According to the latest quarterly campaign finance report, the Smart and Safe Act legalization initiative has collected a total of $1.6 million. The campaign raised $446,000 in business contributions from October through December. Collecting about $1,700 from 13 individual contributions.
Harvest Health and Recreation Inc., the Tempe-based dispensary operator that is on track to become the largest legal marijuana retailer in the United States, contributed $250,000 in the past quarter. Harvest has given $785,000 to the Arizona effort so far.
Another major donor in prior quarters was Los Angeles-based MedMen Enterprises Inc., which contributed $200,000 to the initiative as of October. However, MedMen recently opted to attempt to sell its three Arizona medical-marijuana dispensaries.
No rising oppositions as of now
Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk, who serves as chairwoman of the group Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy. Polk’s position opposing legalization has not changed since she helped defeat a statewide ballot measure in 2016, her group doesn’t plan to present an organized defense to this year’s initiative.
“At this point, ARDP has no plans to form a PAC in opposition to the initiative,” spokesman Robert Leger said. “The group will continue its work at the grassroots level to raise awareness about the harms of today’s marijuana.”
Regarding potential opposition groups, “The two things we look for are funding and viability,” said Stacy Pearson, a spokeswoman for the Smart and Safe Arizona Act. “We don’t see anybody out there with both.”
Campaign Finance director, Danielle Sedgwick says if you are pro-legalization and looking to get involved with the legalization decision, the best way to get involved with the campaign is to donate monies to the campaign. Visit the website for more details https://smartandsafeaz.com/