Doug Linkhart first Denver mayoral hopeful to hold fundraiser at a medical marijuana center

Doug Linkhart.

Linkhart isn't the only contestant willing to be seen with MMJ types. Note that at a National Cannabis Industry Association event headlined by Jared Polis, both Linkhart and James Mejia appeared. But frontrunner Chris Romer has publicly disavowed accepting donations from medical marijuana operations, and representatives from other campaigns whisper off the record that getting too cozy with the pro-pot crowd will alienate more conservative voters.

Amanda Snipes, Linkhart's communications director, doesn't buy that. "Voters in Denver have already made their opinion clear on this issue, and Doug's not going to stand in their way," she says. Moreover, patients "have a right to protect their access to medicine -- and we should be fighting for their rights, and for fair treatment of all businesses.

"Doug's not going to distance himself from any business owner or taxpayer in Denver," she adds -- including those who happen to be pro-MMJ.

The event is slated to take place outside Riverside Wellness MMC, 3722 Chestnut Place, beginning at 5:30 p.m. tonight. Here's the e-mail announcement: