Pot businesses are a growing source of campaign cash
Although Colorado’s marijuana industry is more likely to pump big money into ballot initiatives, its dollars are also showing up on the balance sheets of political campaigns, a sign of the industry’s growing role in public affairs.
Donors range from dispensary owners, especially of large chains, to the law firms that handle their business.
A review of contributions culled from campaign finance reports filed with the Colorado secretary of state’s TRACER system shows that about $223,000 over the last 5½ years has made its way into the campaign coffers of candidates for statewide offices as well as to political party coffers. And the money is growing.
Contributions from the still nascent pot industry are peanuts, however, when compared to those made by long-established players like labor unions or oil and gas.
