Marijuana Policy Project

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Marijuana Policy Project

The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that focuses on cannabis policy reform. Founded in 1995, MPP's mission is to change marijuana laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the use of marijuana and to regulate it similarly to alcohol. The organization works on both the state and federal levels to advocate for legalization, decriminalization, and medical marijuana policies.

History

The Marijuana Policy Project was founded in 1995 by Rob Kampia, Chuck Thomas, and Mike Kirshner. The organization was established to address the need for a professional lobbying organization to advocate for marijuana reform in the United States Congress and state legislatures.

Mission and Goals

MPP's primary goals include:

• Ending marijuana prohibition and replacing it with a system of taxation and regulation.
• Ensuring that medical marijuana patients have legal access to marijuana.
• Reducing penalties for marijuana possession and use.
• Educating the public about the benefits of marijuana legalization.

Activities

MPP engages in a variety of activities to achieve its goals, including:

• Lobbying state and federal lawmakers.
• Drafting and supporting legislation and ballot initiatives.
• Conducting public education campaigns.
• Providing support and resources to local and state activists.

Notable Achievements

MPP has been instrumental in the passage of several significant marijuana reform laws, including:

• The Colorado Amendment 64 in 2012, which legalized marijuana for recreational use in Colorado.
• The Nevada Question 2 in 2016, which legalized recreational marijuana in Nevada.
• The Vermont Senate Bill 54 in 2020, which established a regulated market for marijuana in Vermont.

Leadership

The current executive director of MPP is Toi Hutchinson, who took over the role in 2021. The organization is governed by a board of directors and supported by a team of staff members and volunteers.

Related Pages

• Cannabis policy in the United States
• Drug policy reform
• Legal history of cannabis in the United States
• Medical cannabis
• Cannabis rights

See Also

• NORML
• Drug Policy Alliance
• Cannabis in the United States
• Cannabis law
• Cannabis culture