Cannabis and Trump: Why the Industry Remains Wary But Hopeful

Cannabis and Trump: Why the Industry Remains Wary But Hopeful

With 4/20 just around the corner, many cannabis entrepreneurs are lighting up with caution, not celebration. While the cannabis community continues to grow stronger across the U.S., political uncertainty still looms—especially when it comes to former President Donald Trump’s stance on marijuana.

During his first term, Trump upheld federal prohibition but notably refrained from cracking down on states with legalized cannabis. Fast forward to 2024, and he even endorsed a Florida ballot measure aiming to legalize recreational marijuana. It's this back-and-forth that has cannabis insiders treading carefully.

Raul Molina, co-founder and COO of Mint Cannabis, believes the industry has grown too large to face serious rollbacks. "We do not expect further gains under this administration. However, you never know. We will keep pushing!" he said.

Legal expert Paula Savchenko agrees that cannabis likely won’t be a priority for Trump’s team. Many of his appointees have historically opposed legalization, and the administration has yet to signal serious federal reform.

Even beyond legality, Trump's trade policies—especially tariffs—pose a challenge for cannabis businesses. Barron Lutz of Nasha Hash explains that hardware like vape cartridges, often sourced from China, could see significant price hikes due to import tariffs.

Still, some see opportunity. Nishant Reddy, CEO of A Golden State, argues that targeting a fully American industry would be a counterproductive move for an administration focused on economic growth and job creation. “Cannabis is one of the few sectors that can't outsource or export legally—every dollar supports American workers,” he said.

Others speculate that Trump’s economic motivations could actually drive progress. Derek Chase of Flora + Bast points out that if Trump aims to reduce income tax, legalizing cannabis might become an attractive revenue stream for the federal government.

But as excitement builds, advocates like MacKenzie McClain Hill of LumiBloom urge caution. “Any rollback would hit hardest in communities already hurt by the war on drugs,” she said. “These gains are fragile, especially for women and people of color in the industry. We must protect them.”

Whether Trump leads with prohibition or profit, one thing is clear—the cannabis industry is watching closely, preparing to defend its progress and push for more.