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On account of the COVID-19 pandemic, many campaigns have had to throw in the towel on qualifying state initiatives for the ballot this election cycle — but not New Approach Montana. Instead, the campaign, which MPP is helping to lead, has come up with innovative approaches for collecting signatures as it races against a deadline to qualify for the 2020 ballot.

This includes a new opportunity for Montana voters: signing the petitions from home. Use the link below to download and print using your printer or to request that the campaign mail your petitions.

The campaign’s new website allows Montana residents to choose between two options to sign petition documents remotely. Voters can request a mailed packet that includes instructions, printed petition documents to sign, and a pre-addressed, pre-paid envelope to return the signed documents to the campaign. The other option allows voters to print the documents at home, sign, and return them by mail. It has never been easier to sign a ballot initiative petition in Montana. If you have any questions, just email the campaign at info@newapproachmt.org.

But New Approach Montana needs your help to spread the word. We're requesting that you forward this email to anyone you know in Montana. Given the delay to the start of the signature drive, each signature could be the difference between qualification or failure.

Thank you in advance for assisting this important campaign.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of our lives, including our democratic institutions and processes. Traditional methods of gathering voter signatures for ballot petitions are unsafe, and as a result, ballot initiative campaigns have been forced to search for alternative ways to meet petition gathering requirements without jeopardizing public health.

New Approach Montana, which is working to put two marijuana legalization initiatives on the November ballot, recently filed a lawsuit seeking a legal remedy that would allow the campaign to gather signatures through a secure, online system.

The right of Montanans to petition their government and enact laws approved by voters is enshrined in the state constitution. The campaign is hopeful that state courts will agree that electronic signatures are the best way to protect both the safety of Montana residents as well as their democratic right to self-governance.

We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. We hope you and your family remain safe and healthy during these difficult times.

Thank you.

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We hope you and your family are safe and well.

Public health guidelines and safety concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic have made traditional methods of gathering voter petitions impossible. As a result, signature drives for ballot initiatives all across the country have been severely impacted.

Though the chances of success were slim, leaders with Missourians for a New Approach explored a number of legal avenues that would allow the campaign to resume, including the possibility of electronic signatures. However, no option proved feasible, and with the May 3 deadline approaching, the effort to put legalization on the ballot in 2020 has come to an end.

Though the outcome is disappointing, public support for reform will remain strong, and the groundwork for a future push to legalize and regulate marijuana for adults in Missouri has been laid. National groups, including MPP, are committed to redoubling our efforts to pass a legalization law in Missouri at the next available opportunity.

We are grateful to each person who supported, volunteered, or worked for this campaign, and we're proud of what it accomplished. These are challenging times, and it may take longer than we had hoped, but sensible marijuana policy reform will prevail in Missouri.

Thank you.

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Medical cannabis delivery and curbside pickup will be available to registered D.C. patients!

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, these measures went into effect today and will expire either August 12 or 45 days after D.C.’s public health emergency order is lifted.

Under the emergency rulemaking announced by Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Department of Health, D.C.’s seven licensed dispensaries, under a series of regulations, are permitted to:

• Deliver medical cannabis to registered qualifying patients and caregivers at a D.C. residential address between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Dispense medical cannabis through curbside pickup or at-the-door pickup to a registered patient or caregiver.

You can find a list of licensed dispensaries in D.C. here.

These actions are critically important to ensure patients can access their medicine while promoting social distancing. A number of states with medical cannabis programs have already implemented these measures in response to coronavirus.

Thank you to everyone who took action to encourage Mayor Bowser to implement these measures. Be sure to share this exciting news with your family and friends in the District!

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