rescheduling advocacy payment; paid ~2 weeks before Bruesewitz publicly claimed 'no personal stake' in the rescheduling fight.Flow: Acquisition/InvestmentConfidence: High
FromAmerican Trade Association for Cannabis & Hemp (ATACH PAC) PAC
ToFederal political candidates and hemp regulatory advocacy
Amount$285,000
When2025
ClassificationHemphemp interest
PurposeFederal PAC and lobbying for hemp industry advocacy and regulatory framework; listed as Active Hybrid PAC supporting hemp-derived product legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromSmokers Outlet Organization
ToMichigan Proposal 1
Amount$250,000
When2018
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeMichigan tobacco and vape chain Smokers Outlet donated $250,000 supporting recreational marijuana legalization.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High
FromFarmaceuticalRX LLC (Columbus, OH cannabis operator) Company
ToCoalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (Ohio Issue 2)
Amount$250,000
When2023
ClassificationCannabislicensed-cannabis interest
PurposeLargest single industry-operator contribution to the Ohio Issue 2 legalization campaign.Flow: Political ContributionConfidence: High