Ask your legislators to end cannabis prohibition.

Next week, two legislative committees in Baton Rouge will be hearing testimony on bills that would bring Louisiana’s cannabis policies into the 21st century.

Ask your state lawmakers to support ending Louisiana's war on marijuana.

Ending cannabis prohibition will create jobs and economic opportunity, significantly increase state and local tax revenue, ensure product safety, and free up law enforcement resources so they can focus on real crime.

You can also go the extra mile by testifying in Baton Rouge in support of the bills. Here are the details:

Tuesday Hearings — Decriminalization + Voter-Referral for Legalization

What: House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee hearing on HB 652 — which would reduce the penalty for up to 14 grams of cannabis to a $50 fine, or an alternate penalty in lieu of a fine for those who can’t pay; HB 524, which would legalize cannabis for adults if approved by voters; and HB 243, which would legalize cannabis for adults if a separate regulatory bill is adopted.

Where: Committee Room 6, State Capitol, 900 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70804

When: Tuesday, April 27, committee meeting begins at 9:00 a.m.

Thursday Hearing — Legalization

What: House Agriculture Committee hearing on HB 637— which would legalize and regulate cannabis.

Where: Committee Room 3, State Capitol, 900 North Third Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70804

When: Thursday, April 29, committee meeting begins at 9:00 a.m.

Face masks are required due to the coronavirus, and temperatures will be checked. You can find more background information, tips, and talking points here.

And please don’t forget to write your lawmakers. Then, spread the word to others in the state.

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This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2021 (SAFE Banking Act) in a bipartisan vote of 321-101. The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The SAFE Banking Act would create protections for financial institutions that provide financial services to state-legal cannabis businesses. Currently, most banks are unwilling to work with the cannabis industry because they fear federal prosecution. Passing this legislation would also help to promote equity in the cannabis industry by offering small and minority-owned businesses access to banks and regulated financial services.

Banking legislation previously cleared the House in September 2019. The language of the bill was also included in two rounds of COVID-19 relief packages that were approved by the House. The Senate version (S. 910) was reintroduced on March 23 by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Steve Daines (R-MT) and currently has 32 cosponsors.

Passing the SAFE Banking Act is among MPP’s top federal priorities, and we’ll continue advocating for its success. We’ll keep you informed as the bill progresses through the Senate.

Happy 4/20 Eve!

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SB 711 would legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina — write your elected officials and urge them to support the bill!

After many frustrating years of inaction, North Carolina legislators finally appear to be seriously considering cannabis policy reforms. Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Raleigh) acknowledged that “public opinion is changing” on the issue and indicated that the legislature may be willing to consider medical cannabis legislation.

Since both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Republicans, it is essential that members of both parties support the proposed reform. Encouragingly, Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Raleigh) has introduced SB 711, a bipartisan bill that would legalize medical cannabis for patients with debilitating medical conditions and establish an effective regulatory system.

Please write your elected officials today and urge them to support SB 711!

You can read a summary of SB 711 here.

This bill would make North Carolina the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis. A poll conducted by Elon University in late January 2021 found that 54% of North Carolina residents support legalizing cannabis for use by adults, and 73% support making cannabis legal for medical use.

After you write your state legislators, please share this important news with your family and friends!

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Ask your legislators to support allowing medical cannabis in its natural form.

On Monday, lawmakers returned to Baton Rouge for their 2021 legislative session. More than a dozen cannabis policy bills have been proposed — including bills to legalize cannabis and to allow flower cannabis in the state’s medical cannabis program.

Louisiana is one of only two states whose comprehensive medical cannabis program prohibits cannabis in its natural, whole-plant form. Extracts are more costly, so this puts medical cannabis out of reach of many Louisianans. Louisiana also prohibits inhaled marijuana — other than nebulizers — which also prevents many patients from using the mode of administration that works best for them. HB 391 would change that by adding raw, flower cannabis to Louisiana’s medical marijuana program.

Ask your legislators to support HB 391, to allow patients to use the form of cannabis that works best for them.

We are also encouraged that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have sponsored bills to legalize cannabis for all adults. Rep. Richard Nelson’s HB 524 would refer the question of legalization to voters in 2022, while Rep. Candace Newell’s HBs 243 and 637 would operate together to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis. Call your state lawmakers to let them know it’s past time Louisiana replace its failed war on marijuana with a more thoughtful approach.

Then, please spread the word so that other Louisianans can raise their voices for humane, sensible cannabis policies.

Thank you.

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Go to nebraskalegislature.gov to find your lawmaker and ask them to support LB 474.

Last night, I was on a Facebook Live event with Nebraskan Families for Medical Cannabis, a coalition of patients and parents of children with epilepsy who are fighting to pass a medical cannabis law in Nebraska. Hearing their stories drives home why it’s so important for every Nebraskan to contact their state senator about medical cannabis. Click below to watch the video:

These moms and patient advocates were leaders in the effort to put medical cannabis on the ballot last year, but sadly, the state Supreme Court issued a flawed ruling that prevented Nebraskans from voting on the issue. Now these families are asking you and all Nebraskans to join them in their effort to pass LB 474 — a bill that would establish a responsible system of safe, legal access to medical cannabis in Nebraska — through the state legislature.

With the vote coming up soon, lawmakers want to hear how their constituents feel about the issue. It takes less than five minutes to contact your elected representative and leave a message in support of LB 474. Go to nebraskalegislature.gov, type in your address, and look up your state senator’s contact information. Let them know who you are, where you live, and share a quick personal story explaining why you think patients shouldn’t be criminalized for using medical cannabis.

The medical cannabis bill recently advanced out of a legislative committee, and the entire state legislature will debate the bill soon. It’s crucial that you contact your senator now before they vote. 

Make your voice heard! Please take action now and support these patients and families who deserve a compassionate medical cannabis program. 

Thank you.

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Ask your lawmakers to support changing the penalty for cannabis possession from possible jail time to a civil fine!

Several bills have been introduced to reform Texas’ outdated cannabis laws. Among the proposals are bills to expand the state’s current low-THC medical cannabis program; to decriminalize possession of up to an ounce of cannabis; and to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older.

House committees have approved bills to decriminalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis (HB 441) and a bill that would expand Texas’ current low-THC medical cannabis program by allowing more qualifying conditions and increasing the THC cap for medical cannabis products from 0.03 percent to 5 percent (HB 1535).

The legislative session is set to end on May 31. Ask your lawmakers to decriminalize cannabis and establish an effective medical cannabis program!

Texas is now 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. Make sure your lawmakers know this issue matters to voters; ask them to support decriminalization and an effective medical cannabis law this year!

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Ask your representative to vote “yes” on the Compassion Act.

Great news! For the first time ever, a medical cannabis bill is headed to the Alabama House floor.

Please send your state representative an email right NOW to ask them to vote “yes” on the Compassion Act.

This morning, the House Health Committee advanced the Compassion Act — SB 46 — to the full House of Representatives in a voice vote. The Senate has already passed SB 46 in 21-8 vote. (However, because the bill was amended in the House, it would have to go back to the Senate again.)

You can find a summary of the bill, which was amended in committee, here. While it’s more restrictive than is ideal, it is a dramatic improvement from the status quo. We’ve also seen states improve restrictive laws once they’re on the books. This is an essential step forward that will improve the lives of thousands of seriously ill Alabamians. So please don’t forget to contact your legislators today. Then, spread the word.

Alabama is one of only 14 states in the country that continues to criminalize the medical use of marijuana. Let’s make this the year that patients finally get the relief they deserve.

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Call (208) 334-2100 and ask the governor to protect the ballot initiative process.

The Idaho Legislature recently sent SB 1110 to Gov. Little’s desk. By creating extremely burdensome requirements for the signature gathering process, the bill is designed to effectively strip Idahoans of their right to initiate laws through the ballot process.

If SB 1110 is enacted into law, it will be extremely difficult to reform Idaho’s cannabis laws through a future ballot initiative.

Call Gov. Little’s office right now and deliver this simple message: “I urge Gov. Little to veto SB 1110.” Here’s the number to dial:

(208) 334-2100

Once you make the call, please forward this message to as many of your friends and family as possible and ask them to call, too. 

Thank you.

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Urge your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in 2022!

The Maryland General Assembly wrapped up its 2021 legislative session on Monday. A comprehensive bill—HB 32— was introduced and championed by Delegate Jazz Lewis, but unfortunately the bill was not taken up this session.

With the legislature unwilling to take up legalization this year, the focus now shifts to passing legalization in 2022.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you in the time leading up to the 2022 session. Email your lawmakers and ask them to make legalization a priority next year!

To go the extra mile, reach out to your lawmakers and schedule a meeting with them during the off-session. You can find tips for meeting with legislators here and effective arguments for legalizing and regulating cannabis here.

The Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition will continue to lay the groundwork for legalization in 2022. Make sure you’re plugged in to receive future updates. If you are a member of an organization that would like to join our coalition, we would love to hear from you.

Let’s send a strong message that equitable cannabis legalization must be a priority next year!

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This post is a remembrance of longtime cannabis policy activist Steve Fox from his colleagues at VS Strategies and Vicente Sederberg LLP.

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues,

We are truly heartbroken to share news of the passing of our partner and dear friend Steve Fox. Steve served as managing partner of VS Strategies since co-founding it in 2013, and he was a leader at Vicente Sederberg LLP since its formation in 2010.

We welcome the celebration of Steve’s life through the sharing of thoughts and memories, and we ask for respect and privacy for his family, friends, and coworkers who are still reeling from this loss. We have also started a GoFundMe page to support Steve’s wife and daughters as they navigate their way through this extremely difficult time—https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-steve-fox.

With wisdom beyond his years and a pioneering spirit, Steve was an “old soul” with a knack for seeing things in a new light. He was strongly principled, deeply empathic, and fiercely kind. And despite his usually soft-spoken and lighthearted demeanor, his opinions rarely went unheard and always carried significant weight.

His passion for politics and policy were exceeded only by his passion for people—his family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the multitude of strangers that he knew were being affected every day by politics and policy. He had a burning desire and uncanny ability to envision and effect positive change, both societally and in those closest to him. He was not just a remarkable human being, but a truly transformational leader.

Steve was always the first to volunteer and the last to seek credit. He was beyond generous with his time and patience, and perpetually understanding. He relished opportunities to provide counsel and guidance, and the feeling was mutual for those who received it. He was warmly regarded as a mentor by no fewer than a dozen current and former members of our firm, including all seven of us.

Steve was one of the first political professionals to enter the marijuana advocacy space. At a time when cannabis policy was just a blip on the political radar and most savvy up-and-comers were unwilling to dip a toe into the space, Steve dove in headfirst. While many viewed it as a losing cause that wasn’t worth the fight, he saw it as a cause worth fighting until it was won. And in working to legalize and regulate cannabis for medical and adult use, he found a way to fight simultaneously for several of his core values: To promote justice and compassion, to advance freedom and liberty, and to nurture and inspire the human spirit. Humbly righteous, judiciously aggressive, and relentlessly ethical, he was committed to doing the right thing, doing it the right way, and doing whatever it takes to get it done.

When he joined the Marijuana Policy Project in 2002, Steve was the only full-time cannabis lobbyist on Capitol Hill. He would remain at the forefront of the cannabis policy reform movement for nearly two decades, playing pivotal roles in several major victories at the federal and state levels.

Steve was a lead drafter of Colorado’s historic Amendment 64, which legalized cannabis for adult use, and he managed all aspects of the successful campaign behind its passage and implementation. He also conceptualized and co-founded Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), which laid a lot of groundwork for the legalization effort and contributed to a seismic shift in the U.S. cannabis policy debate. In 2009, he co-authored the book “Marijuana Is Safer: So why are we driving people to drink?,” which is based on the SAFER strategy.

Steve was always thinking step ahead of the rest. Long before cannabis was legalized, he envisioned a legal, organized, and responsible cannabis industry. He played leading roles in conceptualizing and establishing several of the nation’s largest and most influential cannabis trade organizations, including the National Cannabis Industry Association, the Cannabis Trade Federation, and the U.S. Cannabis Council. He regularly led working group meetings and calls, and he was a frequent speaker at cannabis conferences.

Steve’s role in cannabis community cannot be overstated. He was a trailblazer in the movement to end prohibition, and he was an architect and caretaker of the legal industry that is quickly replacing it. He beat the path, built the shelter, and worked tirelessly to make it as welcoming, accessible and beneficial as possible. He always put the mission—the wellbeing of others and the betterment of society—ahead of himself.

No one was more reluctant to sing their own praises while being so deserving of a louder refrain.

In 2013, Steve received a highly esteemed award from the Drug Policy Alliance in recognition of his long-term spearheading of the Colorado legalization effort. With an audience of hundreds and the spotlight squarely on him, he used the better part of his brief acceptance speech to give recognition to the people and organizations who had supported and worked alongside him. He reserved only the final thought for his own personal message and dedication. It was to his parents, for raising him to believe in the Jewish philosophy “Tikkun olam”—to “repair or heal the world” through beneficial and constructive acts. That is what drove Steve to take on the cause of cannabis policy reform. And it was what drove Steve to be the person he was.

Tikkun olam. Mission accomplished, dear friend.

Shawn Hauser
Josh Kappel
Andrew Livingston
Christian Sederberg
Mason Tvert
Brian Vicente
Jordan Wellington

And the entire VSS and VS family

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