Ask your lawmakers to support HB 305!

Exciting news! Rep. Ed Osienski (D) has just introduced HB 305, a bill that would make cannabis legal for adults 21 and older, replacing prohibition with a system of regulation that focuses on public health and equity.

The bill is broadly similar to last year’s legalization bill, HB 150, but includes some important changes including allocating seven percent of tax revenue from legal sales to a Justice Reinvestment Fund. You can check out our full summary of HB 305 here.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you — ask them to support HB 305 this session!

The bill will first be taken up by the House Health and Human Development Committee. Stay tuned for future updates about the bill hearing and how to raise your voice in support of equitable legalization this year.

By passing HB 305 this year, Delaware can further reduce police interactions and arrests for cannabis, boost public health and public safety by displacing the illicit market, create a new source of jobs and revenue, and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused in communities of color.

After you email your lawmakers, please share this message with your friends and family in Delaware and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

Contact your legislators in support of the medical cannabis bill.

More than a year after Mississippi voters overwhelmingly approved an initiative to legalize medical cannabis, the Magnolia State remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law. Due to a technicality that overturned Initiative 65 (as well as the entire ballot initiative process), the patients of Mississippi continue to suffer needlessly.

Ask your legislators to restore the will of voters!

Legislators crafted a compromise bill in anticipation that Gov. Tate Reeves (R) would call a special session of the legislature last fall. But the governor never called the special session. There is a possibility that some legislators are getting cold feet and may not want to pass a medical bill or pass one that is so restrictive it does not resemble I-65 at all. The legislature has convened for its 2022 legislative session, and SB 2095 is the best legislation to accomplish the goal of medical cannabis in Mississippi. Click here for a bill summary.

The bill passed out of committee this afternoon and could get a floor vote as soon as tomorrow.

Reach out to your legislators right now to let them know you want an effective medical cannabis program. Without hearing from YOU (and your family and friends), the legislature may choose not to pass a medical bill or pass one that is so restrictive it will not meet the needs of the patients of Mississippi. Please continue to make your voices heard!

Let your lawmakers know you want them to expedite the implementation of retail sales!

Last year, Virginia made history by becoming the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults. While adults can now legally possess and cultivate cannabis in the state, other aspects of the law — such as details for establishing a regulated cannabis market — don’t kick in until 2024. And, nearly all of the cannabis sales provisions are subject to further approval by the incoming legislature and governor.

Let your lawmakers know that you want them to expedite cannabis sales and preserve equitable legalization in Virginia!

The sooner Virginia implements legal sales, the sooner it can provide residents with safe, regulated access to cannabis and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused through strong equity provisions.

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) has not been specific on equity provisions in the legislation he’d want to change, but stated, “All of that will be on the table. Again, I don’t look to overturn the bill, but I think we need to make sure that it works.”

To address the disproportionate harm caused to communities of color by decades of prohibition, it is imperative that Virginia’s legalization law maintains strong social equity provisions. You can check out MPP’s summary of Virginia’s legalization law here.

We also remain concerned about a provision in the law that criminalizes bringing small amounts of cannabis into Virginia for personal use. This provision requires re-enactment this year, and we will continue to push for it to be removed.

The legislature has just convened for its 2022 session. Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and let them know you want them to stand strong on an equitable cannabis industry and expedite cannabis sales in the Commonwealth. Please share this message with your friends and family in Virginia and encourage them to do the same!

Please ask your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in 2022!

Last year, two Delaware House committees approved HB 150 — a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults. However, the legislature adjourned without further action on the bill.

Rep. Ed Osienski, sponsor of HB 150, plans to introduce a revised version of the bill again, with the aim of passing it this year.

The General Assembly convenes for its 2022 legislative session today. Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and let them know that you want them to equitably legalize cannabis for adults this year!

Be sure to stay plugged in to the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition email alerts for more updates once the bill is introduced.

Delaware does not have a ballot initiative process, so the legislature must act to bring equitable legalization to the First State. A strong majority of Delawareans support legalizing cannabis for adults, and it’s important that your lawmakers hear from you!

By legalizing cannabis this year, Delaware can further reduce police interactions and arrests for cannabis, boost public health and public safety by displacing the illicit market, create a new source of jobs and revenue, and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused in communities of color.

After you email your lawmakers, please share this message with your friends and family in Delaware and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

Ask your state senator to vote “yes” on the medical cannabis bill!

While cannabis policy reform is sweeping the nation, Kansas remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law and one of only 19 that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis.

But with your help, this can be the year Kansas finally enacts a compassionate medical cannabis law! The legislature has convened for its 2022 legislative session, and the Senate is poised to act on a bill to legalize medical cannabis. The bill already passed the House of Representatives last year.

Ask your state senator to support a compassionate, comprehensive medical cannabis program.

Polling has shown that the majority of Kansas voters support legalizing cannabis both for adult use and medicinal purposes. Still, the Senate must act in order to bring this long overdue policy change to the Sunflower State.

After you reach out to your lawmakers, be sure to share this message with your friends and family in Kansas and encourage them to do the same!

Tell your legislators it is time to show compassion for our seriously ill patients!

While cannabis policy reform is sweeping the country, Kentucky remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law and one of only 19 that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis.

As more and more states move forward, be the voice that urges your legislators in Frankfort to pass a compassionate medical cannabis bill. The legislature has convened for its 2022 legislative session, and several cannabis policy reform bills have been introduced, including bills to legalize medical cannabis, legalization via a constitutional amendment, and legalization by the legislature.

Despite heavy opposition from key senators, bipartisan support for cannabis policy reform continues to grow. Meanwhile, the Kentucky Democratic Party is prioritizing getting the medical cannabis bill through this year.

Polling has shown that the majority of Kentucky voters support legalizing for medicinal purposes. Still, the legislature must act in order to bring this long overdue policy change to the Bluegrass State.

Make sure your lawmakers know this issue matters to voters; ask them to support cannabis policy reform:

Medical: Ask your state legislators to support a compassionate, comprehensive medical cannabis program.

Decriminalization: Let your lawmakers know it’s time to stop arresting marijuana consumers. Ask them to support changing the penalty for possession from possible jail time to a civil fine.

Legalization: Urge your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in Kentucky and legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults.

After you reach out to your lawmakers, be sure to share this message with your friends and family in Kentucky and encourage them to do the same!

Let your senators know you want a medical cannabis program for South Carolina.

Despite overwhelming popular support, South Carolina remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law. Let’s make 2022 the year that finally changes.

After seven years of relentless advocacy, Sen. Tom Davis (D) has been promised a Senate floor vote on S 150 — the Compassionate Care Act! The South Carolina Legislature has convened for its 2022 legislative session, and Sen. Davis’ medical cannabis bill carries over from last year, when it passed out of committee.

Ask your state legislators to support S 150 — and to enact a compassionate medical cannabis program.

If you have a personal connection to the issue — including if you have a serious illness and could benefit from medical cannabis — please fill out this form.

After you reach out to your lawmakers, be sure to share this message with your friends and family in South Carolina and encourage them to do the same!

Ask your lawmakers to support establishing an effective medical cannabis program and to stop criminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis!

While cannabis policy reform is sweeping the Midwest, Indiana remains one of only 14 states with no effective medical cannabis law and one of only 19 that still imposes jail time for simple possession of cannabis.

However, as more and more states move forward, it’s only a matter of time before Indiana improves its laws. The legislature has convened for its 2022 legislative session, and several cannabis policy reform bills have been introduced, including bills to legalize medical cannabis and decriminalize possession of small amounts of cannabis. 

Additionally, a bill that would begin setting up a regulatory framework for legal cannabis has also been introduced. While Gov. Eric Holcomb (R) has not been supportive of adult-use legalization, he did recently say that he’s on board with having lawmakers pass legislation to get the state ready for legal marijuana if federal prohibition is lifted. Meanwhile, the Indiana Democratic party is pushing for broader reform, calling on state lawmakers to end prohibition and legalize cannabis for adults. 

Polling has shown that the majority of Indiana voters support legalizing cannabis both for adult-use and medicinal purposes. Still, the legislature must act in order to bring this long overdue policy change to the Hoosier State.

Make sure your lawmakers know this issue matters to voters; ask them to support cannabis policy reform:

Medical: Ask your state legislators to support a compassionate, comprehensive medical cannabis program.

Decriminalization: Let your lawmakers know it’s time to stop arresting marijuana consumers. Ask them to support changing the penalty for possession from possible jail time to a civil fine.

Legalization: Urge your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in Indiana and legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults. 

After you reach out to your lawmakers, be sure to share this message with your friends and family in Indiana and encourage them to do the same!

Ask your legislators to support the voter referral to end cannabis prohibition!

The Iowa Legislature returned to work today, kicking off its 2022 legislative session. Sadly, the Hawkeye State’s elected leaders remain far behind the times when it comes to cannabis policy — Iowa hasn’t even decriminalized simple possession of cannabis, although voters support full legalization.

After years of legislative inaction, three state senators have proposed a new approach — referring the question of legalization to voters themselves. Sen. Joe Bolkcom (D), Sen. Janet Petersen (D), and Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott (D) have put forth a proposal to amend the Iowa Constitution that would provide, “the possession, growth, cultivation, processing, manufacture, preparation, packaging, transferal, consumption, and retail sale and purchase of cannabis, or products created from or including cannabis, by persons 21 years of age or older, shall be lawful.”

The proposal would first need to pass the Iowa Senate and House in two consecutive legislative sessions. (The governor does not have veto power over legislative referrals.) Then, it would need to be approved by voters. Outrageously, Senate Judiciary Chair Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) says he won’t even give the proposal a committee vote.

Iowa lacks a citizen initiative process, so the only way to change state law is for the legislature itself to pass a law, or for the legislature to refer the question to voters.

Let your legislators know voters deserve a say in cannabis policy. Ask them to work to pass the voter referendum.

You can also ask them to pass decriminalization in the meantime. Iowa is one of only 19 states that still arrests and jails its residents for simple possession of cannabis.

Please reach out to your legislators today and spread the word to other Iowans. It’s unconscionable that in this day and age, Iowans are still being deprived of their freedom for possessing a plant that is safer than alcohol. The overwhelmingly majority of voters agree — it’s past time for their elected representatives to listen.

MPP has played a leading role in enacting 10 of the 18 state legalization laws, along with numerous decriminalization and medical cannabis laws. In 2021, a record number of states legalized legislatively, and we laid groundwork for future victories in other states. This year, the movement achieved victories in ... 

New York

In March 2021, New York put an end to cannabis prohibition. Adults over 21 may possess up to three ounces of cannabis and 24 grams of concentrate. New York’s change in cannabis laws also includes provisions for automatic expungement and community reinvestment.

Virginia

On April 7, 2021, Virginia became the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults. The new law went into effect on July 1 and allows adults to legally possess and share up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to four cannabis plants at their primary residence. Legal cannabis sales are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2024, but the legislature could speed up — or stall — implementation. 

New Mexico

New Mexico also legalized adult-use cannabis in April 2021. Adults may possess up to two ounces and cultivate up to six mature plants. The new law went into effect in June 2021, and cannabis sales are set to begin no later than April 2022.

Connecticut

MPP is proud to have played a leading role in the effort to legalize cannabis in Connecticut. As of July 2021, adults over 21 are allowed to possess up to one and a half ounces of cannabis on their person and up to five ounces in a locked trunk or secure location in their home. Legal sales are expected to begin by late 2022. Adults will be allowed to cultivate cannabis at home as of July 2023.

The Connecticut legislation also included the expungement of lower-level cannabis records and dedicates a large amount of excise tax revenues into a Social Equity and Innovation Fund that will be used to promote a diverse cannabis industry and reinvest in communities that have been hit the hardest.

South Dakota

During the 2021 South Dakota legislative session, MPP — along with a coalition of groups — played a critical role in successfully defending the state's 2020 voter-enacted medical cannabis law. Gov. Kristi Noem, House Speaker Spencer Gosch, and their legislative allies attempted to severely delay implementation of the law via Speaker Gosch's House Bill 1100. In the end, the South Dakota Legislature did not pass any version of HB 1100, and as a result, the medical cannabis law approved by voters was not changed at all. This major victory for South Dakota medical cannabis patients and advocates was the result of many months of hard work.

Louisiana

As of August 1, 2021, the penalty for possessing up to 14 grams (or .49 ounces) of cannabis became a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100. For those who are unable to afford the fine, the court must use its discretion for an alternate penalty that includes community service and installment payments. Possession of up to 14 grams of cannabis is now enforced by a summons but not an arrest.

Louisiana’s most recent cannabis legislation does not reduce penalties for possessing more than 14 grams or for possession with intent to distribute or sell any amount. Until passage of the bill decriminalizing up to 14 grams, Louisiana was the incarceration capital of the U.S. Still, MPP believes that the state’s penalties for amounts over 14 grams are far too harsh.

Meet MPP's New President and CEO

Toi Hutchinson has officially joined MPP as our new President and CEO. A former Illinois state senator, she most recently served as senior advisor to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on cannabis legalization implementation.

“Toi’s unique resume is perfectly suited to lead MPP as we finish our reform work state-by-state across the country,” said MPP Board Chairman Sal Pace.

Toi earned a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences (English) from the University of Illinois and a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois College of Law. She is a member of the Chicago Federation of Women, the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership, Links International, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

MPP welcomes Toi Hutchinson!

MPP's New Southeast Legislative Manager

Joining MPP in December 2021, Kevin Caldwell leads the organization’s lobbying efforts in Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Kevin is the founder of CommonSenseNOLA, a grassroots cannabis reform organization. He served as a board member of Sensible Marijuana Policy for Louisiana from 2014 to 2020. Kevin has advocated on the municipal and statewide levels for medical cannabis and removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession, as well as other criminal justice reforms.

MPP's New Communications Director

In late November, MPP welcomed Denise Tolliver to serve as the organization’s new director of communications.

Before joining MPP, Tolliver worked as a reporter and anchor for television and radio and served as Communications Director and Chief of Staff on Capitol Hill and for the D.C. Council. While employed on the Hill, she was sought after by Judy Smith of “Scandal” fame to assist with the mayoral crisis in Detroit. Upon finishing the crisis position with the mayor, she then stayed in Detroit to perform crisis assistance with the new Detroit City Council President. After her last crisis assignment was completed, she returned to the Hill where she worked for Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Marcia Fudge, who now serves as the Housing and Urban Development Secretary.