It was a classic political fundraiser — semi-formal, with chicken, potatoes and salad on the menu.
The jovial donors sipped gin cocktails and Oregon pinots at the Left Bank Annex on Portland’s East Side earlier this month.
But the 300 attendees who came to support Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, represent a newly energized group: They’re members of the cannabis industry, now in an era where their product is legal for recreational use.
“People that I’ve been working with — in some cases for years dealing with trying to modernize our marijuana laws — came together and they threw me a little party,” Blumenauer said. “It was great fun.”
Fun indeed. The June 5 event raised more than $100,000 for Blumenauer.
