We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

Thanks, Sean Parker: Calif. Prop 64 Outraising Opponents 60-to-1

Gage PeakePublished on September 14, 2016 · Last updated July 28, 2020
Sean Parker, Chairman of of Causes and a Managing Partner, Founder's Fund, speaks at Web. 2.0 Conference in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. Parker was co-founder of Napster. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

As polls indicate a widening lead for Proposition 64, California’s adult-use legalization initiative, public disclosure documents reveal an immense 60-to-1 advantage for proponents in the funding race. As of September 1,advocates for Prop 64 have raised $11,752,943. Opponents have reported only $229,385.

That funding advantage seems to be paying off, as the most recent poll shows Prop 64 leading, 71 percent in favor to 26 percent opposed.

A scan of the campaign financing database reveals some interesting names. Napster founder and former Facebook president Sean Parker heads the money list, with $2,316,579 donated to the initiative. Drug Policy Action, the PAC arm of the Drug Policy Alliance, has donated $1.75 million to the cause.  The Drug Policy Alliance, an educational nonprofit organization run by Ethan Nadelmann, has been supported over the years by billionaire philanthropist George Soros, among others.

Prop 64’s opponents, so far, are limited to one group: No on Prop. 64, sponsored by the California Public Safety Institute. The group has amassed $229,385 in the fight to keep cannabis illegal. The California Public Safety Institute is a group founded by John Lovell, a Sacramento-based lobbyist who does a lot of work on behalf of law enforcement unions and trade associations.

A majority of the contributions to Lovell’s group were made by individuals, organizations and associations relating to law enforcement. Also contributing to the effort to stop legalization were Kevin Sabet’s group Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) and the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council. SAM Action and the California Teamsters Council were the two top donors, with both combining to donate around $90,000. The California State Sheriff’s Association, and the California  Association of Highway Patrolmen also donated to the opposition, with the sheriffs group donating  $10,000 and the highway patrolmen kicking in $12,500.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
Californialegalizationpolitics
Gage Peake
Gage Peake
Gage Peake is a former staff writer for Leafly, where he specialized in data journalism, sports, and breaking news coverage. He's a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
View Gage Peake's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.