Anaheim Cannabis Push Collapsed After FBI Probe

Records show $310K flowed into a chamber task force, but federal filings say some money was diverted.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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An effort to allow retail cannabis in Anaheim unraveled into a federal case after money meant to bankroll a chamber-run task force was rerouted and flagged by investigators. Two cannabis clients paid roughly $310,000 into the push in 2019-20, but the ordinance never passed and the issue remains unsettled. The fallout has landed in federal court and left would-be retailers and city officials dealing with a political and legal mess.

Why it matters

The collapse of Anaheim's cannabis push highlights the risks and challenges cities face when trying to regulate and profit from the emerging legal marijuana industry. The allegations of mishandled funds and federal investigations have eroded public trust and left the city's cannabis plans in limbo.

The details

Records show that From the Earth and Mr. Nice Guy Enterprises contributed about $310,000 to a chamber-led "cannabis task force," but investigators say some of those transfers never followed ordinary contracting channels. Former Anaheim Chamber executive Todd Ament pleaded guilty in 2022 to wire fraud, acknowledging that at least $41,000 of payments intended for the chamber was routed to his personal accounts. Ament is now seeking to withdraw his plea, arguing the task force carried out legitimate work. Federal prosecutors are seeking restitution of around $225,000 to From the Earth.

  • In 2019-2020, two cannabis companies paid roughly $310,000 to an Anaheim Chamber-led "cannabis task force".
  • In July 2022, former Anaheim Chamber executive Todd Ament pleaded guilty to wire fraud and related charges.
  • This month, Ament asked a judge to withdraw his plea, arguing the task force did legitimate work.
  • Ament's motion to withdraw his plea and his sentencing are set for March.

The players

Todd Ament

A former Anaheim Chamber executive who pleaded guilty in 2022 to wire fraud and acknowledged that at least $41,000 of payments intended for the chamber was routed to his personal accounts.

From the Earth

A cannabis company that contributed about $310,000 to the Anaheim Chamber-led "cannabis task force".

Mr. Nice Guy Enterprises

A cannabis company that contributed about $310,000 to the Anaheim Chamber-led "cannabis task force".

Melahat Rafiei

A political consultant who worked with some cannabis clients and later cooperated with federal agents, agreeing in 2023 to plead to an attempted wire-fraud charge.

U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California

The federal prosecutors seeking restitution of around $225,000 to From the Earth in Ament's sentencing.

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What’s next

Ament's motion to withdraw his plea and the March sentencing will be the next public milestones in the case. Whether the dispute ends with restitution and sentencing or prompts wider civil litigation and policy fixes, the documents now in court will determine how much of the money trail becomes a legal judgment.

The takeaway

The collapse of Anaheim's cannabis push highlights the risks cities face when trying to regulate and profit from the legal marijuana industry. The allegations of mishandled funds and federal investigations have eroded public trust and left the city's cannabis plans in limbo, underscoring the need for robust oversight and transparency when public funds are involved.