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Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., speaks at a Portland press conference on April 9 with Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., on marijuana issues. On the right is Anthony Johnson, chief sponsor of the 2014 initiative that legalized marijuana in Oregon.

(Jeff Mapes|The Oregonian)

Oregon's burgeoning marijuana industry is stepping up its congressional lobbying in hopes of winning better treatment on tax and banking issues.

An industry political action committee sponsored a Friday night fundraiser in Portland with Rep. Earl Blumenauer that brought in more than $100,000 for the Oregon Democrat's re-election campaign.

And on Monday, about 25 members from the Oregon Cannabis Association were set to travel to Washington, D.C., to personally meet with members of Congress and their staffs - and to attend a couple of fundraisers as well.

"To me, this is an exciting moment for the Oregon industry," said Amy Margolis, a Portland lawyer who works with the association and is on the trip.

This is the first lobbying trip of its type for an Oregon group. The National Cannabis Industry Association, which has about 900 member companies and is based in Denver, does an annual lobbying trip to D.C.. It had about 100 people on its trip this year in April, said Taylor West, the group's deputy director.

Oregon and four other states and the District of Columbia have voted to legalize marijuana, and 23 states and D.C. allow the use of medical marijuana.

These sorts of trips are a staple for a wide variety of business, governmental and activist groups. D.C. lobbyists know that one way to make an impact on members of Congress is to bring in folks from their districts to talk to them.

Another, of course, is showing the ability to raise campaign cash.

The members of Oregon Cannabis PAC, which is associated with the business group, organized the Blumenauer fundraiser in appreciation of the Portland congressman's long support for legalizing marijuana, Margolis said.

More than 300 people attended the event at the Left Bank Annex, paying between $50 and $5,000 to attend, said Willie Smith, an aide to the congressman.

Margolis said members of her group would also attend D.C. fundraisers this week for Colorado Reps. Jared Polis and Ed Perlmutter, both Democrats. The two also support legislation aimed at removing federal restrictions on the drug.

Margolis said the cannabis businesspeople - who are involved in growing, processing and retailing marijuana products - plan to focus on federal rules hindering their businesses.

"I order to be real businesses, we need access to real business services," said Margolis. She noted that federal tax law restricts marijuana businesses from deducting most of their business costs. And banks generally won't open marijuana-related business accounts because the drug is still illegal under federal law.

Concerns have also been raised about access to insurance coverage. Lloyds of London announced last week it was leaving the U.S. market for cannabis-related businesses. Several other insurance firms continue to offer coverage, according to Marijuana Business Daily.

Margolis said the group plans to meet with Blumenauer as well as with Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, who are both Oregon Democrats and back legislation to help the industry with their banking and tax issues.

She said they are also working on meeting with Reps. Greg Walden, R-Ore., and Peter DeFazio, D-Ore. They also scheduled meetings with staffers for several other members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

--Jeff Mapes

503-221-8209

@Jeffmapes