March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women throughout history. In the fight for cannabis policy reform, women have played a vital but often overlooked role.

Influential women across the country have been trailblazers through their activism and dedication towards advancing humane cannabis policies. They're working as entrepreneurs, budtenders, cultivators, and policymakers. They're mothers, educators, and patients who believe in the power of this plant.

We have seen women take the helm and begin to redefine what good business practices look like in the cannabis industry as it continues to expand. And yet, gender disparities within the cannabis industry remain evident. According to the 2023 report, “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Cannabis Industry,” women account for only 39% of cannabis executives.

Here at MPP, we recognize that the progress we’ve made so far wouldn’t be possible without the immeasurable contributions and leadership of women. We’ve witnessed firsthand how women in leadership positions can exceed expectations and influence positive change, and understand that legal cannabis can’t reach its full potential without the participation of women at every level. Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, and their leadership is crucial for building a future where cannabis benefits everyone.

This Women's History Month, we honor the women who are working to create a more just and equitable cannabis industry. Join us in celebrating their work this month by:

• Supporting women-owned cannabis businesses — look for dispensaries, brands, and cultivators founded or led by women.
• Amplifying the voices of women in cannabis — share their stories, articles, and social media posts.
• Educate yourself about the women shaping the cannabis industry — read articles, listen to podcasts, and follow women-led cannabis organizations on social media.
• Advocate for policies that promote equity in the cannabis industry — this includes expungement for past marijuana offenses, access to capital for minority entrepreneurs, and diversity in licensing processes.

Let's empower these trailblazers who are building the future of legal weed.From ownership to leadership, women deserve a seat at the table.

Read more

Contact your senator today and ask them to support HB 371!

Big news! Today, for the first time, the Delaware House of Representatives approved (26-14) a bill – HB 371 – that would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults! 

HB 371 now heads to the Senate for consideration. Please email your senator today and urge them to support and pass HB 371 this year!

By passing HB 371 this year, Delaware will save thousands of residents from police interactions and citations for simple cannabis possession. This is particularly important as adult-use sales begin in neighboring New Jersey.

Notably, HB 371 does not set up a regulatory framework for adult-use sales. Those details are addressed in separate legislation, HB 372, which is awaiting consideration by the House Appropriations Committee.

Unless the legislature also passes HB 372, adults will still have no legal access to regulated cannabis in Delaware. For equity, public health, and public safety, it’s important that HB 372 also passes this year. Because HB 372 has taxes and fees, it will need a supermajority (25 votes) to pass the House. As you may recall, a comprehensive legalization bill, HB 305, fell just two votes short of the needed 25 votes to pass earlier this year.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you. Help make sure HB 372 crosses the finish line this year by urging your representative to vote YES!

Thank you to the lawmakers, advocates, and residents across the state who helped achieve today’s historic victory. Stay tuned for future updates!

Read more

Ask your state representative to vote YES on HB 305!

Big news! HB 305, a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults in Delaware, is scheduled for a vote by the full House of Representatives. The vote is scheduled for TOMORROW, Thursday, March 10. Debate begins at 2 p.m.

Email your representative and ask them to vote YES on HB 305, and then follow up with a call!

The bill needs to receive a supermajority (25 votes) to clear the House. It’s more important than ever that your lawmakers hear from you — ask them to legalize cannabis THIS YEAR by voting YES on HB 305!

HB 305 is the just, equitable cannabis policy that Delawareans deserve. It would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older, promote equity and inclusion in the legal industry from communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, and reinvest a portion of tax revenue into those communities through a Justice Reinvestment Fund. You can check out our full summary of HB 305 here.

A strong majority of Delawareans support legalization. Ask your state representative to listen to their constituents and vote YES on HB 305. 

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to your friends and family in Delaware or sharing this link on social media — mpp.org/LegalizeDE — and urging your contacts to help get HB 305 past the finish line.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

Read more

Ask your lawmakers to support HB 305!

Exciting news! Today, the House Appropriations Committee approved HB 305 — a bill to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults in Delaware. As you may recall, the House Health and Human Development Committee had already approved the bill in late January. Now, the legislation is cleared for a vote by the full House of Representatives.

Email your representative today and ask them to vote YES on HB 305!

The bill needs to receive a supermajority (25 votes) to clear the House. It’s more important than ever that your lawmakers hear from you — ask them to legalize cannabis this year by voting YES on HB 305!

HB 305 is the just, equitable cannabis policy that Delawareans deserve. It would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older, promote equity and inclusion in the legal industry from communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, and reinvest a portion of tax revenue into those communities through a Justice Reinvestment Fund. You can check out our full summary of HB 305 here.

A strong majority of Delawareans support legalization. Ask your state representative to listen to their constituents and vote YES on HB 305! Please help us spread the word by forwarding this message to your friends and family in Delaware to help get HB 305 past the finish line. 

Read more

Ask your lawmakers to support HB 305!

The House Health and Human Development Committee has scheduled a hearing for HB 305, legislation that would make cannabis legal for adults 21 and older and replace prohibition with a system of regulation that focuses on public health and equity. The virtual hearing will take place on Wednesday, January 26 at 11 a.m.

Please write your lawmakers today and ask them to support HB 305!

You can voice your support at the hearing by providing written and/or oral testimony. We particularly encourage testimony from supportive law enforcement, clergy, substance abuse and medical professionals, educators, and those who have been harmed by cannabis prohibition.

For more information on HB 305, you can check out our summary here. You can find some arguments in support of legalizing and regulating cannabis here.

Written testimony can be submitted by emailing it to HouseCommitteeComment@delaware.gov. Please specify the House Committee (Health and Human Development), the date of the committee meeting (January 26, 2022), and the bill number for which you are submitting public comment (HB 305). Submissions will be accepted in advance of the committee meeting and up to 24 hours after the hearing has concluded.

Oral testimony will be limited to two minutes. You can register to submit oral testimony here. Check out the guidelines under “Minutes and Supporting Documents” for more details on providing testimony.

Help us send a strong message to the General Assembly to end cannabis prohibition in the First State this year! Please show your support at the upcoming bill hearing, contact your lawmakers, and forward this message to your friends and family in Delaware.

Read more

Ask your lawmakers to support HB 305!

Exciting news! Rep. Ed Osienski (D) has just introduced HB 305, a bill that would make cannabis legal for adults 21 and older, replacing prohibition with a system of regulation that focuses on public health and equity.

The bill is broadly similar to last year’s legalization bill, HB 150, but includes some important changes including allocating seven percent of tax revenue from legal sales to a Justice Reinvestment Fund. You can check out our full summary of HB 305 here.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you — ask them to support HB 305 this session!

The bill will first be taken up by the House Health and Human Development Committee. Stay tuned for future updates about the bill hearing and how to raise your voice in support of equitable legalization this year.

By passing HB 305 this year, Delaware can further reduce police interactions and arrests for cannabis, boost public health and public safety by displacing the illicit market, create a new source of jobs and revenue, and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused in communities of color.

After you email your lawmakers, please share this message with your friends and family in Delaware and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

Read more

Please ask your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in 2022!

Last year, two Delaware House committees approved HB 150 — a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults. However, the legislature adjourned without further action on the bill.

Rep. Ed Osienski, sponsor of HB 150, plans to introduce a revised version of the bill again, with the aim of passing it this year.

The General Assembly convenes for its 2022 legislative session today. Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and let them know that you want them to equitably legalize cannabis for adults this year!

Be sure to stay plugged in to the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition email alerts for more updates once the bill is introduced.

Delaware does not have a ballot initiative process, so the legislature must act to bring equitable legalization to the First State. A strong majority of Delawareans support legalizing cannabis for adults, and it’s important that your lawmakers hear from you!

By legalizing cannabis this year, Delaware can further reduce police interactions and arrests for cannabis, boost public health and public safety by displacing the illicit market, create a new source of jobs and revenue, and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused in communities of color.

After you email your lawmakers, please share this message with your friends and family in Delaware and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in the First State!

Read more

Ask your lawmakers to legalize cannabis in 2022 without delay!

We’re just one week out from the Maryland General Assembly kicking off its 2022 legislative session, and cannabis legalization will be a major priority for the legislature this year.

Most recently, a bill — HB 1 — that would refer the question of cannabis legalization to Maryland voters on the November 2022 ballot has been pre-filed by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Luke Clippinger. The House has been interested in the pathway of referring the question of legalization to voters, as House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) announced in July 2021 that the House intends to pass a referendum bill this year.

While it’s encouraging that the House is committed to taking up adult-use cannabis legalization this year, HB 1, as currently written, lacks the major priorities that the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition has been advocating for. Most notably, HB 1 would not legalize cannabis possession until July 2023, does not include personal cultivation of cannabis, and does not specify that legalization must be rooted in equity.

It’s important your lawmakers hear from you. Please reach out to them today and ask that they legalize cannabis this year without delay!

Meanwhile, the Senate prefers to pass legalization outright through legislation. As a referendum alone will not implement an adult-use cannabis program that is equitable, implementing legislation that sets up the regulatory framework, tax structure, automatic expungement process, and provisions to ensure those who have been most impacted by prohibition benefit from the legal industry must also be taken up in 2022.

Please reach out to your lawmakers today and stay tuned for future updates.

Together, we can end cannabis prohibition in the Free State!

Read more

Urge your lawmakers to end cannabis prohibition in 2022!

In case you missed it, House Speaker Adrienne Jones (D) has announced that the House intends to pass a bill to refer legalization to voters on the 2022 ballot. The announcement also included the formation of a legalization workgroup to study the issue. The workgroup held its first meeting last week, which is available to view here.

As the workgroup begins to meet, the Maryland Cannabis Policy Coalition has created a list of priorities we will be advocating for to ensure that legalization in achieved in 2022 without delay, is equitable, and seeks to repair the past harms of cannabis prohibition. This includes:

• Ensuring any voter referendum is self-executing and legalizes possession and home cultivation with no further legislative action needed.
• If legalization is referred to the ballot in 2022, the legislature should also enact implementing legislation in 2022 to ensure legalization is rooted in social equity and reparative justice.
• Reinvesting the bulk of tax revenue into disproportionately impacted communities.

You can check out the full list here.

It’s important that your lawmakers hear from their constituents. Be sure to reach out to them today and ask them to ensure equitable legalization is achieved in 2022!

A strong majority of Marylanders support legalizing cannabis for adults, but the legislature must act to bring equitable legalization to Maryland. Please reach out to your lawmakers today and share this message with your friends and family in Maryland. Stay tuned for future updates!

Read more

Urge your members of Congress to support this long overdue legislation.

Today, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced a draft of their long-anticipated legislation to end federal cannabis prohibition.

In short, the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act would deschedule cannabis by removing it from the list of federally controlled substances, empowering states to decide their own cannabis policies. It would also put equity at the foundation of federal reform by ensuring restorative justice to those people and communities hardest—and most unfairly—hit by cannabis prohibition through expunging prior convictions and records, allowing people to petition for resentencing, and removing collateral consequences for those who’ve been criminalized. In addition, the bill would implement a framework for responsible regulations and taxes, with some of the tax revenue dedicated to grants programs intended to help equity applicants and those most impacted by the war on cannabis. Read a summary here.

Please ask your members of Congress to support the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act! 

Now that Democrats have the majority in both chambers, there’s a sense of hope among advocates that this kind of reform is attainable in this Congress. We’ll need to secure 60 votes in the Senate, which is a major undertaking, but certainly possible, representing a unique opportunity for politicians to work across the aisle and enact a commonsense policy that has broad popular support. And, although President Biden’s support for legalization has been lukewarm, Sen. Booker insists Biden’s stance in favor of “decriminalization” will be enough to advance the legislation.

But with 19 legal states, including over 43% of the U.S. population, and public support for support for legalization swelling to 69% in a recent Quinnipiac poll, something’s got to give. It’s hard to imagine that President Biden would veto a bipartisan cannabis reform bill should one land on his desk, especially given the role that cannabis prohibition plays in sustaining racial injustice in the U.S. 

MPP has been advocating for ending prohibition for over 25 years, and we’ll continue to work alongside elected leaders and advocates in support of this comprehensive reform measure. Please urge your federal lawmakers to support this legislation. Then, share the action with your friends, family, and social networks. We’ll continue to keep you informed of the bill’s progress and further opportunities to take action.

Read more