How donors, access and polls led Trump to reclassify marijuana

President Donald Trump’s move to sign an executive order on Thursday that eases federal restrictions on marijuana and clears the way for a Medicare pilot program covering CBD caps the marijuana industry’s coordinated, year-long effort that combines traditional lobbying, big political donations, data-driven messaging and direct access to the president’s inner circle, industry insiders told CNBC.

Despite the GOP’s longstanding opposition to loosening drug laws — including a small wave of bills from lawmakers seeking to tighten rules after the executive order — industry advocates claimed victory. They see the order as a success in reframing marijuana as a pro-business policy rather than a social problem, resulting in a president famous for his sobriety.

“I’ve never had this many people flock to me on the issue of reclassifying marijuana,” Trump said at a signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Thursday.

According to many insiders, three figures emerged as the main architects of this policy shift; They include the CEO of a marijuana company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, who requested anonymity to speak candidly. Key players were: Howard KesslerPalm Beach billionaire and longtime friend of the president; Kim RiversCEO of cannabis giant Trulieve; and Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s longtime pollster, the people said.

Kessler, known for pioneering Affinity credit cards, has been in Trump’s orbit since at least 2005. Trump’s wedding Melania Trump and it turns out Mar-a-Lago And state dinners.

Kessler, a leukemia survivor, began championing the medical benefits of marijuana for seniors in 2019. Commonwealth Project to further the cause. Trump made a post in September. Commonwealth Project video on Real Social He said CBD coverage is “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”

Other prominent members of the Trump administration noted Kessler’s influence on Thursday.

During the signing ceremony, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said, “We wouldn’t be here today” without Kessler.

Head of Research Dr. Mehmet Öz said, “May God bless you for causing us trouble.” Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servicesjoked Kessler in the Oval Office. Öz added that Kessler promised to finally stop calling the president on the issue after the resolution was signed.

Kessler did not respond to a request for comment.

The White House said Trump’s executive order would open access to new treatments.

“The presence of so many leaders from law enforcement and veterans groups at the Oval Office signing ceremony is indicative of how President Trump continues to push boundaries to support our nation’s heroes,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. he said.

Although Wiles is not Trulieve’s registered lobbyist, he had previously worked for Trulieve. Ballard Partnersa Florida lobbying firm that represents the company.

“Them [the Trump administration] Speaking to CNBC’s “Fast Monday” on Thursday night, Rivers added that he interpreted the White House’s language as a sign that the administration intends to rein in a chaotic market rather than expand it unchecked.

“Millions of Americans use medical marijuana,” Rivers said. “The President is very clear that he wants people to be able to access safe, regulated, researched products in controlled environments.”

Rivers attended two pre-inaugural events, including a dinner for Vice President J.D. Vance, and reportedly attended a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at Trump’s New Jersey golf club in August, where he encouraged him to reclassify marijuana for the first time in the Wall Street Journal. reported.

Trulieve’s campaign spending also supported Trump. Federal Election Commission records show Trulieve gave $750,000 to Trump’s inauguration committee and MAGA Inc. It shows he donated $250,000 to his super PAC.

The company reportedly played a key role in ensuring Trump’s security support for a florida ballot initiative Although the attempt failed, Florida Division of Elections records show Trulieve spent more than $100 million on the election.

The president also received data from the pollster. Fabrizio, who has his own ties to the subject.

American Rights and ReformFabrizio, a marijuana-backed super PAC, paid a six-figure payment to the firm Fabrizio, which conducted a poll that found broad voter support for rescheduling, according to FEC filings.

During the signing ceremony Thursday, Trump referenced Fabrizio’s data multiple times, noting a poll released in March that showed broad voter support for easing restrictions. data showed Young voters between the ages of 18 and 34 were found to be in the majority supporting the reform, with nearly 80%.

son of Fabrizio A.J. FabrizioHe is also a prominent figure in the cannabis industry and a CEO who says he turned to medical marijuana to treat his own epilepsy.

AJ Fabrizio has created his own hemp extract brand. IVXX – Terra Tech Corp., a publicly traded cannabis company that owns dispensaries such as The Green Door in San Francisco and Blum in Oakland, California. A blended oil line derived from carbon dioxide, specially produced for

Inside interviewsAJ said he went from skepticism to defensiveness after marijuana stopped his seizures. He also compared the future of marijuana to “Standard Oil.” in a recent podcast interview Just as Rockefeller transformed oil byproducts into a petrochemical empire, the cannabis industry is poised to revolutionize materials, medicine, and nutrition.