Magic Soap CEO kicks in $50,000 for pro-pot Amendment 64 campaign

Opposition group Smart Colorado so far lacks significant funding

A pro marijuana billboard in Denver (Kersgaard photo)

"Amendment 64 unlocks the potential for industrial hemp to bolster Colorado's economy. Overall, the market for hemp fiber and seed products in the U.S. is $400 million annually. Sadly, because hemp has been caught up in this nation's irrational marijuana prohibition laws, not a penny of that money goes to farmers in the U.S.," said Bronner, whose company produces and sells many hemp-based products.

"Allowing the legal cultivation and processing of industrial hemp would provide Colorado with an infusion of new jobs and tax revenue. It would also make the state a leader in the development of a major new industry that will surely expand in coming years," added Brian Vicente, co-director of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

While the marijuana legalization effort continues to attract funding, there is now an organized group opposing the effort as well. The group, Smart Colorado, has thus far reported only $15,000 in contributions, with most of it coming from an anti-legalization organization in Florida.

While the group lacks money so far, it does have a well-known public policy powerhouse running the effort in CRL Associates, where Roger Sherman is leading the campaign.

"It would be bad for Colorado to be the first in the nation to legalize marijuana," says Sherman, best known for his work running campaigns for RTD and various education and pro-tax initiatives. "This just works against what Colorado is trying to promote as a state

"Legalizing marijuana sends the wrong message to kids," he said. He added that marijuana usage in Colorado and the nation is low and has remained low for many years simply because use and possession are illegal.

About the latest cash infusion to the pro-marijuana organization, Sherman said, "It's disappointing that out-of-state, special interests are pushing the pro-pot agenda."
So far, he says, CRL is donating its services to the effort.

Responding to Sherman's comment about the pro Amendment 64 campaign getting out of state money, organizer Mason Tvert said, "This is an odd criticism coming from a hired gun who is speaking on behalf of a committee that has received two-thirds of its contributions from a single Florida-based organization."