Legalize America is the first cannabis-focused Super PAC

The US Cannabis Council (USCC) announced on June 28 that it has formed Legalize America, the United States’ first Super Political Action Committee (or Super PAC) specifically dedicated to cannabis reform. A super PAC is an “independent expenditure-only political committee” that can receive unlimited contributions from various sources “to fund independent expenditures and other independent political activities,” according to the Federal Elections Commission.

“We are pleased to announce that we have launched Legalize America, the country’s first Super PAC dedicated to cannabis reform. The new independent spending group will work to raise the profile of cannabis as a national issue in the 2024 election and beyond,” the USCC wrote on Twitter.

Legalize America also explains how it intends to proceed. “We are committed to working with advocates, industry experts and community leaders to develop policies that support the legalization of cannabis in a thoughtful and responsible manner,” the website reads. “Our primary focus is to advance legalization at the federal level, eradicate records of nonviolent cannabis crimes, and ensure the benefits of legalization reach all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.”

Legalize America has garnered the support of numerous cannabis companies with the intention of raising awareness of cannabis reform in next year’s elections and into the future. Legalize America Chairman Matt Harrell, who also holds the position of Vice President of Government Relations at Curaleaf, explains what Legalize America is trying to achieve. “Legalize America is committed to ending cannabis prohibition and advancing efforts toward elimination and responsible use,” Harrell said. “We will use all available tools – including scorecards, recommendations and targeted independent spending campaigns – to advance cannabis reform with the goal of creating a prosperous and equitable cannabis industry.”

David Culver, senior vice president of public affairs at the USCC, told Market Watch that Congress is not doing its job of reflecting the will of the people. “Congress is stuck in the past,” Culver said. “They are way behind what the Americans want. It’s not uncommon for Congress to be a lagging indicator.”

US Secretary of Legalization Pete Meachum, also senior director of government affairs at Cronos Group, said action is needed now to push legalization forward. “We believe the 2024 presidential election will be a pivotal moment in the fight to end cannabis prohibition,” Meachum said. “We are now laying the groundwork for using advertising, grassroots engagement, canvassing and events to keep cannabis front and center throughout the campaign.”

Legalize America added that it plans to work with “high-profile figures and brands” to raise funds and support reform efforts. It also plans to work with community pharmacies to ask consumers to “round up” donations.

The USCC membership list currently includes 38 companies including Ayr Wellness, Cresco Labs, Green Thumb Industries, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Vicente LLP, Wana Brands and more. It is led by Chairman Jessica Billingsley of Akerna, Vice Chairman Dan Pabon of Schwazze, Meachum as Treasurer and Chairman Emeritus Christian Sederberg of Vicente Sederberg LLP.

News of the 2024 election continues to take shape, with candidates voting for or against cannabis and other psychedelic substances. Last week, current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he would not decriminalize cannabis if elected President. “I don’t think we would do that,” he replied to a person representing military veterans who could benefit from decriminalization. “If you do something with it, it could be a good night right now. You could die from just taking it, so I think that’s problematic.”

In June, however, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie declared that if elected he would partially end the war on drugs. At a CNN town hall, he answered a question from a mother whose son was jailed for fentanyl use and asked what he would do “about the war on drugs that has apparently failed so miserably.”

“Stop it,” Christie said. “I want to focus on the treatment. Look, your son — and I don’t want to pretend to know him, but I know a lot of people have been through that. And I had some dear friends who lost their lives because of it. He has a disease like heart disease, diabetes, cancer. It’s a disease and it can be treated.”

Back in December 2024, musician Afroman announced that he was also running for president in 2024 with the intention of legalizing cannabis. “In the course of human events, there comes a time when change must be made,” said Afroman’s campaign manager. “That time is now. Americans are suffering and the status quo is no longer acceptable.”