George Soros and his Open Society Foundations have been significant supporters of drug policy reform, including efforts to legalize marijuana, but exact figures specifically earmarked for “legalization lobbyists” are not always broken out distinctly in public records. Instead, contributions are typically reported as broader donations to organizations advocating for drug policy reform, which includes lobbying as part of their activities.
Based on available information, Soros has personally funded drug reform efforts since the 1990s, with estimates suggesting he has contributed at least $80 million to the broader legalization movement since 1994. This figure comes from analyses of his foundation’s tax filings and includes support for various initiatives, not just lobbying. His Open Society Foundations have donated roughly $200 million globally to drug policy reform since 1994, with about $25 million specifically focused on marijuana-related reforms, including decriminalization, medical use, and full legalization. These funds have primarily flowed through organizations like the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), which Soros has supported with approximately $4 million annually in recent years.
The DPA, a leading advocate for ending the war on drugs, uses these funds for a mix of research, public education, and lobbying efforts, though the precise portion allocated to lobbying isn’t always specified. Additionally, Soros has supported the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), both of which engage in lobbying for legalization, though his donations to these groups are periodic rather than fixed annual amounts. For instance, in 2014, Soros teamed up with others to provide over 80% of the funding for a Florida medical marijuana ballot initiative, contributing significantly through the DPA.
Beyond these specifics, the Open Society Policy Center, a 501(c)(4) advocacy arm of the Foundations, has ramped up lobbying spending in recent years—tripling its budget between 2021 and 2022 to influence policy directly—but these efforts span multiple issues, not just drug legalization. While the Foundations’ total giving exceeds $32 billion since 1984, only a fraction ties directly to drug policy, and an even smaller slice to lobbying specifically for legalization.
So, while a precise dollar amount for “legalization lobbyists” alone isn’t fully isolated in the data, a reasonable estimate based on historical patterns suggests Soros and Open Society have channeled tens of millions—likely between $25 million and $80 million—into efforts that include lobbying for marijuana legalization over the past three decades, with the DPA’s $4 million annual contribution being a consistent anchor. The actual lobbying-specific figure could be lower, as these sums also cover advocacy, research, and grassroots campaigns. Without more granular public disclosures, this remains an educated approximation.
Source: https://x.com/i/grok/share/FyZ3V2g7xQXKuKO6Z3a21Jy5k