Trump Names Cannabis Entrepreneur Mark Savaya Iraq Envoy

President Donald Trump named Mark Savaya, a Metro Detroit cannabis entrepreneur and founder of the Leaf and Bud dispensary chain, as his special envoy to the Republic of Iraq. Savaya operates three Detroit-area locations and has promoted his business with large billboards and public appearances with Trump; he has also made past donations to Trump’s campaign. Trump praised Savaya’s regional ties and credited him with helping secure record turnout among Muslim and Arab Americans in Michigan during the campaign. The pick has drawn scrutiny because Savaya has no known prior government experience and because his marijuana background is controversial — cannabis is legal in Michigan but remains illegal federally and is illegal in Iraq and much of the Middle East. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani described the appointment as an important step, while some outlets credited Savaya with helping negotiate the recent release of a kidnapped academic, producing mixed reactions.