Gov. Chris Sununu said “every idea should be put on the table” — submit written testimony urging the commission to recommend cannabis legalization as part of police reform! Last week, a new state commission began meeting to consider issues related to criminal justice policy reform in New Hampshire. Created by executive order by Gov. Chris Sununu, the Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community, and Transparency has been tasked with considering several issues including “the current state…

Contact your representatives today and urge them to pass S. 294! Last week, the Vermont Senate passed S. 294, a bill that would require the automatic expungement of all cannabis possession offenses. The bill also includes a provision that would decriminalize possession of cannabis in amounts that are up to twice the legal limit for adults. This important bill faces an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives. Please contact your representatives right now to ask for their support! If S. 294…

I just spent the last two nights immersed in work that is sadly too familiar. I found myself once again providing assistance to lawyers representing an African American family who had lost a loved one at the hands of the police. So often, I am drawn back to where my career began over three decades ago as a young civil rights lawyer taking on cases involving police brutality and the death penalty. For me, there was little distinction between Black and Brown people losing their lives on the street…

By Steve Hawkins, executive director, Marijuana Policy Project The coronavirus crisis has abruptly forced all Americans to reexamine our priorities. Entire sectors of the economy have been shuttered as we reduce contact between people to flatten the curve and reduce the death toll. Elected officials and regulators, in particular, must reevaluate a wide range of government policies to ensure a swift, coordinated, and appropriate response to the pandemic. One public policy that offers no benefit…

With the majority of Americans now supporting marijuana legalization, and with legalization being a key component of broader criminal justice reform — a top issue among voters — primary constituents want to hear where candidates stand on our issue. As MPP’s director of federal policies, I am currently on the ground for primary week in New Hampshire, attending campaign events and town halls all over the state and relentlessly pursuing the Democratic presidential hopefuls concerning their positions…

Ask your lawmakers to support legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults 21 and older! On Monday, January 13, Sen. Jeff Brandes (R) introduced a bill, SB 1860, to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older. A House companion bill, HB 1389, was also introduced. Meanwhile, it was announced this week that marijuana legalization will not make it to the ballot for voters to decide on in 2020. However, the state legislature could still legalize cannabis for adult use. Ask your lawmakers…

Ask your lawmakers to support SB 2! The General Assembly kicked off its 2020 legislative session this week, and there is a real possibility that Virginia could decriminalize marijuana possession this year. To turn this possibility into a reality, lawmakers need to hear this is a priority for their constituents. That's where you come in. Let your legislators know you want them to support SB 2 to decriminalize marijuana in 2020! Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) has filed a bill — SB 2 — that would decriminalize…

After a dozen hours of Democratic presidential candidate debates, there has been virtually no discussion about cannabis policy reform, leaving advocates sincerely disappointed. At a time when several pieces of cannabis legislation are pending in Congress, the absence of any cannabis-focused discussion is even more frustrating. Any list of issues important to Democratic primary voters would have to include not only the broad topic of criminal justice reform, but also the more narrow issue of cannabis…

With the New York Legislature in the final weeks of its 2019 legislative session, we need you to take action NOW to help get the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act across the finish line. Just last week, the Illinois Legislature passed a landmark cannabis regulation bill, and New York can do the same — if we can get lawmakers to act! In fact, New York's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act closely mirrors the Illinois legislation — with far-reaching expungement provisions for prior convictions,…

If you live in Maine, click here to reach out to your lawmakers today. Aside from implementing Maine's new adult-use marijuana law, there are other marijuana policy bills being heard in Augusta. Four Maine legislators, from both parties, have introduced bills that would help Mainers with past marijuana convictions. You can read more the bills and sponsors here. Earlier this month, the Portland Press Herald published an editorial in favor of these reforms, saying: "Times change, and laws need to…