It’s a pitch to join the organization he’s talking about but makes some pertinant points
For years, the Cannabis and Hemp industries have pushed for federal legalization, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into state ballot initiatives and lobbying efforts. Yet, despite strong public support and industry growth, progress at the federal level has stalled. The 2024 elections have made one thing abundantly clear: without a coordinated and strategic political investment, the Cannabis and Hemp industries will remain at the mercy of unfriendly lawmakers, restrictive regulations, and economic instability.
The time for a new approach is now. The Change Maker Initiative, launched by The Future – Today & Tomorrow, is a bold plan to secure favorable federal and state policies by transforming the political landscape. Instead of passively waiting for lawmakers to act, the industry must proactively elect the leaders who will champion its interests—just as the Crypto industry has successfully done. Without this shift in strategy, Cannabis and Hemp could follow the same path as the once-booming video rental industry, which collapsed due to a failure to adapt to market and regulatory changes.
The Threat of Industry Decline: Learning from the Video Rental Industry
In the 1980s and 1990s, video rental stores thrived, reaching a peak revenue of $9.8 billion by 1990 (adjusted for inflation: $21.6 billion in today’s dollars). Yet, as new technology emerged, industry leaders failed to secure their long-term survival. The lack of regulatory and business model adaptation left them vulnerable to market shifts, and today, the industry is virtually extinct, with an estimated market size of only $641.4 million in 2024.
The Cannabis and Hemp industries face a similar risk. Without federal legalization and regulatory stability, businesses will struggle with banking restrictions, limited access to capital, and fragmented state laws. If the industry fails to secure a foothold in Washington, its growth will be stunted, and opportunities for expansion—including interstate commerce, international markets, and federally supported medical research—will be lost.
Why Traditional Approaches Have Failed
Since 2020, the Cannabis industry has invested over $219 million in state-level ballot initiatives, pushing for legalization at the state level. While this strategy has achieved some victories, it has also led to costly failures. The 2024 election cycle demonstrated that:
- The presidential election did not produce a clear pro-Cannabis administration.
- Congress is now controlled by an anti-Cannabis majority, blocking key legislation like the MORE Act and the SAFER Banking Act.
- State ballot initiatives are increasingly expensive and less effective—Florida’s 2024 cannabis legalization initiative, for example, failed despite over $150 million in industry investment.
This fragmented approach has wasted time, money, and political capital. Instead of focusing on state-by-state battles, the industry must shift its strategy to federal elections—electing a Congress and President who will pass comprehensive Cannabis reform.
A New Strategy: The Change Maker Initiative
The Change Maker Initiative provides a roadmap for the Cannabis and Hemp industries to secure their future. Inspired by the Crypto industry’s success in shaping policy, this initiative focuses on:
- Electing Pro-Cannabis Lawmakers – Shifting political investment from state ballot measures to federal elections.
- Strategic Political Spending – Raising and deploying $150 million per year to influence key races.
- Industry-Wide Coordination – Uniting corporate cannabis businesses, social equity entrepreneurs, suppliers, trade associations, and advocacy groups under a common strategy.
- Building Long-Term Political Influence – Ensuring that Cannabis-friendly lawmakers hold power beyond just one election cycle.
The High Stakes for Cannabis & Hemp Businesses
For business owners, this is not just a political issue—it’s an economic survival issue. If the industry does not take control of its future, it will face:
- Increased regulatory uncertainty
- Restricted access to banking and investment capital
- Potential legal challenges targeting minority-owned and social equity businesses
- Continued federal prohibition, keeping the industry in legal limbo
The Change Maker Initiative is the only viable path forward. It offers the opportunity to not only protect existing businesses but also expand into new markets and establish Cannabis and Hemp as cornerstone industries in the U.S. economy.
The Time to Act is Now
The 2024 elections exposed the urgent need for a new strategy. Cannabis and Hemp industry leaders must recognize that lobbying alone is not enough—real change requires direct political engagement. The Crypto industry has proven that with the right investment and coordination, an industry can reshape its regulatory landscape. Now, it’s time for Cannabis and Hemp to do the same.
Join The Future – Today & Tomorrow in building the future of the industry. The opportunity is there—will we seize it, or will we let history repeat itself?
