George Soros-Related Group Gives to Marijuana Legalization Effort

By NIGEL JAQUISS

New Approach Oregon, a group that hopes to legalize marijuana in Oregon next year, has reported a $50,000 contribution from the New York-based Drug Policy Alliance.

The significance of that contribution is the DPA, which helped legalize marijuana in Colorado and Washington last year, is closely tied to the billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros. A legalization measure written by longtime marijuana activist Paul Stanford failed in 2012, in part because of a lack of funding. Soros' deep pockets mean that should not be a concern now.

New Approach has worked to get lawmakers to refer a legalization measure but has also indicated willingness to launch a ballot measure campaign if necessary.

As WW reported earlier, another billionaire legalization backer, Progressive Insurance founder Peter Lewis has also contributed to New Approach. 

WWeek 2015

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