Marijuana Executive Donates to Democrats Amid Controversy
Graham Farrar, the president of Glass House Farms, has been directing significant funds toward Democratic candidates, including California Governor Gavin Newsom. Recently, Farrar’s company came under scrutiny following a raid by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which led to allegations involving child labor violations.
The protests that erupted during the raid involved acts of violence against federal agents, as noted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Currently, there’s a $50,000 reward for information related to an individual who allegedly shot at law enforcement during these conflicts.
From campaign finance records, it appears Farrar contributed $10,000 to Newsom’s 2018 campaign. Additionally, in July 2023, he gave $1,000 to Democratic Representative Greg Hart.
Executives in the marijuana sector have also supported the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee and California Representative Sardo Carvajal with their donations. Records from the Federal Election Commission reinforce this observation.
A spokesperson for Glass House Farms has not responded to inquiries from the media regarding this situation.
ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents raided two marijuana farms in Southern California, confirming that many illegal immigrants were detained, including minors potentially subjected to exploitation. An official statement highlighted that at least ten children were rescued from conditions that suggested forced labor and human trafficking.
CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott posted images of the children discovered at a facility, noting they were mostly 14-year-olds and unaccompanied. There seems to be a call for collaboration to combat child exploitation in the area.
In the aftermath of the raid, some Democratic politicians mistakenly believed the farms were involved in growing traditional crops. Representative Jimmy Gomez, for instance, speculated about strawberry production on the site.
Glass House Brands acknowledged the issuance of immigration warrants connected to their property, clarifying that they do not employ minors. They confirmed the warrant’s validity and noted their compliance with legal standards, while also stating they assist detained workers with legal representation.
The company reiterated its commitment to lawful employment practices, maintaining that it has never intentionally violated regulations or hired minors.
