See below for the first email from South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws, the campaign working to legalize marijuana for adults and establish a medical marijuana program in the state! Click here to sign up for their campaign email alerts. And please consider donating today. This campaign is crucial to our goal of passing landmark federal marijuana reform through Congress. Thanks,  Matthew SchweichDeputy DirectorMarijuana Policy Project  ---------- Forwarded message ---------From: South Dakotans…

When MPP was founded in 1995, just one in four Americans supported legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults in the United States. The stigma created by decades of cannabis prohibition and misinformation had a stronghold on the public conscience, even as millions of victims were continuing to see their lives shattered by harmful and discriminatory drug war policies. One out of every six inmates in the federal prison system was incarcerated for a marijuana offense, and only a handful of states…

Ask your lawmakers to make marijuana policy reform a priority in 2020! Both chambers of the Virginia Legislature flipped in Tuesday’s General Election. Democrats now hold the majority in the state Senate and House of Delegates going into the 2020 legislative session. Marijuana reform efforts have stalled in previous legislatures, but with new leadership, there is new opportunity.Now is a great time to let your lawmakers know you want them to make marijuana policy reform a priority in 2020.There…

If attendees at the Iowa State Fair were looking for a candidate to end the federal government’s failed war on drugs, they would have few choices judging from the speeches at the Des Moines Register’s Political Soap Box.  Every four years, candidates for president flock to this quadrennial staple of the Iowa Caucuses for their 20 minutes before fairgoers for what is essentially presidential speed dating. One after the other over a few days, would-be nominees climb the stage and offer up their best…

Ask your lawmakers to support marijuana policy reform. Recently, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring submitted an op-ed to the Daily Press urging the state to "decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, address past convictions and start moving toward legal and regulated adult-use." Shortly after, lawmakers from both parties, including Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R), also voiced support for decriminalization. Let your Virginia lawmakers know it's past time to decriminalize…

Idaho continues to lag behind other states on marijuana policy reform — it is the only remaining state in the country that does not acknowledge any form of medical marijuana under state law. However, lawmakers this year have proposed two bills to move the state in the right direction. Rep. John Gannon (D-Boise) is cosponsoring legislation with Rep. Bryan Zollinger (R-Idaho Falls) to replace penalties for first-time marijuana possession offenses involving half an ounce or less with a civil infraction…

If you live in Virginia, contact your lawmakers and ask them to support marijuana reform bills this session! The Virginia General Assembly convened to kick off its 2019 legislative session on Wednesday, and several efforts are being made to reform the state's marijuana policies. Two bills, HB2079 and SB997, have been introduced to decriminalize marijuana, making simple possession a civil fine of $50 for a first violation instead of an offense punishable by up to 30 days in jail. Gov. Ralph Northam…

If you live in Kentucky, tell state lawmakers it’s time to reform marijuana laws! Kentucky’s legislative session begins today, and marijuana policy reforms are already among the top issues being discussed in Frankfort. Lawmakers have indicated that they will soon be introducing several marijuana policy bills, including a medical cannabis bill, a decriminalization bill, and an adult-use legalization bill. Please email your representatives and senators and urge them to support reforming marijuana…