Washington, D.C. — The nation’s largest marijuana policy organization, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), announced Monday the election of four new members to serve on its board of directors.

“We are thrilled to welcome four outstanding new members to our board of directors. Their experience and proven track record of success in the cannabis space will boost MPP’s efforts and serve as an asset as we embark on another year of advocating for the end of cannabis prohibition. My heart is full knowing MPP has mission-based people backing our work, and we won’t stop fighting until both the people and the plant are free,” said Toi Hutchinson, President & CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project.

"We thank our outgoing board members who were all tireless activists for cannabis reform. I am so thrilled to have Tom, Barrington, Kim, and Betty join the MPP Board of Directors. They bring a diverse depth of cannabis expertise from across the country. The four new members are excellent additions who will strengthen the board and bring new perspectives from both cannabis business and legalization campaigns. With Congress failing to act, we know that the strategy for victory will be brought back to our roots — changing state laws! MPP has been changing state laws for twenty-seven years, and our newly revamped board is positioned to lead MPP until every state has ended the failed war on cannabis," said Sal Pace, Chair of the Marijuana Policy Project Board of Directors.

The new appointments to MPP’s now 9-member board of directors include:

Betty Aldworth: Prior to becoming Director of Communications and Marketing at MAPS in 2020, Betty Aldworth was the Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy where she led and supported tens of thousands of students and young people united to build a more sensible future through reforming drug policies to be rooted in safety, justice, and education. 

Kim Napoli: In 2006, Kim opened The Hempest Harvard Square, a small business located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In doing so, Kim became the first female of color to own a cannabis-related business in the state of Massachusetts. 

Tom Roth: Drawing on more than 17 years of corporate government affairs experience in highly regulated industries, Tom Roth helps lead state and industry relations for Scott Miracle-Gro’s Hawthorne Gardening Company as their Manager of External affairs.

Barrington Rutherford: As Chairman of the Board of Directors at Park Jordan,  Barrington Rutherford brings a deep knowledge of the cannabis industry through his years of experience leading the real estate department of Cresco Labs -- one of the largest and most respected multi-state cannabis organizations in the US. 

MPP has spearheaded most of the major state-level reforms that have occurred over the past two decades and has been a leading advocate for federal marijuana policy reform on Capitol Hill since the organization was founded in 1995.

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Honolulu, HI — Hawaii social justice groups will gather on Wednesday for a news conference in support of legislation to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis. The event is being held as momentum for legalization picks up in the state. Scheduled speakers at the event include Rep. Jeanné Kapela, DeVaughn Ward of the Marijuana Policy Project, Nikos Leverenz of Drug Policy Forum Hawaii, and George Cordero of the ACLU Hawaii. The group will also be urging state lawmakers to include processes for automatic record clearance and resentencing in cannabis proposals. 

WHAT: News conference with Hawaii social justice organizations to advocate for ending the prohibition of cannabis and providing retroactive relief for the victims of cannabis prohibition

WHEN: Wednesday, January 11, 10:30 a.m. HST

WHERE: Rotunda of the Capitol, 415 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813

WHO: Rep. Jeanné Kapela, 5th District 

DeVaughn Ward, Marijuana Policy Project

George Cordero, ACLU of Hawai‘i 

Nikos Leverenz, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii

Gracie Johnson, Last Prisoner Project (In Absentia)

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Washington, D.C. — On Election Day, voters in Maryland and Missouri approved their respective cannabis legalization ballot initiatives. 

“A growing number of voters recognize that cannabis policy reform is in the best interest of public health and safety, criminal justice reform, social equity, and personal freedom,” said Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project. “State-level legalization victories are what’s necessary to move the needle forward at the federal level. That is how we build cannabis champions in Congress who are committed to taking meaningful action to put an end to prohibition once and for all.” 

This marks the sixth consecutive election in which voters in multiple states approved cannabis measures at the ballot box. Heading into Election Day, 19 states had legalized cannabis for adults 21 and over. Now, there are 21 legalization states in the country. 

In addition to Maryland and Missouri, there were ballot initiatives to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over in three other states. The Associated Press has called defeats in Arkansas and North Dakota and it is unlikely the measure in South Dakota will pass.

The Marijuana Policy Project spearheaded the efforts in North Dakota and South Dakota and has also been instrumental in assisting the campaign in Maryland. MPP has played a central role in a majority of the state-level cannabis legalization victories over the past two decades including the campaigns in Colorado (2012); Alaska (2014); Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada (2016); Michigan and Utah (2018); and Montana and South Dakota (2020).

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Annapolis, M.D. — Maryland voters have approved Question 4, a legislatively-referred ballot question to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. Maryland is now the 20th state to legalize cannabis for adult use.

“With Marylanders’ overwhelming support of Question 4, the state will finally end the failed era of cannabis prohibition and take a more just and equitable approach towards cannabis policy,” said Olivia Naugle, senior policy analyst at the Marijuana Policy Project. “The passage of Question 4 is a huge victory for criminal justice reform and racial justice in Maryland. It will save thousands of Marylanders from arrests and further criminalization for cannabis possession, and it will begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused, disproportionately in communities of color, by expunging records and reinvesting back into those communities. We look forward to working closely with Maryland lawmakers to ensure that the implementation of legalization is centered around equity.”

Beginning July 1, 2023, adults will be able to legally possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis and cultivate up to two plants in Maryland. A summary of Question 4, and the companion bill to begin implementing it, is available here.

“The result of Maryland's cannabis legalization measure is monumental," said Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project. "With each state that successfully legalizes cannabis, we are one step closer to dismantling the federal prohibition of cannabis.”

In addition to Maryland, there were ballot initiatives to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over in Arkansas, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota this election. Advocates are awaiting results in the other four states.

MPP led the local coalition that spurred Maryland state lawmakers to refer a legalization question to this year’s ballot and played an instrumental role in assisting the Yes on 4 campaign. The Marijuana Policy Project also led the legalization efforts in North Dakota and South Dakota.

Heading into Election Day, 19 states had legalized cannabis for adults 21 and over, and 37 states had legalized medical cannabis.

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MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Leaders from the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) — which is playing a leading role in several of the 2022 legalization campaigns — will be available for interviews

Washington, D.C. — On Election Day, voters in five states (Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota) will vote on ballot measures to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over. 

This marks the sixth consecutive election in which voters in multiple states are expected to approve cannabis legalization measures at the ballot box. If proponents are victorious in each of the five states, 2022 would be the most successful year ever for adult-use legalization ballot initiatives.

The Marijuana Policy Project is spearheading the efforts in North Dakota and South Dakota and has also been instrumental in assisting the campaign in Maryland. MPP has played a central role in a majority of the state-level cannabis legalization victories over the past two decades including the campaigns in Colorado (2012); Alaska (2014); Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada (2016); Michigan and Utah (2018); and Montana and South Dakota (2020).

Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, and Matthew Schweich, Deputy Director of the Marijuana Policy Project, are available for interviews leading up to election day, on election night, and in the days following the election. Schweich has played a leadership role in six successful cannabis reform ballot initiative campaigns, advises the 2022 North Dakota campaign, and serves as the campaign manager of the 2022 South Dakota campaign.

Please email media@mpp.org or call 703-498-9883 to schedule an interview.

Heading into Election Day, 19 states had legalized cannabis for adults 21 and over (and 37 states had legalized medical cannabis).

According to Gallup polls, more than two-thirds of Americans support legalizing cannabis for adults’ use. State-by-state polling shows majority or plurality support in every single state.

See the links below for more information on each of the ballot initiative measures.

Arkansas: responsiblegrowtharkansas.com

Maryland: yesonmd4.org

Missouri: legalmo22.com

North Dakota: newapproachnd.org

South Dakota: southdakotamarijuana.org

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View the Marijuana Policy Project’s full voter guide here

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released their voter guide to 2022 governors’ races and cannabis policy reform. 

In 36 states, voters will be choosing their next governor on Election Day. In many of these races, there is a stark contrast between where major party gubernatorial candidates stand on cannabis policy reforms. To help inform voters, MPP’s voter guide includes public statements on cannabis policy and lawmakers’ votes on cannabis-related legislation, when applicable. 

Governors have a tremendous impact on cannabis policies in their states, including signing or vetoing bills, pardoning past convictions, and overseeing agencies that can implement, expand, or obstruct existing cannabis laws. 

“The impact and influence that governors have on cannabis policy reform are undeniable, and unfortunately, not always positive. With Election Day quickly approaching, voters across the country will soon have an opportunity to elect governors, thus shaping the future of cannabis policy reform in their states. Our goal is simple — to empower voters so that they can cast informed votes,” said Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project.

According to Gallup polls, more than two-thirds of Americans support legalizing cannabis for adults’ use. State-by-state polling shows majority or plurality support in every single state.

To date, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in five additional states will consider legalization initiatives or referrals on Election Day: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Washington, D.C. — On Thursday, it was announced that President Biden will pardon all prior federal offenses of simple cannabis possession while calling on governors to pardon simple state cannabis possession offenses. Furthermore, he announced that he will be initiating an administrative review of federal cannabis scheduling to determine whether cannabis should remain classified as a Schedule I drug.

Following this news, Toi Hutchinson, President and CEO of the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization, released the following statement:

“MPP is grateful for the action President Biden has taken today, which is a historic step forward towards reducing the lasting harm from the failed war on cannabis that has disproportionately impacted Black and Brown people and economically challenged communities across the country. Not only will thousands of lives be improved by removing this burden, but it also sends a powerful message to states that it is time to end prohibition and give people the tools they need to live full productive lives without the shackles of the criminal justice system. 

“This news will generate continued momentum in the five states where cannabis is on the ballot in November and should our advocates on the ground be successful, half of all states in our nation will have legalized cannabis.”

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View the Marijuana Policy Project’s full NH voter guide here

Concord, NH — On Tuesday, the Marijuana Policy Project released their New Hampshire Cannabis Policy voter guide.

In order to help inform voters about their options, MPP sent a four-question survey to state Senate candidates and compiled their responses. Additionally, the voter guide includes candidates’ public statements on cannabis policy and incumbent lawmakers’ votes on cannabis-related legislation. 

Polling shows 74% of Granite State voters support legalizing cannabis. Yet, the “Live Free or Die” state remains an island of prohibition. New Hampshire is now the only state in New England that hasn’t legalized and regulated cannabis for adults. While the New Hampshire House of Representatives has passed several legalization bills, all have died in the state Senate. Every state Senate seat is on the ballot in 2022, and eight of the 24 seats are open (no incumbent), giving voters an opportunity to elect a new, more responsive legislature. In at least 20 of the 24 New Hampshire state Senate races, at least one of the candidates has publicly supported legalizing cannabis for adults' use.

To date, 19 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults 21 and older. Voters in five additional states will consider legalization initiatives or referrals on Election Day: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Montpelier, VT — On Saturday, legal cannabis sales for adults 21 and over will begin in Vermont. 

“For years, Vermonters have voiced their support for allowing adults 21 and older to purchase cannabis from regulated, tax-paying small businesses. Now, Vermont has legalized cannabis and is well on its way to establishing a well-regulated, equitable market. We are very grateful to our allies in the state for all of their efforts over the years in support of sensible cannabis policies,” said Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project.

Last month, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board issued its first licenses for adult-use cannabis retail sales to Mountain Girl Cannabis in Rutland, a social equity applicant, and Flora Cannabis in Middlebury. Additionally, the Board granted permission for Ceres Med in South Burlington to transition from medical to adult-use cannabis sales. As reported by the Burlington Free Press, at least 30 applicants have applied for retail licenses, and more licenses are expected to be issued in the near future.

Adults 21 years of age or older with a valid ID will be able to purchase a total of up to one ounce of marijuana or 8,400 milligrams of THC in any other product.

The Marijuana Policy Project has advocated for cannabis policy reforms in Vermont for more than 15 years. The state legislature passed a limited medical cannabis law in 2004, decriminalized possession in 2013, and has gradually improved its cannabis policies in the years since. 

In 2018, Vermont successfully legalized possession and cultivation of cannabis for adults 21 and older, but the state did not act to legalize and regulate sales until October 7, 2020, when Gov. Phil Scott (R) announced that he would allow S. 54 — the bill to regulate and tax cannabis sales — to become law without his signature. This made Vermont the 11th state to regulate adult-use cannabis sales and the second state to do so legislatively rather than by voter initiative.

Starting tomorrow, there will be 15 states with legal adult-use cannabis sales. Four additional states (Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia) and Washington, D.C. have legalized cannabis for adults but sales have yet to begin. 

Voters in five additional states will consider legalization initiatives or referrals on Election Day: Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

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Washington, DC – Marijuana Policy Project President & CEO Toi Hutchinson issued the following statement on the conviction and sentencing of WNBA star Brittney Griner by a Russian judge in a case with global political implications:
 
“The Marijuana Policy Project stands with the millions of Americans, including the family and loved ones of Brittney Griner, calling for her immediate release. We unequivocally condemn this imprisonment of an American athletic hero and the incarceration of anyone for consuming cannabis, which has been used as a plant-based medicine for millennia. MPP vows to continue our fight to legalize cannabis and free those unfairly imprisoned for possession around the world and right here in the United States. We will not stop fighting until both the plant and the people are freed.” 
 
The Marijuana Policy Project issued its decriminalization report: Behind the Times: The 19 States Where a Joint Can Still Land You in Jail, in March of 2022. Nineteen states and the federal government continue to penalize simple possession of cannabis, with Black people being the primary sector of the population most affected by these injustices. Additionally, the ACLU’s report A Tale of Two Countries found that depending on the jurisdiction, Black people were up to ten times more likely to be arrested for simple marijuana possession compared to their white counterparts. 
 
We at the Marijuana Policy Project advocate for Brittney Griner’s release and continue our advocacy for national cannabis legalization.

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