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!

2018 was monumental for cannabis advocates in Utah, but there is more work to be done. One way of building support for Utah’s new medical cannabis law is to strengthen the community around it. NCIA’s inaugural Utah Industry Social is the premier opportunity for cannabis advocates and professionals to make meaningful connections, cultivate community, and learn from one another in a relaxed cocktail-hour setting. Tickets include appetizers, hosted bar, local music, and classic games. Will we see you there?

Utah Industry Social
January 29, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Salt Lake City
The Falls Event Center

Register now!

Register before midnight January 11 to get your tickets 15% off (regular price $25) OR join NCIA for complimentary tickets.

If you live in Rhode Island, use our simple email action tool to contact your state representative and senator and urge them to make legalization a priority in 2019.

Last week, Rhode Island’s 2019 General Assembly session officially commenced. It’s time to start putting pressure on legislators to make legalizing marijuana for adult use a top priority this year.

Take action now and send a message to your state legislators!

Now that state-licensed marijuana stores have opened in Massachusetts, and Connecticut’s new governor has pledged to make ending prohibition a top priority, there’s much speculation about whether Rhode Island will move forward this year.

Lawmakers are unlikely to act without pressure from their constituents. Take one minute to send your elected officials an email and let them know why it’s time to end the failed policy of marijuana prohibition.

We’ve been building momentum for legalization in Rhode Island for years, and we have a good feeling about this legislative session.

Let’s make it happen in 2019.

If you live in Indiana, ask your lawmakers to support a comprehensive medical marijuana program today!

Today marks the first day of Indiana’s legislative session. With the 2018 elections behind us, it’s time to push for medical marijuana in the Hoosier State. Lawmakers will feel increased pressure to reform Indiana’s outdated marijuana laws, especially since neighboring Ohio and Michigan have legalized medical and adult use marijuana, respectively.

Senate Democrats have made medical marijuana legalization part of their 2019 legislative agenda. Across the aisle, Republican Rep. Jim Lucas has filed legislation to allow medical marijuana.

If lawmakers hear from enough constituents, they will be more likely to support Rep. Lucas’ compassionate bill. Please contact your lawmakers today and ask that they support medical marijuana in 2019. Then, please share the link with your friends and family. Together, we can bring relief to thousands of patients in Indiana.

New rules mark the first statewide, comprehensive framework for on-site use locations

Yesterday, December 20, the Marijuana Control Board adopted rules that allow cannabis retailers to apply for licenses authorizing on-site use of cannabis by adults 21 and over. This is a major step forward for cannabis policy in Alaska and the United States.

The issue of on-site use came to the forefront over four years ago. Since voters enacted the state’s marijuana initiative, the only option for cannabis consumption was private residences. The new rules provide adult residents and tourists with a place to consume that complies with state and local law.

MPP would like to thank all those who provided testimony to the board in support and the many residents and businesses who worked toward a solution during these past several years!

A copy of the rules is available online, and MPP’s short summary of many of the key provisions is also available.

The regulations will next be reviewed by the state’s Department of Law and must be signed by Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer before taking effect. We hope that dispensaries in communities that support on-site use locations will be able to move ahead and prepare for tourist season in 2019 without delay.

Thanks again to all the supporters and those seeking this change in Alaska!

Ask the governor and Senate president to compromise on the details and bring legalization up for a vote!

As you may have heard, the New Jersey Legislature will not be voting on marijuana legalization before the year’s end. While there is political will to pass legalization in New Jersey, lawmakers couldn’t agree on the details — including a tax rate — this year.

If you're a New Jersey residernt, please call Gov. Phil Murphy at 609-292-6000 and Senate President Stephen Sweeney at 856-251-9801 and ask that they come to a compromise and bring legalization up for a vote early next year. Marijuana prohibition has cost New Jersey millions of dollars and ruined thousands of lives. It’s time for it to end.

In better news, New Jersey regulators recently doubled the number of medical marijuana dispensaries (“ATCs”) from six to a total of 12. Patients will soon have more access to purchase the medicine that they need.

But it’s important that New Jersey legalizes marijuana to further improve access to this life-saving plant. New Jersey’s medical cannabis law remains among the most restrictive in the nation, and it leaves behind most pain patients. Please, reach out to the governor and Senate president and ask that they work out the details to swiftly end marijuana prohibition. Then, spread the word to others in New Jersey who can raise their voices for humane marijuana policies.

We will need two-thirds majorities to override his veto — email your newly elected state legislators today!

On Friday, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu went on the offensive against efforts to legalize and regulate cannabis. He pledged to veto any legalization bill that reaches his desk, and he publicly asked the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery to join him in making “a strong stand” against reform efforts in the legislature. Gov. Sununu reportedly acknowledged that “there’s a good chance that veto could get overruled.”

He may be right — the gains made in the November election made it possible that we could achieve two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate. However, it won’t happen unless we convince undecided representatives and senators to vote in favor.

Please email your newly elected state representative(s) and senator today and encourage them to support the upcoming bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis.

Maddeningly, Gov. Sununu also announced that he is partnering with a well-known prohibitionist, Kevin Sabet, to oppose our efforts. “Kevin Sabet is engaging with us very aggressively,” Sununu reportedly said. “He’s very excited, he’s raised a lot of money nationally. He’s ready to make a strong stand here in New Hampshire. I think that could be a great use to us.”

After you email your state legislators, please call Gov. Sununu and express your frustration with his actions. You can also share your opinion in a tweet to @GovChrisSununu.

If you’re as angry as we are to hear that Gov. Sununu is inviting prohibitionist Kevin Sabet to New Hampshire, help us fight back by making a donation today!

LD 1539 improves Maine’s medical marijuana program for patients and industry

Today, the omnibus medical marijuana bill that was passed last spring goes into effect. The bill makes major improvements to Maine’s medical marijuana program. Among some of the changes, the legislation:

• removes the qualifying condition list so that any Mainer can use medical marijuana so long as their doctor thinks it would be helpful for them;
• eliminates the requirement that a patient must designate a caregiver or dispensary as their sole provider, allowing for more patient choice;
• adds two more dispensaries to the existing eight dispensaries and removes the cap on the dispensaries after January 1, 2021; and
• allows for caregivers to open storefront businesses.

More than two years since Maine voters legalized marijuana for adults, adult-use stores have still not opened, largely due to obstruction from departing Gov. Paul LePage. In the meantime, these changes will help improve and expand medical cannabis access, including by making it more affordable.

As for the adult-use program, the state has recently hired BOTEC, out of Washington State, to help write the rules governing commercial marijuana. A significant amount of “rulemaking” has been done at the committee level, and we hope this work is respected. We hope the new governor, Janet Mills, will work diligently to get Maine’s new program off the ground. Please send her team an email, asking for marijuana legalization to be a year one priority.

Adult-use sales are up and running in all three other states where voters legalized marijuana in 2016 — California, Nevada, and Massachusetts. In Nevada, sales began more than a year ago. Please ask Gov.-elect Mills to move forward promptly, and share this with friends and family in Maine.