According to newly updated federal campaign finance records, some of the largest marijuana companies in the United States donated a combined $11.5 million in June to America First Agriculture Action Inc., an agriculture-focused political action committee closely tied to President Donald Trump.
This recent fundraising blitz brings the total known contributions from cannabis businesses and industry-aligned PACs to Trump-linked political committees to at least $15.05 million.
The June Mega-Donors Four major cannabis players led the recent wave of donations, each contributing $2.5 million to the agriculture PAC:
- Trulieve Inc.
- Curaleaf Inc.
- Verano Holdings LLC
- Vision Management Services LLC (a subsidiary of Green Thumb Industries)
Additional six-figure contributions came from Arboretum Bidco LLC (tied to AYR Wellness Inc.), which gave $1 million, and Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc., which contributed $500,000.
The Trump Connection The link between the agriculture PAC and Trump’s political network comes down to its leadership. Charles Gantt, the treasurer for America First Agriculture Action, also serves as the treasurer for Trump’s primary super PAC, MAGA Inc.
MAGA Inc. has directly benefited from the cannabis industry as well, having previously accepted $2.05 million from the American Rights and Reform PAC, a cannabis-industry-backed committee (which is itself treasurer-led by Curaleaf executive Matt Harrell). Additionally, Trulieve and Curaleaf previously donated a combined $1 million to support Trump’s 2024 inaugural committee.
The Policy Context: Rescheduling Cannabis The surge in financial support arrives just weeks after the Department of Justice formally advanced the process of rescheduling marijuana at the federal level.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump voiced support for the reform, culminating in an executive order late last year that immediately moved state-licensed medical cannabis and FDA-approved marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
Pro-Trump Advertising Blitz Pro-Trump political groups have been actively capitalizing on his cannabis policies. America First Agriculture Action recently launched ads targeting the Washington, D.C. area, urging the president to “stack another win” through broader rescheduling to support jobs and economic growth.
A similarly named nonprofit, America First Agriculture Inc., ran ads following Trump’s executive order praising the move. The ads argued that reclassification would “destroy the cartel’s black market” while expanding medical research and ensuring veterans and seniors get the care they need. Meanwhile, industry-aligned PACs have previously run attack ads criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of marijuana policy, seemingly attempting to push Trump to embrace even broader legalization efforts.
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