Marijuana is making it into the mainstream. Currently 23 states and the District of Columbia have legal medical or recreational marijuana, with Oregon, Alaska, Florida and D.C. all with further marijuana related measures on their ballots this coming November. As a result the marijuana industry has graduated to the next level of activism, by getting involved in giving political donating.
This new boom in political giving is due in part because for the first time the marijuana industry is profitable, with extra money to give to political causes. This is also the first time that many politicians have been willing to accept donations from marijuana advocates, since the issue of drug reform isn't as politically toxic as it has been in years past.
One of the largest pro-cannabis advocacy groups, the Marijuana Policy Project, has given the most money to federal candidates this cycle since 2008.
