Highsman Founder Ricky Williams headed to Washington today to meet with members of President Donald Trump's administration to advocate for cannabis industry reforms, specifically rescheduling cannabis and advancing the SAFER Banking Act.
The meeting included multiple officials, including representatives from the Agriculture Department, Department of Energy, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“When I left the NFL, people questioned my choices," Williams said in a statement to Cannabis Equipment News. "But for me, cannabis was part of my journey to healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m not alone in that experience. Veterans, cancer patients, and everyday Americans are all looking for safer, plant-based alternatives—and right now, federal law stands in the way."
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration this week confirmed that cannabis rescheduling from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) remains in a holding pattern. Rescheduling was sparked by the Biden administration, but a judge paused hearings on the issue about six months ago.
"Rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III isn’t about politics—it’s about freedom. It’s about empowering small businesses, delivering tax relief, and creating jobs that count," Williams added. "It’s about aligning federal law with what’s already happening in 38 states. And most importantly, it’s about giving people safe, legal access to medicine that works. This reform is smart, it’s strategic, and it’s long overdue."
The SAFER Banking Act would provide financial services to legal cannabis businesses. According to the American Bar Association, the act would give "safe harbor" protections for financial institutions that serve the industry, improving access to banking, lending, and insurance services without fear of federal penalties.
"Rescheduling helps us build a stronger economy, protect our communities, and ensure this industry benefits all Americans—including communities of color that have historically been left behind. I’m proud to stand here today to say: this is how we put America First,” Williams said.
The SAFER Banking Act has broad bipartisan support.
"This marks a pivotal moment for the cannabis industry, and it's exciting to see Ricky Williams at the forefront of this movement in Washington," said Reid Stewart, CEO of Frozen Fields, a CPG company focused on hemp-derived cannabis. Stewart and the former NFL running back merged their companies late last year to form Top Seed Inc.
Stewart added, "While rescheduling cannabis is just one step in Highsman's mission of normalizing the plant, it represents a significant leap forward, especially by removing the unfair financial burden imposed by Section 280E and potentially opening up broader access to capital markets. With additional progress on initiatives like SAFE Banking and, ultimately, legislation akin to the STATES Act, we could gain the momentum needed to truly enable the cannabis industry to thrive."
David Craig, chief marketing officer of Illicit Gardens, a cultivator and manufacturer serving the Missouri, New Jersey, and New York markets, added, "These reforms would finally allow companies like ours to operate on a level financial playing field, access basic banking services, and reinvest in our communities without the constant cloud of federal uncertainty. Ricky Williams taking this message directly to Washington shows how urgent and mainstream this issue has become. It's time for the government to catch up with the will of the people and the realities of the marketplace."
Sara Gullickson, CEO of The Cannabis Business Advisors, said, "This kind of high-level engagement is a clear sign that the industry's voice is finally being heard. As someone who's spent over a decade navigating cannabis licensing and regulation across the country, I've seen how federal ambiguity holds businesses back. Rescheduling and banking reform are long overdue, and they're critical for ensuring a stable, transparent, and inclusive marketplace."
Jason Vedadi, CEO of Phoenix, Arizona-based Story Cannabis, sees the newfound momentum at a federal level as an "incredibly encouraging sign for the future of the cannabis industry."
"Rescheduling and banking reform would unlock new opportunities for innovation, investment, and access, benefiting businesses and consumers alike," Vedadi said. "Operators have done the hard work of building this industry despite outdated barriers, and it's exciting to see real progress toward a more supportive framework."
This story is developing and will be updated as new information becomes available.
