Let your lawmakers know you want them to expedite the implementation of retail sales!

Last year, Virginia made history by becoming the first state in the South to legalize cannabis for adults. While adults can now legally possess and cultivate cannabis in the state, other aspects of the law — such as details for establishing a regulated cannabis market — don’t kick in until 2024. And, nearly all of the cannabis sales provisions are subject to further approval by the incoming legislature and governor.

Let your lawmakers know that you want them to expedite cannabis sales and preserve equitable legalization in Virginia!

The sooner Virginia implements legal sales, the sooner it can provide residents with safe, regulated access to cannabis and begin to repair the decades of harm cannabis prohibition has caused through strong equity provisions.

Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) has not been specific on equity provisions in the legislation he’d want to change, but stated, “All of that will be on the table. Again, I don’t look to overturn the bill, but I think we need to make sure that it works.”

To address the disproportionate harm caused to communities of color by decades of prohibition, it is imperative that Virginia’s legalization law maintains strong social equity provisions. You can check out MPP’s summary of Virginia’s legalization law here.

We also remain concerned about a provision in the law that criminalizes bringing small amounts of cannabis into Virginia for personal use. This provision requires re-enactment this year, and we will continue to push for it to be removed.

The legislature has just convened for its 2022 session. Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and let them know you want them to stand strong on an equitable cannabis industry and expedite cannabis sales in the Commonwealth. Please share this message with your friends and family in Virginia and encourage them to do the same!

Read more

Contact your lawmakers today and ask them to end cannabis prohibition.

Wyoming currently trails far behind other states when it comes to sensible cannabis policies. That could change this year! A bill—HB 209—that would legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults has been introduced.

Top lawmakers, including the House Speaker and Judiciary Committee chairman, have sponsored the legislation. The Judiciary Committee is expected to hold a hearing on the bill this Friday.

It’s important that your lawmakers hear from you that you want them to allow adults to have access to safe, legal cannabis!

Wyoming is one of just 14 states with no medical cannabis law, and one of only 19 that still jails its residents for simple possession of cannabis. Meanwhile, its neighbors in Colorado, South Dakota, and Montana have all legalized cannabis for adults. A recent poll found that 54 percent of Wyomingites support legalizing personal possession of cannabis for adults.

Ask your lawmakers to follow the will of the majority of Wyomingites and legalize and regulate cannabis for adults this year!

Legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults would not only reduce the number of cannabis-related arrests in the state and generate a new source of revenue, but it would also provide adults with safe, regulated access to cannabis—including those who could benefit from cannabis medically.

After you reach out to your lawmakers, please forward this message to your friends and family in Wyoming and encourage them to do the same.

Read more

Contact your lawmakers and ask them to support legalizing cannabis!

The Virginia Legislature convenes for a special session tomorrow to focus on budgeting, criminal justice, and police reform. There is increasing momentum from elected officials to consider cannabis legalization during the special session!

Both the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and Attorney General Mark Herring have included cannabis legalization in their list of priorities for the special session, and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and legislative leaders asking them to legalize cannabis during the session.

Meaningful police reform must also include ending cannabis prohibition. Let your lawmakers know you want them to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older!

Virginia has taken big strides in cannabis policy reform this year, becoming the 27th state to decriminalize cannabis and making improvements to its medical cannabis program.

Still, legalization is needed to further reduce cannabis-related arrests, remove cannabis as a justification for police interactions, and displace the illicit market by providing adults safe, regulated access.

Polling has shown that 61 percent of Virginians support ending cannabis prohibition. Reach out to your lawmakers to ask them to support legalizing and regulating marijuana during the special session. Please forward this message to your family and friends in Virginia and encourage them to do the same.

Together, we can end prohibition in Virginia!

Read more