The push to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III has become one of the most heavily funded corporate lobbying efforts in recent American history, with Florida-based marijuana company Trulieve leading the charge through unprecedented financial investments.

The Financial Architecture Behind Marijuana Rescheduling Lobbying

Trulieve’s commitment to marijuana rescheduling lobbying extends far beyond traditional advocacy. The company contributed $750,000 to President Trump’s inaugural committee through two separate payments in December 2024, according to records disclosed in April 2025. This represents just one element of a sophisticated, multi-pronged strategy.

“Of course, with the removal of [Internal Revenue Code, Section] 280E, it significantly changes the cash profile of the business and the ability to make investment decisions,” Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers explained in a Cannabis Business Times interview. The statement reveals the core financial motivation: eliminating Section 280E would allow marijuana companies to deduct business expenses, potentially saving millions in taxes.

Currently, Section 280E prohibits companies dealing in Schedule I substances from writing off ordinary business expenses, including advertising and marketing costs. A shift in cannabis classification would transform the industry’s financial landscape overnight.

State and Federal Campaigns Running in Parallel

Trulieve’s influence campaign operates on multiple levels simultaneously. In Florida, the company provided $141.9 million of the $149.7 million raised by the Smart & Safe Florida committee for a 2024 recreational marijuana ballot initiative. When the measure fell short of Florida’s 60% approval threshold in November 2024, Trulieve injected another $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2025 to sustain the effort for 2026.

Federal cannabis reclassification efforts have also received substantial backing. Trulieve spent $150,000 on federal lobbying in 2024, increasing to $262,500 in the first half of 2025. The company retained prominent firms including Ballard Partners and Advocus Partners, the latter connected to Republican networks.

Industry Consolidation Amplifies Lobbying Power

Kim Rivers’ influence extends through her leadership positions in industry organisations. As former Vice Chair of the National Cannabis Roundtable, Rivers helped shape policy advocacy for years. Her influence expanded when the National Cannabis Roundtable merged with the U.S. Cannabis Council in January 2025, creating the U.S. Cannabis Roundtable—a unified lobbying force representing multi-state marijuana operators.

Rivers now serves as Second Vice Chair of this consolidated organisation. Additionally, Trulieve belongs to the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform, an industry alliance focused specifically on marijuana rescheduling lobbying objectives.

High-Level Access and Controversial Payments

Beyond institutional lobbying, Trulieve has pursued direct access to decision-makers. Reports indicate that marijuana industry leaders, including Rivers, attended a $1 million-per-plate fundraiser at Bedminster in August 2025, where cannabis reclassification was allegedly discussed directly with President Trump as he considered Schedule III classification.

The company’s tactics have raised eyebrows in other quarters. The Daily Beast reported a leaked “counsel agreement” suggesting Trulieve offered consulting fees to former Representative Matt Gaetz—Trump’s initial attorney general nominee and a vocal marijuana advocate—tied to “administration-related” outcomes. Neither party confirmed the arrangement.

In another controversial move, Trulieve paid social media influencer Rogan O’Handley (known as DC Draino) over $160,000 for posting two supportive tweets about the Florida ballot initiative.

The Broader Influencer Network

Whilst specific payments beyond O’Handley remain undisclosed, numerous conservative influencers emerged to support marijuana rescheduling lobbying efforts, including Alex Bruesewitz, Bruce Lavelle, and Gunther Eagleman. Most documented spending went to Republican-aligned consulting and media firms: Ax Media received $87 million, Axiom Strategies $16.5 million, Vanguard Field Strategies $14.6 million, Targeted Victory $4.5 million, Remington Research $2.5 million, and WPA Intelligence $1 million.

What Section 280E Reform Means for Public Health

The elimination of Section 280E restrictions through cannabis reclassification would fundamentally alter marijuana companies’ operational capacity. Beyond immediate tax savings, these firms would gain the ability to deduct advertising and marketing expenses—potentially flooding communities with promotional campaigns for a substance linked to mental health concerns, impaired driving, and youth access issues.

Trulieve frames its advocacy using language around “better research” and “social equity.” However, the company’s own statements reveal the primary motivation: dramatically improved profit margins and expanded market reach.

Corporate Influence on Drug Policy

Whether federal authorities ultimately approve cannabis reclassification remains uncertain. What stands beyond dispute is the unprecedented scale of corporate resources deployed to influence drug policy decisions that will affect millions of families and communities.

The marijuana rescheduling lobbying campaign demonstrates how concentrated corporate interests can shape public health policy through strategic donations, professional advocacy networks, and carefully cultivated political relationships. As one observer noted, “if rescheduling goes through, it would be because of them.”

The coming months will reveal whether America’s drug classification system serves public health interests or corporate balance sheets. Trulieve’s massive investment suggests the company views the potential returns as worth every penny spent on marijuana rescheduling lobbying.

Source: The Drug Report