Pubdate: Tue, 30 Sep 2014 Source: Boston Globe (MA) Copyright: 2014 Associated Press Contact: http://services.bostonglobe.com/news/opeds/letter.aspx?id=6340 Website: http://bostonglobe.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/52 Author: Kristen Wyatt, Associated Press MARIJUANA INDUSTRY MAKES POLITICAL DONATIONS DENVER (AP) - The entrepreneurs of the young US marijuana industry are taking another step into the mainstream, becoming political donors who use some of their profits to support cannabis-friendly candidates and ballot questions that could bring legal marijuana to more states. The political activity includes swanky fund-raisers at Four Seasons hotels and art auctions at law firms. And members of Congress who once politely returned the industry's contribution checks are now keeping them. "We're developing an industry here from the ground up. If we don't contribute politically and get out there with the candidates, we can't help shape what happens," said Patrick McManamon, head of Cleveland-based Cannasure Insurance Services, which offers insurance to marijuana growers and dispensaries. Medical marijuana businesses have been giving to candidates since the late 1990s. With the arrival of recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington, the industry and its political influence are expanding rapidly. Marijuana is now legal for medical or recreational purposes in 23 states and Washington, D.C. More marijuana measures will be on the November ballot in Oregon, Florida, Alaska, and the nation's capital, so many contributions are being funneled into those campaigns and the candidates who support them. Compared with the donations of other industries or advocacy groups, the political spending by marijuana businesses is modest. But, said Tripp Keber, head of Denver-based Dixie Elixirs & Edibles, which makes marijuana-infused soda, food, and lotion, "the word is out that the marijuana industry has money to give." In Washington state, the industry's contributions are channeled into reforms that include reducing the tax rate on marijuana and kicking some of the revenue back to cities and counties to encourage more communities to allow dispensaries, said dispensary owner John Davis, who also serves as director of the Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom