On Monday, respected policy think tank The Brookings Institution published a paper analyzing Washington's implementation of the law passed in 2012 to regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol. The results: the state is doing well and is actively trying to learn from the process. The results could have far-reaching implications for marijuana policy reform in other states. Brookings’ Philip Wallach interviewed advocates, researchers, and government policymakers in Washington to learn about the state’s…

As we've reported previously, three cities in Maine could be voting this November on initiatives that would direct local police not to arrest adults age 21 and over for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Despite opposition from city government, law enforcement, and the Maine chapter of Project SAM, all three initiatives are gaining public support and making steady headway in the election process. Earlier this month, activists in the town of Lewiston turned in more than enough signatures to…

Over the weekend, one of the most popular newspapers in Oregon lent its support to Measure 91, which would make marijuana legal for adults in the state. Voters will decide on the initiative in November. From The Oregonian: Measure 91 would move Oregon from a hazy condition of almost-legalization to one of rational access guided by straightforward regulations and subject to sensible taxation.  In other words, it would force Oregon's 16-year-old marijuana experiment out of adolescence and into legal…

A debate between the candidates for the Republican nomination to become the next Governor of Vermont produced a pleasant surprise this weekend. The Associated Press reported that all three Republican gubernatorial candidates said they support ending marijuana prohibition. The momentum behind legalizing and regulating marijuana in Vermont seems to be growing with each passing week! The Vermont primary election takes place TODAY. Before you go to vote, please click here to view MPP’s voter guide for…

Proponents of Measure 91, which would make marijuana legal for adults in Oregon and regulate cultivation and retail sales, are up in arms at the discovery that  federal funds are being used to bring drug warrior Kevin Sabet and company to their state to fight against the initiative. [caption id="attachment_7968" align="alignright" width="300"] Anthony Johnson, Yes On 91[/caption] While being billed as nothing more than an educational tour, the two-day conference in Oregon will spend at least half…

As the Aug. 26 Vermont primary election approaches, it’s clear that momentum for ending marijuana prohibition in Vermont continues to build. Governor Shumlin’s administration is currently working with the Rand Corporation to study the potential impacts of marijuana regulation, and many legislators are already convinced that marijuana should be treated similarly to alcohol. If you have been wondering where candidates on your ballot stand on marijuana policy, today is your lucky day. Please click here…

Thursday marked the end of SB 1262 in California, as the Assembly Appropriations Committee failed to take a vote on the measure before deadline. Unfortunately, this means that another legislative session has passed without the enactment of sensible statewide regulations and clearer legal protections for medical marijuana providers. However, while SB 1262 was ostensibly written to address this widely agreed upon issue, the most recent version had a number of flaws that ultimately led to MPP opposing…

The Marijuana Policy Project has submitted our initial comments on the partial draft rules regulating medical marijuana manufacturers in Minnesota. The Department of Health is accepting public comments on these and other medical marijuana rules until further notice is published in the State Register. MPP will keep you appraised of timeline updates as we know more. If you are interested in commenting, please visit the Department’s site for instructions on how to do so. [caption id="attachment_7959"…

After more than three years and numerous delays, Delaware’s first pilot medical marijuana dispensary has finally been approved! On Monday, August 11, the Department of Health and Social Services finalized a two-year agreement with the aptly named First State Compassion Center. The center will be located at an industrial park on the outskirts of Wilmington, and will begin growing medical marijuana this fall. This is great news for patients who have been patiently waiting for legal access to their…

The three departments that oversee the Illinois medical cannabis program posted several important documents online on Friday, including cannabis patient applications, which are available here. Additional forms were also made available, including documents for physicians to use for recommendations, fingerprint consent forms, caregiver applications, frequently asked questions, and preliminary versions of applications for both dispensaries and cultivation centers. All those documents and other information…