PHOENIX โ Proponents of recreational use of marijuana in Arizona have already raised more than $2.2 million in their bid to get voter approval in November.
New campaign finance reports Friday show the largest share of the cash coming from the Marijuana Policy Project. That national group has been at the forefront of efforts to loosen laws on a state-by-state basis.
So far, it has kicked in nearly $610,000 directly and another $271,150 from its separate foundation. Virtually all the rest comes from companies already in the marijuana business in Arizona who stand to benefit if the measure is approved.
The anti-initiative campaign, operating as Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, reported contributions of close to $690,000.
That effort is being fueled largely by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has so far kicked in $120,000, mostly in outright cash, with about $10,000 of food and beverages for fundraising.
The campaign is shaping up to be far more expensive than the one in 2010, in which marijuana was legalized for medical purposes.
That measure squeaked by with less than $800,000 in support, with close to $469,000 from the Marijuana Policy Project.
Foes managed to collect less than $20,000.
Recreational marijuana use is legal in four states and the District of Columbia, and there are ballot measures pending in other states, like California.
The measure would limit the number of marijuana dispensaries initially to about 150, a figure based on a percentage of the number of liquor stores in Arizona. The operators of the stateโs existing 99 medical marijuana dispensaries would have first claim on those licenses.
Other than the state chamber, on the anti-legalization side the major contributor was Randy Kendrick, wife of Arizona Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick, who kicked in $100,000.
The campaign also reports major funding from several other businesses including Empire Southwes, Microchip Technologies and Robson Communities.
