The Campaign To Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Colorado is getting a big fundraising boost today in the form of a $50,000 donation from a prominent California businessman.

David Bronner of the natural soaps company Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps planned to make the donation inDenver.

Bronner says he favors the measure because it also would legalize hemp, and his company imports 20 tons of hemp-seed oil each year fromCanada. Hemp cannot be grown legally in this country, and Bronner says legalization could save his company money.

Bronner also gave $75,000 to a legalization effort two years ago in California. His company is in Escondido.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law an industrial hemp pilot project on Monday. But that pilot is aimed at soil remediation, not commercial hemp production.

Since California won’t be voting on legalization this year, Colorado may be the best shot. And certainly money will be a factor, as it is in any political campaign.

The time has come for states to start taking bigger chunks out of the walls of prohibition. It is time to let the light of freedom and truth in.

- Joe Klare