Federal Grand Jury Probes St. Louis Cannabis Giant Over Alleged Illegal Campaign Contributions

A federal grand jury has launched an investigation into Organic Remedies MO, a major St. Louis-based cannabis firm formerly known as Good Day Farm Missouri. The probe centers on alleged illegal campaign contributions, a serious charge confirmed by the company's CEO, Mitch Meyers, who stated the firm is fully cooperating with federal authorities.

The investigation focuses on contributions reportedly made to two specific entities: The Coalition for Patient Care, a campaign committee, and Missourians for Patient Care, a political action committee (PAC).

While Missouri state law prohibits direct corporate contributions to candidate committees, PACs are permitted to accept corporate funding. However, the crux of the federal inquiry appears to lie in the alleged nature or source of these contributions, potentially indicating a circumvention of campaign finance regulations.

This isn't the first time Organic Remedies MO has faced scrutiny.

The company previously drew attention for issues surrounding its initial application scoring during the competitive licensing process and subsequent changes in ownership. This latest federal inquiry marks a significant escalation for a firm that has rapidly ascended to become one of the state's most prominent cannabis operators, boasting multiple dispensaries, cultivation facilities, and manufacturing plants across Missouri.

Records indicate that The Coalition for Patient Care, the campaign committee central to the investigation, was managed by Joy Sweeney, a registered lobbyist.

Another figure with ties to the company, Lyndall Fraker, who previously served as the state's medical marijuana director for the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), joined Organic Remedies MO as chief corporate officer shortly after leaving his public post. Both Sweeney and Fraker have been notable figures within the nascent Missouri cannabis landscape, adding layers to the ongoing federal scrutiny.

The burgeoning Missouri cannabis industry, which has seen immense growth and generated substantial revenue, has also been plagued by numerous legal challenges, lawsuits, and allegations of impropriety since its inception.

This federal grand jury investigation into a leading company like Organic Remedies MO underscores the continued regulatory complexities and the heightened vigilance over financial practices within this rapidly evolving sector.

As the investigation proceeds, the spotlight remains firmly on the intricacies of campaign finance within Missouri's cannabis market and the potential ramifications for one of its largest players.