Marijuana Companies Donated $11.5 Million To Trump-Linked PAC Last Month, New Campaign Finance Records Show

Some of the U.S.’s largest marijuana companies donated a collective $11.5 million last month to an agriculture-focused political committee that shares the same treasurer as President Donald Trump’s own super PAC, according to newly updated federal records.

That brings the total amount of contributions from cannabis businesses or an industry-linked political action committee to Trump-linked PACs to at least $15.05 million, according to a review of Federal Election Commission filings.

In June, four marijuana companies—Trulieve Inc., Curaleaf Inc., Verano Holdings LLC and Vision Management Services LLC, which is a subsidiary of Green Thumb Industries—each gave $2.5 million to America First Agriculture Action Inc.

Additionally, Arboretum Bidco LLC,  a holding company tied to AYR Wellness Inc., contributed $1 million to the agriculture group last month, and Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc. also chipped in $500,000.

Notably, the treasurer of the agriculture PAC, Charles Gantt, is the same person named as treasurer of Trump’s political committee, MAGA Inc., which has separately received $2.05 million in donations from a cannabis-industry-backed committee, the American Rights and Reform PAC, Inc.

Last year, that cannabis industry PAC additionally gave a total of $1.5 million to the agriculture PAC.

Earlier FEC records also previously showed that Trulieve and Curaleaf contributed a total of $1 million to support Trump’s inaugural committee following his election in 2024. Curaleaf executive Matt Harrell is listed as treasurer of the American Rights and Reform PAC.

The latest contributions from the cannabis companies to the Trump-linked agriculture PAC came weeks after the Department of Justice announced it is moving forward with the process of federally rescheduling marijuana, a reform that Trump backed during the 2024 campaign and then issued an executive order on late last year.

Under an action announced by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in April, marijuana products regulated by a state medical cannabis license immediately moved from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III, as did any marijuana products that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A hearing that concluded this week is considering broader cannabis rescheduling, including for recreational products.

Last August, America First Agriculture Action Inc. released an ad highlighting Trump’s endorsement of the reform on the campaign trail.

“Under President Trump, America is back. Trump’s delivered the largest tax cut in history—putting more money in our pockets and restored America’s economic dominance,” the ad, which is being targeted at multiple zip codes throughout Washington, D.C., says. “Promises made, promises kept.”

“Now it’s time to fulfill another promise from President Trump and reschedule cannabis, which supports over 400,000 jobs and creates billions of dollars in economic growth,” the PAC’s ad says. “Reschedule cannabis and stack another win, Mr. President.”

Shortly after Trump signed his cannabis executive order in December, the similarly named nonprofit America First Agriculture Inc. released an ad applauding the move, arguing that it will “destroy” the illicit market and support seniors and military veterans who could benefit from cannabis.

“Trump delivered a secure border, unleashed American energy and provided the largest tax cut in American history. Now Trump has delivered again by rescheduling cannabis, which was classified as more dangerous than fentanyl,” it said.

“Trump’s action will destroy the cartel’s illicit black market, expand medical research and ensure seniors and veterans safely receive the care they need,” the ad continued. “Thank President Trump for delivering on another America First promise.”

The cannabis industry-backed American Rights and Reform PAC separately released ads in May that attacked the marijuana policy record of President Joe Biden, whose administration initiated the cannabis rescheduling process that is now underway, in an apparent attempt to push Trump to go further on the issue.

Meanwhile, now that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) hearing on cannabis rescheduling has completed testimony, participants are expected to file briefs detailing their closing arguments. After that, the DEA judge overseeing the process will issue a recommendation to the agency’s administrator, who can accept or reject it.

The federal marijuana reform is also being challenged by opponents through litigation, however.

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