Cannabis industry campaign donations grow in New Mexico
So far this year, New Mexico politicians have received $24,200 from the UltraHealth CEO and his other companies
Cannabis is emerging as a popular source of campaign contributions in New Mexico, according to recent data from the state’s Campaign Finance Information System and the National Institute on Money in Politics.
Over $49,00 has been bestowed upon elected officials by the legal cannabis industry during this election cycle.
When compared to the $25,150 that was pledged to political action committees and state candidates in the 2016 election cycle, cannabis industry campaign contributions have almost doubled in just two years.
Cannabis industry campaign donations surpass the $100k mark
Individuals and businesses that are involved in cannabis industry cultivation, retail or packaging practices are making financial donations to New Mexico politicians.
In fact, the amount of money that has been donated to state candidates in the southwestern U.S. state since 2012 exceeds $110,000.
“This year, revenue [for medical marijuana producers] topped $100 million in New Mexico,” said Duke Rodriguez, the CEO and President of Ultra Health. “But in the next five years, it’s going to grow even more.”
Ultra Health’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries operate in 10 locations and sell a broad selection of cannabis products, including cannabidiol (CBD), edibles, oils and vapes.
Ultra Health is New Mexico’s biggest cannabis industry campaign benefactor
Among all of the cannabis donors in the New Mexico area, Rodriguez’s company granted politicians with the most funds.
Since 2012, the combined figure has swelled to $38,700. Included in this figure is a $5,000 offering to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham from a firm that Rodriguez also manages, Cumbre Investments.
So far this year, New Mexico politicians have received $24,200 from Ultra Health and the CEO’s and his other companies.
Lujan Grisham, who has pulled in over $29,000 from the cannabis industry in 2018, received $10,000 in campaign funds from Rodriguez. She collected the majority of her donations from cannabis dispensary PurLife.
Former Governor of New Mexico, Raymond S. “Jerry” Apodaca, falls slightly behind Grisham, with $11,610 in cannabis industry campaign funds.
Cannabis industry campaign contributions predicted to increase
Darren White, who sits on the board of directors at PurLife, is not surprised by the rise in cannabis industry campaign contributions. He anticipates more contributions in future election cycles.
“It’s no different than the liquor industry or oil and gas,” said White. “When you’ve got a $100 million industry, you’re going to see a lot of political contributions.”
In addition to PurLife and Ultra Health, another medical cannabis operator is making strides towards political campaign funding, Natural RX. Since 2012, the company and its Executive Director, Trevor Reed, have donated $21,000.
Despite this, the number of political campaign contributors in the state of New Mexico is less than half of the 35 total. Rodriguez strives to encourage other cannabis producers to engage in political cannabis contributions.
Top cannabis industry campaign donors since 2012
- Ultra Health/Duke Rodriguez/Cumbre Investments: $39,000
- Natural RX/Trevor Reed: $21,100
- Verdes Foundation: $15,100
- PurLife: $11,000
- R.L. Greenleaf: $3,000
Top cannabis industry campaign donors in 2018
- Ultra Health/Duke Rodriguez/Cumbre: $24,200
- The Verdes Foundation: $14,500
- PurLife: $11,000
- Natural Rx/Trevor Reed: $8,100
Major recipients of cannabis cash for 2018
- Michelle Lujan Grisham: $29,205
- Jeff Apodaca: $11,610
- Nate Gentry: $7,700
- Bill McCamley: $2,700
Top recipients of cannabis funding (2012-2018)
- Michelle Lujan Grisham: $29,205
- Nate Gentry: $20,700
- Jeff Apodaca: $11,610
- Cisco McSorley: $6,000
- Daniel Ivey-Soto: $4,000
Top recipients of cannabis funding by party (2012-2018)
- Democrat: $79,869
- Republican: $22,80
