Behind Oklahoma Cannabis Farms, New Yorkers With Ties to Beijing

OG article by Jay RootBianca Pallaro and Michael Forsythe

December 31, 2025

A New York Times investigation reveals connections between Oklahoma cannabis farms and leaders of Chinese diaspora hometown associations in New York City, some with ties to Beijing. In China, marijuana trafficking is punishable by death, but in the U.S., it has become profitable for certain individuals. Botanical Green Farms in Wynnewood, Okla., is among several operations linked to these groups. The article highlights the murder of Wyan Wang, a cannabis worker in Edmond, Okla., killed in a robbery, underscoring risks in the cash-heavy industry. Wang was a protégé of John Lam, a New York real estate mogul who developed numerous projects, partnered with Richard Branson on a Manhattan hotel, and fundraised for Mayor Eric Adams. Lam also led a hometown association, one of many diaspora organizations maintaining close Beijing ties and used by the Chinese government to influence U.S. politicians opposing its policies. The examination shows nearly a dozen associates from these associations pursuing marijuana ventures in America’s heartland, often exploiting immigrant workers like indentured servants while concealing true ownership. These operations highlight broader issues of foreign influence, labor exploitation, and regulatory challenges in the rapidly expanding U.S. cannabis market.