If you live in D.C., ask your councilmembers to support the Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2019 today!

Yesterday, Councilman David Grosso introduced a bill to tax and regulate marijuana for adults 21 and older in the District of Columbia! Provisions in the bill also include establishing an automatic expungement program for individuals with past marijuana convictions.

While Initiative 71 legalized the possession and cultivation of limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older, Congress has blocked the District from taxing and regulating sales. But, with change in congressional leadership, Councilman Grosso said the prospects of passing legalization legislation are stronger. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also been vocal about her plans to tax and regulate marijuana in the District.

Urge your councilmembers to support the Marijuana Legalization and Regulation Act of 2019 to tax and regulate marijuana sales for adults 21 and over!

With no lawful place to purchase non-medical cannabis, D.C. has seen a proliferation of "grey market" operators and a significant increase in arrests for the distribution of marijuana. Regulating and taxing the marijuana market will put the market in the hands of licensed businesses, leading to safer outcomes for consumers and the community, while bringing millions of dollars in tax revenue and hundreds of jobs to the District.

It's important your councilmembers hear from as many constituents as possible. Please contact them today! Then, forward this message to your family and friends in D.C.

Lawmakers reconvening for 2019 legislative session. If you live in South Carolina, click here to voice your support for medical cannabis in South Carolina!

Lawmakers are reconvening this week in Columbia as the 2019 legislative session kicks off. Two bills have already been introduced that would establish a medical cannabis program, with more on the way. This could be a big year for patients seeking access to medical cannabis in the Palmetto State.

Make sure lawmakers hear from you in support of a medical cannabis program in South Carolina.

The two bills that have already been introduced, one by Rep. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers and another by Rep. J. Todd Rutherford, would both create programs that are similar in many ways to the medical cannabis laws in 32 other states and Washington, D.C. In addition, Sen. Tom Davis and Rep. Peter McCoy, who sponsored legislation last year, are also expected to introduce their own legislation measures shortly. Similar bills passed out of the House and Senate committees last year, but didn't receive a floor vote before adjournment.

Make sure your lawmakers heard about a poll recently published by Benchmark Research, which found that 72% of South Carolinians, including 63% of Republicans, support providing access to medical cannabis for patients. Support is strong, and it's time to get it done.

Please forward this message to friends, family, and supporters in South Carolina.

If you live in Pennsylvanis, let your lawmakers know it’s time to stop jailing marijuana consumers.

With Pennsylvania’s legislative session just getting underway, it’s already clear that marijuana policy reform is going to be a hot topic of discussion.

At least two legalization bills will be introduced, and Gov. Tom Wolf (D) now says the state should take a “serious and honest look” at ending marijuana prohibition. However, significant obstacles remain, not least of which is opposition from legislative leaders.

That’s why it’s so important you reach out to your state lawmakers. Let them know it’s time to end cannabis prohibition and replace it with thoughtful regulation and taxation.

Unlike Michigan and most other states that have legalized marijuana for adults’ use, Pennsylvania lacks a voter initiative process. That means the only way to end prohibition — or to decriminalize cannabis — is through the legislature.

So, please take a minute to make your voice heard. Your lawmakers represent you, and they want to know how their constituents feel about this issue.

Then, please pass on this message so your friends and family can also speak out against the disastrous war on marijuana.

If you live in Maryland, let your lawmakers know you want them to pass a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in 2019!

The Maryland General Assembly convenes today, and discussion of legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana in the state has already begun. Just last week, House Speaker Mike Busch and Senate President Mike Miller announced plans to create a work group to study how to best implement the legalization of marijuana.

Please ask your lawmakers to support ending marijuana prohibition for adults moving forward and ensure that those harmed by prohibition in the past are able to clear their records.

Prohibition sends an incredible number of people through the criminal justice system, and the collateral consequences can have life-altering effects. Baltimore Fishbowl recently reported that post-decriminalization there is still a huge racial disparity in Baltimoreans being arrested for marijuana.

By legalizing, taxing, and regulating marijuana with measures to expunge records, the number of marijuana-related arrests will be reduced, and those harmed by prohibition in the past can move on with their lives. It will also free up resources so police can focus on more serious crimes.

It is important your lawmakers hear from as many constituents as possible. Please contact your lawmakers today. Then, forward this message to your family and friends in Maryland. Together, we can end prohibition in 2019!

If you live in South Dakota, ask your lawmakers to support marijuana decriminalization.

The South Dakota Legislature begins its legislative session today. Unfortunately, marijuana policy reform isn’t on the docket. In fact, just like in 2018, there are no marijuana policy reform bills filed in 2019.

That’s where you come in — ask your lawmakers today to support the decriminalization of marijuana with our easy-to-use email system.

No adults should face jail time for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Twenty-three other states have stopped jailing marijuana consumers and it’s time for South Dakota to do the same.

So please, reach out to your local representatives and tell them why you support decriminalizing marijuana in South Dakota. After you reach out, share this link with friends and family. Together, we can bring sensible marijuana policy to South Dakota.

If you live in Kentucky, tell state lawmakers it’s time to reform marijuana laws!

Kentucky’s legislative session begins today, and marijuana policy reforms are already among the top issues being discussed in Frankfort. Lawmakers have indicated that they will soon be introducing several marijuana policy bills, including a medical cannabis bill, a decriminalization bill, and an adult-use legalization bill.

Please email your representatives and senators and urge them to support reforming marijuana laws in 2019!

Although we support all of these bills, we believe the bill that has the strongest chance of passing in 2019 is the medical cannabis bill that will soon be introduced by Republican Reps. Jason Nemes and Diane St. Onge. A few months ago, Rep. Nemes confidently predicted that it would pass the legislature in 2019. However, we know that the effort will face strong opposition in the Senate, where Majority Leader Damon Thayer recently said, “I don't see the votes for medical marijuana yet.”

In order for this bill to pass, legislators will need to hear an outpouring of support from their constituents. After you write your elected officials, please share this message with your friends and family!

If you're a Minnesota resident, contact your newly elected state legislators today — tell them it’s time for Minnesota to legalize and regulate cannabis!

With the dawn of a new legislative session — and a newly elected governor who supports marijuana legalization — there is renewed hope that the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes may have a path to legalizing and regulating marijuana.

MPP is thrilled to announce we’re bringing on attorney Jason Tarasek as our Minnesota political director. Jason is lobbying lawmakers and working with allies to build a strong coalition to legalize adult-use cannabis. If you’re a member of an organization that might consider supporting legalization, let Jason know.

We’re also looking to engage community leaders who support regulating marijuana — such as local officials, members of the clergy, law enforcement, civil rights leaders, educators, and medical professionals. If you are one of those individuals, or if you know one who is up for supporting the effort, please reach out, too.

And we can’t forget the importance of grassroots pressure. It’s crucial that lawmakers hear that their constituents want them to end the disastrous war on marijuana. You can use our free, automated system to send an email to your newly elected legislators.

Finally, please consider contributing to our Minnesota effort to end cannabis prohibition and sharing this message with friends and family so that they, too, can get involved in this campaign for humane marijuana policies.

If you live in Vermont, contact your newly elected state legislators today — tell them it’s time for Vermont to finish the job and regulate cannabis in 2019!

Cannabis has been legal for adults in Vermont to grow and possess in limited quantities since July 1, 2018, but our work in Montpelier is far from complete. Since policymakers have not yet created a legal, regulated cannabis market, Vermonters continue to miss out on the business and job opportunities, tax revenue, consumer protections, and other benefits that are already being realized in other U.S. states and Canada.

Vermont’s legislative session starts tomorrow, January 9. Please email your newly elected state legislators today and urge them to support efforts to regulate cannabis in 2019!

Now that retail stores have opened in Massachusetts, it’s clear that the political winds in Montpelier are blowing strongly in the right direction. Unfortunately, Gov. Phil Scott still has not come around in support of cannabis regulation, and we know that the prohibitionists won’t go away without a fight. Please help us finish the job and make history by contributing to support our efforts!

After you email your state legislators and make a contribution to our campaign, please share this message with your family and friends and encourage them to join the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana!

If you live in Connecticut, please contact your newly elected state legislators today and urge them to support legalizing and regulating marijuana.

Now that Connecticut has elected a pro-legalization governor, it’s clear that ending marijuana prohibition will be on the legislature’s agenda for 2019. Governor-elect Ned Lamont will be inaugurated tomorrow, January 9, and the new legislature will formally begin its work.

Contact your state legislators today and urge them to support the upcoming legalization bill!

After years of frustration for advocates, the wind in Hartford finally appears to be blowing in a great direction. Last week, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz joined the growing chorus of support for legalization and regulation. However, we know that the prohibitionists won’t go down without a fight. Please donate to support our work and help Connecticut make history in 2019!

After you email your state legislators and make a contribution to our campaign, please share this message with your family and friends and encourage them to join the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana!

If you live in Delaware, please contact your lawmakers today and urge them to pass a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in 2019!

The Delaware General Assembly convened to kick off its 2019 legislative session today! Several new lawmakers were elected on Election Day, and popular support for legalization continues to grow.

Let your state lawmakers know you want them to make legalizing marijuana for adult use a priority this year.

Ending prohibition in 2019 would put an end to the underground marijuana market and reduce the number of marijuana-related arrests. The sooner the state acts, the sooner it will be able to generate millions of dollars in revenue.

You can also take action and show your support by attending Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network’s Citizens’ Cannabis Lobby Day 19. Register to attend here.

When: Thursday, January 10, 2019 — 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901

It is important legislators hear from as many constituents as possible. Contact your lawmakers today and mark your calendars for Citizen’s Lobby Day 19. Then, please forward this message to your network in Delaware.

Together, we can end prohibition in 2019!