Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Marijuana Policy Project released their cannabis policy reform voter guides for the 2024 governors’ races and the U.S. Senate races. 

“With Election Day quickly approaching, voters across the country will soon have an opportunity to cast ballots that will shape prospects for cannabis policy reform for years to come. Our goal is to educate voters on where candidates stand on cannabis policy reform so that they can cast informed votes,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies. 

In 11 states, voters will be choosing their next governor on Election Day — Tuesday, November 5. Governors have a tremendous impact on cannabis policies in their states, from signing or vetoing bills to overseeing agencies that can implement, expand, or obstruct existing cannabis laws. To help inform voters, MPP’s gubernatorial voter guide includes public statements on cannabis policy and lawmakers’ votes on cannabis-related legislation, when applicable. In many of these races, there is a stark contrast between where major party gubernatorial candidates stand on cannabis policy reforms. 

Additionally, with 34 Senate seats on the ballot this year, November’s election is key to the prospects for federal reform. Cannabis legalization hasn’t even gotten a vote in the Senate, where 60 votes are needed to overcome a filibuster. Our U.S. Senate voter guide reviews U.S. Senate candidates’ public stances, responses to MPP’s survey questions, and — for incumbents and those holding other elected offices — whether they have supported cannabis policy bills.

Gallup polls show that a supermajority of American voters (70%) agree that cannabis use should be legal. To date, 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in three additional states will consider adult-use legalization initiatives on Election Day: Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Concord, NH — The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released their 2024 New Hampshire Cannabis Policy Voter Guide to help inform voters where candidates, as well as incumbent legislators, stand on a variety of cannabis issues. 

MPP has created this voting guide, where we ranked candidates’ support for legalization and other cannabis policy reforms from A+ to F. The voter guide includes information from their records, public comments, responses to Citizens Count’s survey, and replies to our candidate survey. 

At the top of the state’s ticket, Joyce Craig (D) received an “A” based on her support for cannabis policy reform, while Kelly Ayotte (R) received an “F” due to her long standing opposition to legalization and other cannabis policy reforms. Cook Political Report has ranked the gubernatorial race a “toss up”. 

“This year’s elections will be key in shaping New Hampshire’s prospects for legalization in the following years. All of New Hampshire’s neighbors have already legalized cannabis for adults, and a majority of voters believe cannabis should be legal. Our goal is to educate voters on where candidates stand on cannabis policy reform so that they can cast informed votes,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies.

Polling shows 65% of New Hampshire voters support legalization. However, the “Live Free or Die” state remains an island of prohibition. While a legalization bill (HB 1633) passed both the House and Senate this year — and had the governor’s support — it did not make it past the finish line. As a result, New Hampshire is still the only state in New England that hasn’t legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. 

To date, 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in three additional states will consider adult-use legalization initiatives on Election Day: Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Concord, NH — The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released their 2024 New Hampshire Cannabis Policy Voter Guide to help inform voters where candidates, as well as incumbent legislators, stand on a variety of cannabis issues. 

MPP has created this primary voting guide based on incumbent lawmakers’ records, public comments, and responses to questions we emailed. The full voter guide is available here. 

“This year’s elections will be key in shaping New Hampshire’s prospects for legalization in the following years. All of New Hampshire’s neighbors have already legalized cannabis for adults, and a majority of voters believe cannabis should be legal. Our goal is to educate voters on where candidates stand on cannabis policy reform so that they can cast informed votes,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP’s director of state policies.

New Hampshire’s state primary day is September 10. While only three Senate seats have primaries, candidates’ positions on legalization vary considerably. Additionally, both leading Democratic candidates for governor expressed support for legalization and regulation, while both leading Republican candidates have been staunchly opposed.

Polling shows 65% of New Hampshire voters support legalization. However, the “Live Free or Die” state remains an island of prohibition. While a legalization bill (HB 1633) passed both the House and Senate this year — and had the governor’s support — it did not make it past the finish line. As a result, New Hampshire is still the only state in New England that hasn’t legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. 

To date, 24 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in three additional states will consider adult-use legalization initiatives on Election Day: Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Washington, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, is launching a nationwide search for an experienced Executive Director to guide the organization through the end of federal prohibition in the United States.

Since MPP was founded in 1995, it has been at the forefront of the movement to end cannabis prohibition. As the nation moves closer to full legalization, MPP seeks a visionary leader to steer the organization into a future of continual improvement of medical and adult-use cannabis systems in states across the country.

“We are excited to embark on this search for a new leader who will build upon MPP’s history of success. Our next dynamic leader will work to achieve our goals with our dedicated, passionate, and accomplished team. As we work to achieve our goal of ending marijuana prohibition in this exciting and challenging time, we are building a legacy of justice, compassion, and liberty,” said Betty Aldworth, Chair of the MPP Board of Directors.

The ideal candidate will possess a proven track record in executive leadership, strategic planning and execution, stakeholder mobilization, and fundraising six- and seven-figure gifts. They will be a skilled communicator and have a demonstrated ability to run a fast-paced organization with a commitment to social justice and policy reform.

The Executive Director will oversee all aspects of the organization, including political strategy and policy development, philanthropic support, communications, and Board development. The position is responsible for the financial stability of the organization and requires a substantial amount of time dedicated to raising millions of dollars for the organization and its campaigns. 

This position is required to work from, or make regular visits to, Washington, D.C., and will require frequent travel and hours commensurate with a C-level position. This position reports to the Board of Directors.

Vangst is taking the lead on recruiting for this position and candidates interested in this opportunity should apply with their resume and cover letter on LinkedIn.

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Betty Aldworth has been named Chair, David Abernathy as Vice Chair, and Brian Vicente as Treasurer

Washington, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, is pleased to announce the election of new leadership to its Board of Directors.

Betty Aldworth has been elected as Chair of the MPP Board of Directors. Betty was a pioneer in the cannabis legalization movement, and served as spokesperson for Colorado's successful Amendment 64 campaign in 2012. As the Director of Communications and Post-Prohibition Strategy at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, she generates support for psychedelic research and reform through the media and Illustrates the promise of a post-prohibition world through inspiring public education opportunities. Betty has dedicated her career to building a more sensible future through reforming drug policies to be rooted in safety, justice, and education.

David Abernathy will serve as the new Vice Chair. David currently serves as Principal for Arcview Management Consulting and has vast experience in the cannabis industry, from financial services, consulting, and investments to data, analytics, and market research. He is also a longtime advocate for social justice who also serves on the board of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and Cat Town, and he is on the faculty and board of Oaksterdam University.  

Brian Vicente, founding partner of Vicente LLP, has been elected as the Board’s Treasurer. Brian has been a leader in the legalization movement for more than 20 years, working closely with MPP — including as one of the drafters of Colorado's Amendment 64. Brian has helped marijuana businesses obtain state and local licenses since the inception of the regulated cannabis industry, and has also advised national, state, and local government officials in the development of regulated cannabis markets across the country and around the world.

Betty, David, and Brian bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles. Their leadership will be instrumental in guiding MPP as it continues to advance cannabis policy reform across the United States.

"It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Chair of MPP's Board over the past five years. During that time, MPP ushered in some of the most significant wins for cannabis reform, including legalization in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Our newly revamped board is positioned to lead MPP in furtherance of our mission to end prohibition. I personally nominated Betty Aldworth as Board Chair because I am confident that she and our new officers are the right team to shepherd the end of prohibition nationally," said Sal Pace, MPP Board member.

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Read the Marijuana Policy Project’s full report on adult-use cannabis tax revenue here

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday, the Marijuana Policy Project released a new report on tax revenue generated from state-legal, adult-use cannabis sales. 

Through the first quarter of 2024, states have reported a combined total of more than $20 billion in tax revenue from legal, adult-use cannabis sales. In 2023 alone, legalization states generated more than $4 billion in cannabis tax revenue from adult-use sales, which is the most revenue generated by cannabis sales in a single year.

“State-legal cannabis sales continue to provide significant economic benefits. With over $20 billion generated in adult-use cannabis tax revenue since the first sales began, the legal cannabis industry is providing much-needed funding for crucial services and programs in states across the country. Additionally, the implementation of adult-use cannabis markets has spurred significant job growth, creating hundreds of thousands of new employment opportunities, along with thousands of new small businesses," said Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Twenty-four states have legalized cannabis possession for adults 21 and older. All but one of them — Virginia — have also legalized, regulated, and taxed cannabis sales. In two legalization states — Delaware and Ohio — sales have not begun yet. 

MPP’s report reviews each legalization state’s adult-use cannabis tax structure, population, and year-by-year adult-use cannabis tax revenue. The full report is available here. These figures include cannabis excise taxes and states’ standard sales taxes that are applied to cannabis. They do not include medical cannabis tax revenue.

State Breakdown of Tax Revenue Generated from Legal, Adult-Use Cannabis Sales in 2023: 

•     Alaska: $28,097,114
•     Arizona: $257,929,322
•     California: $1,082,452,368
•     Colorado: $256,756,467
•     Connecticut: $24,613,367
•     Illinois: $552,166,729
•     Maine: $35,593,347
•     Maryland: approximately $29,880,000
•     Massachusetts: $263,488,752
•     Michigan: $473,303,560
•     Missouri: $105,941,225
•     Montana: $51,636,106
•     Nevada: $178,135,259
•     New Jersey: $45,083,223
•     New Mexico: $67,440,312
•     New York: approximately $21,000,000
•     Rhode Island: $12,621,982
•     Oregon: $148,133,667
•     Washington: $532,516,060
•     Vermont: $21,642,857
•     Overall Total: approximately $4,188,431,717

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Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reportedly proposed rescheduling of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. Before taking effect, the DEA’s proposal must undergo review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.

“This is a positive step forward for federal cannabis policy, however it is a rather modest step given the strong support among American voters for comprehensive cannabis reform,” said Matthew Schweich, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. “It is important to acknowledge that this rescheduling would not affect the criminalization of medical cannabis patients and cannabis consumers under state laws – so we must continue the work of enacting sensible and fair cannabis legalization and medical cannabis laws through state legislatures and ballot initiatives.”

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) formally recommended rescheduling cannabis. In a letter sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), HHS provided findings from their review of marijuana’s scheduling status and recommended rescheduling marijuana to a Schedule III controlled substance. 

“I’m underwhelmed by the progress made during President Biden’s administration, I think it was fair to expect more,” added Schweich. “It was absurd to consider cannabis to be more dangerous than heroin, as is the case today. It will remain absurd to consider cannabis to be more dangerous than alcohol, Xanax, and Valium, which will still be the case after this rescheduling takes effect.” 

However, MPP recognizes that rescheduling cannabis would still provide many real-world benefits, including facilitating research and reducing burdens on medical cannabis patients, providers, and the businesses that serve them. However, moving cannabis to Schedule III will still leave many of the harms of federal prohibition in place. Rescheduling cannabis will not resolve the conflicts between federal and state laws, and ultimately action is needed from Congress to enact federal legalization and criminal justice policies.

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Florida Supreme Court issues ruling that allows a proposed adult-use cannabis legalization ballot initiative to advance to the 2024 ballot

Tallahassee, FL — Today, in a 5-2 ruling, the Florida State Supreme Court advanced a proposed adult-use cannabis legalization initiative to the November 5, 2024, ballot. 

“This is one of the most important cannabis legalization campaigns in recent years,” said Matthew Schweich, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project. “We have the opportunity to end the injustice of cannabis prohibition for over 22 million Americans.”

The ballot initiative, which is being spearheaded by Smart and Safe Florida, would legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over and allow legal sales through licensed businesses. In order to pass, the initiative must be approved by 60% of voters. Of the 24 states with an initiative process, Florida is the only state that requires 60% to pass an initiative.

“The challenge in Florida is reaching the 60% mark,” added Schweich, who has served as campaign director for six successful cannabis reform ballot initiative campaigns since 2016. “We need a well-funded campaign but just as importantly we need a strong grassroots operation that can mobilize support and turn out pro-legalization voters.”

If passed, the initiative would take effect six months after Election Day. The initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower and five grams of concentrate. Medical cannabis dispensaries would be permitted to sell cannabis to adults over the age of 21. The legislature would retain the ability to issue more licenses in the future.

The initiative does not include expungement or home grow, which most likely would have caused it to be rejected by the Florida Supreme Court based on the state’s “single-subject” rule for initiatives. 

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Columbus, OH — On Tuesday, Ohioans approved Issue 2, a ballot measure to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults’ use in Ohio. With 54% of the votes counted, Issue 2 was ahead by 55.6% to 44.4%.

Ohio is the 24th state to legalize cannabis for adult use and the 14th state to do so through a ballot question approved by voters. The passage of Issue 2 in Ohio also means that a majority of Americans now live in a state where cannabis is legal for adults.

“This is a great day for Ohio, which now joins the growing number of conservative-leaning states that have ended the injustice of cannabis prohibition,” said Matthew Schweich, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project. “Our organization is proud to have been a member of a strong coalition of groups that advanced common sense cannabis policy for the people of Ohio by supporting Issue 2. This victory represents the culmination of a years-long effort, as MPP also played a pivotal role in the passage of Ohio’s medical cannabis law in 2015."

Once the measure is certified on December 7, adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis, including up to 15 grams of concentrate, and securely grow up to six plants. Legal sales are anticipated to begin in 2024. Issue 2 also allocates funding to establish a social equity and jobs program, and to study expungement and sentencing reform. More details of the new law can be found here. 

“There should no longer be any doubt that cannabis legalization can win in a conservative state,” added Schweich. “In the years ahead, more states will adopt legalization and further increase pressure on Congress to address the glaring conflicts between state and federal law regarding cannabis.” 

With the addition of Ohio, a majority of U.S. residents (52.6%) now live in legalization states. Gallup polls show that a supermajority of American voters (68%) agree that cannabis use should be legal, including 70% of independents and 51% of Republicans.

MPP was a major financial supporter of the Issue 2 campaign in Ohio. The organization’s involvement in Ohio cannabis reform efforts dates back to 2015, when MPP joined forces with local advocates to spearhead a ballot initiative campaign to enact medical cannabis, which spurred the legislature to enact the state’s medical cannabis law. 

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View the Marijuana Policy Project’s full voter guide here

Baton Rouge, LA — On Monday, the Marijuana Policy Project released their 2023 Louisiana Cannabis Policy Voter Guide to educate the citizens of Louisiana where candidates, as well as incumbent legislators, stand on a variety of cannabis issues. 

MPP sent out a survey to all candidates for state offices. If the candidate held office in the last four-year term, we also chose nine bills (five criminal justice reform and four medical) to evaluate their voting record and created a color-coded “scorecard” with a letter grade for that legislator/candidate. 

MPP’s 2023 Louisiana Cannabis Policy voter guides can be found at these links:
    •    Louisiana State House of Representatives
    •    Louisiana State Senate 
    •    Governor 
    •    Lt. Governor 
    •    Secretary of State 
    •    Attorney General 
    •    Treasurer 

"We are glad to be able to provide voters a guide as to where their candidate stands on cannabis policy. Since Louisiana does not have a ballot initiative process, the only path to legalization must go through the legislature. This election will decide the makeup of the legislature and the statewide offices for the next four years and will shape prospects for reform for years to come. We hope this voter guide will help voters make educated decisions as to who has earned the right to represent them in Baton Rouge.” -Kevin Caldwell, Southeast Legislative Manager at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Louisiana has been leading the way on cannabis reform in the South. Over the past two years, the legislature has heard roughly 50 cannabis-related bills, with several successfully making it through the legislative process. Meanwhile, a 2023 poll by Louisiana State University found that 70% of respondents support legalizing cannabis for adult use.

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