Regulated marijuana is a reality in more than half the country – and federal cannabis reform efforts have advanced further than ever in Washington, D.C. – thanks in large part to ballot initiative campaigns largely funded, organized and run by nonprofit advocacy groups.
OG Article: here
View our Fair Use Policy: here
Legal marijuana is now a reality in over half of the U.S., and efforts to reform federal cannabis laws are making serious strides in Washington, D.C. Much of this progress is thanks to advocacy groups like the Drug Policy Alliance and the Marijuana Policy Project. But, for this year’s marijuana legalization campaigns in Florida and North Dakota, those familiar groups are missing in action. Instead, the campaigns are largely backed by cannabis companies themselves, and critics say this shift may favor big businesses over the grassroots, free-access ideals that initially drove the movement.
Changing Times for Cannabis Reform
What’s happening in Florida and North Dakota is part of a broader trend. Over time, the responsibility for pushing marijuana reform has shifted from nonprofit advocacy groups to the companies that stand to gain the most from legalization. Meanwhile, many philanthropic donors who previously supported legalization have shifted their focus to other areas, like psychedelics.
The nonprofit groups that once led the charge are also facing financial challenges, which makes it harder for them to stay involved at the same level. Ironically, their past successes have made donors feel less urgency, even though cannabis is still illegal in major states like Texas and remains federally prohibited.
Passing the Torch
Back in 2012, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) was instrumental in the campaign to pass Colorado’s Amendment 64, which legalized recreational cannabis in the state. More recently, MPP contributed both time and money to North Dakota's 2022 legalization effort, as well as Ohio’s 2023 recreational marijuana campaign. However, MPP and similar organizations haven’t contributed to this year’s campaigns in Florida and North Dakota.
Brian Vicente, chair of MPP’s board, explained that financial constraints are partly to blame. With Florida’s campaign raising nearly $83 million, he said it’s a scale that “a philanthropist or a nonprofit could not cover.” Still, Vicente emphasized that nonprofits remain relevant, bringing experience and voter credibility to the table.
Industry-Backed Campaigns
In North Dakota, the current marijuana legalization campaign, called New Economic Frontier, has raised $226,500, mostly from licensed medical marijuana businesses. Pure Dakota, which operates dispensaries in the state, contributed over $186,000, while Curaleaf, a multi-state cannabis operator, chipped in another $40,000. The measure, known as Measure 5, would establish a tightly regulated framework for adult-use cannabis sales by 2025.
This year marks the third time North Dakota voters are considering marijuana legalization, following a failed effort in 2022. Campaign chair Steve Bakken said the current push is "grassroots," driven by local residents and businesses, but he’d welcome support from nonprofits if they were interested.
Florida’s Big Money Campaign
Meanwhile, Florida's Amendment 3 campaign, Smart & Safe Florida, has become the most expensive marijuana legalization effort in history, with $82.8 million raised so far. The biggest contributor by far is Trulieve, a Florida-based company with over 200 medical marijuana locations, which has put in $75.3 million. If passed, Amendment 3 would legalize adult-use cannabis but wouldn’t allow home grows or include a social equity program, leaving those decisions to the state legislature.
Matthew Schweich, MPP’s interim executive director, said his group offered to help the Smart & Safe campaign with their expertise but hasn’t heard back. Despite this, Schweich said he believes the campaign is on a clear path to victory.
Divisions in the Cannabis Movement
However, not everyone is on board with Florida’s Amendment 3. Some cannabis interests, such as hemp operators taking advantage of the THCA loophole, are opposing it. This highlights a growing divide in the cannabis movement, where some reforms, like listing on U.S. stock exchanges, mainly benefit big cannabis companies, while others, such as federal rescheduling, would help the entire industry.
Shaleen Title, an attorney and former cannabis regulator in Massachusetts, warned that as cannabis companies focus more on profits, public perception could sour. She pointed to a recent Gallup poll showing a slim majority of Americans now view marijuana negatively. According to Title, as legalization efforts shift from consumers and patients to profit-driven executives, public support may dwindle.
The Role of Nonprofits
Despite the growing role of for-profit companies in legalization efforts, Vicente believes nonprofits still play a crucial role. He said that companies writing the laws should consider including provisions for social equity and criminal justice reform, as this would increase their chances of passing.
Komentarai