In a bold political and cultural move, a coalition of over 25 high-profile athletes, entertainers, and advocates—including Mike Tyson, Kevin Durant, Allen Iverson, Wyclef Jean, and Ricky Williams—has signed an open letter to former President Donald J. Trump, urging him to lead on federal cannabis reform.
The letter, dated June 27, 2025, encourages Trump to follow through on his recent public statements supporting marijuana rescheduling, and to pair this effort with sweeping clemency for nonviolent cannabis offenders and federal banking reform for legal businesses.
“We fully support your vision for sensible, evidence-based marijuana policies that reflect today’s societal realities and promote safe, regulated access,” the coalition wrote. “Rescheduling marijuana will not only correct outdated federal policy—it will unlock research, innovation, and investment, and bring fairness to businesses and consumers nationwide.”
The group specifically backed Trump’s call to move cannabis to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act—a shift that would significantly reduce penalties, increase access to research, and offer tax relief for businesses operating in legal markets. The current Schedule I status, the letter notes, remains “scientifically outdated and economically detrimental.”
But the letter doesn’t stop at scheduling.
The coalition makes a passionate case for mass clemency for nonviolent cannabis offenders still serving sentences, calling it a “moral and economic necessity.” The signees praised Trump’s past pardons, including that of music producer Weldon Angelos, and contrasted it with President Biden’s failure to act on similar clemency promises.
“Your willingness to stand against injustice offers hope to thousands of families,” the group told Trump. “Unlike your predecessor, you were willing to grant clemency to marijuana offenders… Today, people continue to serve lengthy federal sentences for conduct that is now legal in most states—which makes their continued incarceration not only cruel but absurd.”
On the economic front, the letter calls attention to the legal cannabis industry’s lack of banking access, noting that despite generating over $35 billion annually and employing more than 450,000 Americans, many state-legal operators are still denied basic financial services.
“Cannabis businesses face unjust barriers to banking services, and their employees struggle to obtain mortgages from traditional lenders,” the coalition stated. “We support your commitment to work with Congress to pass common-sense laws, including safe banking.”
The list of signatories includes major names from the NBA, NFL, boxing, and music—underscoring the broad cultural reach of this effort. Alongside Tyson, Durant, Iverson, and Wyclef, the letter is backed by Stephen Jackson, Chris Webber, Jim McMahon, Lil Pump, Adin Ross, Matt Barnes, Al Harrington, and many others. Several are also cannabis entrepreneurs and reform advocates, including Marvin Washington and Kyle Turley.
Throughout the letter, Trump is portrayed as a potential disruptor-in-chief—someone who could break the political stalemate on cannabis reform where others have fallen short.
“As a disruptor of the status quo, your leadership on cannabis would be historic,” the coalition wrote. “We are ready to help you push for bold changes that align with the will of the American people and the realities of today’s economy.”
The letter was coordinated by Project Champion, a reform group focused on clemency and policy equity, and copied to Alice Johnson, Trump’s long-time partner in criminal justice reform.
With the 2024 election cycle heating up and cannabis reform polling at all-time highs across party lines, this open appeal signals a new front in the push for federal change—where pop culture, sports, and politics collide.
Whether Trump will take action remains to be seen. But if he does, he’ll have some of the biggest names in the game behind him.
Coallition includes: Mike Tyson, Wyclef Jean, Kevin Durant, Allen Iverson, Ricky Williams, Jim McMahon, Stephen Jackson, Chris Webber, Lil Pump, Adin Ross, J.R. Smith, Al Harrington, Matt Barnes, John Salley, Roy Jones Jr., Dez Bryant, Marvin Washington, and others.
