FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Contact: Violet Cavendish
vcavendish@mpp.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project, the nation’s leading marijuana policy reform organization is launching a national search for a new executive director.

“We are excited to launch this search,” said Jeffrey Zucker, chair of the Board Search Committee. “As a movement, we are close to ending marijuana prohibition in the United States. MPP will continue to play an important role, and we are seeking candidates with experience, expertise, and passion for the issue.”

While the search is underway, MPP will reach out to prominent figures in the fields of politics, social justice, and business to ensure the most diverse and inclusive candidate pool possible. The search is expected to last approximately three months and potential candidates are encouraged to apply. MPP seeks candidates with political management, fundraising, and advocacy experience.

Matthew Schweich, the current executive director, will continue leading the organization until his successor has been named and will then focus his attention on the Michigan and Utah ballot initiative campaigns. Schweich will not depart MPP until after the November election.

“It’s been a privilege to lead this exceptional staff,” said Schweich. “After November, I plan to pursue other opportunities in politics. But first, I want to assist the new executive director during their transition and then help finish what we started in Utah and Michigan. I think both of those ballot initiative campaigns are very important for our movement.”

Schweich joined MPP in early 2015 as the director of state campaigns. He was the campaign director for the 2016 legalization ballot initiative campaigns in Maine and Massachusetts and also worked on the 2016 Nevada campaign. He was named executive director of MPP in November 2017. During his tenure in this role, MPP helped to pass a law making marijuana legal for adults in Vermont (the first time marijuana has been legalized legislatively) and helped coordinate the successful effort to renew the federal policy that protects state medical marijuana programs from federal interference.

“Throughout his time at MPP, Matt has contributed enormously to our success,” said Jeffrey Zucker. “He played a pivotal role in legalizing marijuana in Maine and Massachusetts. As our executive director, he guided the organization through a transition and maintained our track record of success. We thank him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to MPP.”

MPP provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, MPP complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Interested parties may apply here or contact edsearch@mpp.org.

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Founded in 1995, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is the nation’s leading cannabis policy reform organization. MPP has played a central role in passing dozens of cannabis policy reforms in states across the country, including 14 successful cannabis legalization campaigns, and also works to advance federal reforms.

Visit www.mpp.org for more information.