Published On 20/10/2025
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Last update: 23:36 (Mecca time)
US President Donald Trump appointed businessman Mark Savaya, one of the most prominent investors in the cannabis cultivation sector in Michigan, as a special envoy to Iraq, in a move that aroused widespread interest given the unusual nature of his business activity in this position.
Trump said in a post on his “Truth Social” platform on Sunday, “Mark (Savaya)’s deep understanding of the relationship between Iraq and the United States, and his ties in the region, will contribute to achieving the interests of the American people,” praising his role during the recent election campaign in mobilizing votes among American Muslims in the state of Michigan.
In a post on the X platform, Savaya said that he is “committed to strengthening the partnership between the United States and Iraq under the leadership and guidance of President Trump.”
Savaya is the founder of Leaf and Bud, which specializes in indoor cannabis cultivation in Detroit, the largest city in the state of Michigan, located in the midwestern United States.
Trump explained that Savaya “was a key player” in his election campaign in Michigan, which is considered one of the swing states, noting that his efforts helped achieve a “record vote” among voters of Arab and Muslim origins.
Savaya belongs to the Chaldean Christian community, and is not a Muslim, according to what those close to him explained.
It is noteworthy that the cultivation and use of cannabis is prohibited in Iraq, and the authorities impose severe penalties, up to death, for drug trafficking.
Trump won the state of Michigan, which was a major battlefield, after he expanded his popularity among Americans of Arab origin, especially in light of his positions on the war on Gaza.
Trump had also chosen Arab-American Amer Ghalib, the mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, as US ambassador to Kuwait, but the approval of his appointment in the Senate is still pending pending a review of his previous statements related to Israel.
Trump is known for his reliance on special envoys who work under his direct supervision and do not require Senate confirmation, instead of appointing traditional ambassadors.