Marijuana Policy Project

As we enter the season of giving, you can bring hope to those suffering under cannabis prohibition — and help your loved ones stay warm through the winter — all at the same time! Check out MPP’s lineup of sweatshirts, beanies, and more!
shop.mpp.org/collections/...

Trump Administration Sees Marijuana As A 'Hazard,' Federal Prosecutor Says, Drawing Criticism From Lawmakers And Advocates - Marijuana Moment Lawmakers and advocates are pushing back after a U.S. attorney announced his office will be aggressively prosecuting cannabis possession and use offenses on federal lands, stating that it’s the…

"It is stunning to hear U.S. Attorney for Wyoming Darin Smith brag about his intention to waste our tax dollars prioritizing prosecutions for cannabis possession on federal land." -Adam J. Smith, MPP's Executive Director
www.marijuanamoment.net/trump-admini...

President Trump Signs Ban on Most Hemp Products — Veterans’ Access Left Out A provision to ban nearly all hemp-derived products has been passed by Congress and signed into law by the president as part of a broader legislative package to reopen the federal government.

Americans across the country know that prohibition does not work, and these counterproductive moves by Congress won't stop us from continuing to fight for the rights of veterans, patients, and adult-use consumers.
blog.mpp.org/blog/preside...

Inaugural New Hampshire Cannabis Conference on Nov. 22! Don’t miss New Hampshire’s first-of-its-kind therapeutic cannabis conference, which is designed to foster education, connection, and open conversation about therapeutic cannabis!

Don’t miss New Hampshire’s first-of-its-kind therapeutic cannabis conference! With a theme of “Out of the Shadows, Into the Light,” the November 22 conference is designed to foster education, connection, and open conversation about therapeutic cannabis.
blog.mpp.org/blog/inaugur...

The Follow Up | Michigan Marijuana Tax | Season 9 | Episode 6 Michigan is imposing a major tax increase on cannabis sales to pay for road repairs.

Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies, discusses Michigan's move to increase cannabis taxes, which will take effect on January 1, 2025. This massive tax increase is expected to shutter businesses, destroy jobs, and drive more sales to the unregulated market.
www.pbs.org/video/michig...

Retail marijuana market likely coming to Virginia following election While it has been legal for adults to use and possess marijuana since 2021, there is no retail market in the state.

Virginia legalized possession and personal cultivation of cannabis for adults in 2021, and after years of waiting, the state could finally see legislation passed to allow safe, regulated cannabis sales!

www.wdbj7.com/2025/11/07/r...

Congress Abandons Effort To Let VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana On Veterans Day - Marijuana Moment Advocates are sharply criticizing congressional leaders for advancing a spending bill ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday that omits bipartisan provisions allowing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs…

"Denying our veterans access to a medicine that so many use to ease physical pain, or the trauma of PTSD, is straight cruelty." -Adam J. Smith, MPP's Executive Director
www.marijuanamoment.net/congress-aba...

Today, MPP joins Americans across the country to honor the courage and sacrifice of our nation's veterans. Medical cannabis has the potential to help veterans heal from trauma and improve their quality of life, and we will continue fighting until every veteran can access the medicine they need.

Youth Marijuana Use Has Declined Since Canada Enacted Legalization, Federally Funded Study Shows - Marijuana Moment A federally funded study out of Canada shows that youth marijuana use rates have declined after the country legalized cannabis—contradicting concerns voiced by prohibitionists. Using data from…

"A federally funded study out of Canada shows that youth marijuana use rates have declined after the country legalized cannabis—contradicting concerns voiced by prohibitionists."
www.marijuanamoment.net/youth-mariju...

Cannabis reform progress is under attack in multiple states These disturbing moves are also likely serving as trial balloons to test voter appetite for rolling back cannabis reform progress in other states, and MPP is working with allies to defend these…

Prohibitionist efforts to derail hardfought reforms are underway across the country, and at least four states are currently facing direct threats to voter-enacted cannabis laws.
blog.mpp.org/blog/cannabi...

Virginia election a victory for cannabis policy! The Old Dominion State voted overwhelmingly elected Abigail Spanberger (D), who supports legalizing adult-use cannabis sales.

Now it is time to implement the will of the voters by passing legislation for adult-use sales!
blog.mpp.org/blog/virgini...

Virginia's Newly Elected Governor Supports Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Sales - Marijuana Moment Efforts to legalize adult-use marijuana sales in Virginia got a boost on Tuesday with the election of Abigail Spanberger as the state’s next governor. The Democrat supports the reform, unlike…

Virginia legalized possession of cannabis for adults in 2021, but sales remain illegal and unregulated. That could finally change as Virginia's newly elected governor has voiced support for legalizing and regulating sales for adults!
www.marijuanamoment.net/virginias-ne...

Top Marijuana Advocacy Group Says Resisting Efforts To Overturn State Legalization Laws Must Be A 'Priority For The Entire Industry' - Marijuana Moment The head of a national marijuana reform advocacy organization says pushing back against recent efforts to undermine state-level legalization laws must be a “priority for the entire industry,” urging…

"This needs to be a priority for the entire industry." -Adam J. Smith, MPP's Executive Director
www.marijuanamoment.net/top-marijuan...

Maine and Massachusetts Initiatives Threaten to Re-Criminalize Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Adam J. Smith discusses the prospective ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts that would, among other things, re-criminalize adult-use sales.

Eliminating adult-use sales would be disastrous. Cannabis policy should be grounded in public health, public safety, and public access, and a well-regulated and sustainable legal industry is essential for all three.
blog.mpp.org/blog/a-messa...

Medical cannabis use should be approved in Wisconsin. It's about compassion. | Opinion Wisconsin is one of only 10 states that does not allow individuals suffering health problems to treat their condition with medical cannabis.

"This is not a partisan issue — it’s a moral one. For too long, the stigma associated with cannabis has prevented Wisconsin legislators from doing the right thing. The time to change that is now."
www.jsonline.com/story/opinio...

A Message from MPP's Executive Director Adam J. Smith discusses the prospective ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts that would, among other things, re-criminalize adult-use sales.

MPP's Executive Director Adam J. Smith discusses the prospective ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts that would, among other things, re-criminalize adult-use cannabis sales.
blog.mpp.org/blog/a-messa...

Idaho Medical Marijuana Campaign Launches Signature Drive For 2026 Legalization Ballot Initiative - Marijuana Moment An Idaho campaign has unveiled a newly certified initiative to put medical marijuana legalization on the state’s 2026 ballot. The Natural Medicine Alliance of Idaho (NMAI) on Wednesday announced the…

"An Idaho campaign has unveiled a newly certified initiative to put medical marijuana legalization on the state’s 2026 ballot."
www.marijuanamoment.net/idaho-medica...

Cannabis Use and Gun Ownership The U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari last week in a case challenging the constitutionality of a federal law that criminalizes gun ownership by cannabis users.

If you believe, as we do here at MPP, that American adults who own guns have the right to use cannabis, it certainly follows that cannabis users should have the same right to own guns as anyone else.
blog.mpp.org/blog/cannabi...

Adam Smith is the Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project in this 1v1 special report from Cannabis Coast to Coast News Executive Producer Jimmy Young. Adam had just sent out an open… The State of the Cannabis Industry with Adam Smith Executive Director MPP 1v1 CC2C News Special

MPP's Executive Director Adam J. Smith shares the vision behind his open letter to the cannabis industry, arguing that a combined effort is the only way to achieve real progress for all.

Read the letter here: blog.mpp.org/blog/letter-...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCMQ...

Ohio House passes bill that includes recriminalization In an 87-8 vote, the Ohio House of Representatives approved SB 56, which makes numerous changes to Ohio’s voter-approved cannabis legalization initiative.

Ohio's House of Representatives passed SB 56, which would make numerous changes to the voter-approved cannabis legalization law. Outrageously, it eliminates non-discrimination protections and prohibits numerous activities allowed by voters.
blog.mpp.org/blog/ohio-ho...

Ohio House Passes Bill To Remove Voter-Approved Marijuana Legalization Protections And Restrict Hemp Market - Marijuana Moment The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make significant changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law by removing several protections for consumers while…

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a bill with outrageous provisions that would take the state back to the days of arrests for possessing cannabis, and destroyed lives over a plant that is safer than alcohol.
www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-house-p...

An Open Letter to the Industry Many industries know that there are policies they want changed that they cannot credibly address, so they create advocacy organizations and pour millions of dollars into them to prop them up and give…

Independent advocacy organizations built this movement, and that work is not done. Prohibition, injustice, and inequity still linger — and if the industry fails, we all fail. Read the full letter on why industry and advocacy must succeed together: blog.mpp.org/blog/letter-...

Ohio Lawmakers Advance Bill To Scale Back Voter-Approved Marijuana Law And Impose Hemp Regulations - Marijuana Moment Ohio House lawmakers on Tuesday approved an amended Senate-passed bill that would make significant changes to the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law while incorporating a series of…

"It is profoundly disappointing to see the House Judiciary Committee advance legislation to roll back cannabis freedoms and protections that Ohio voters overwhelmingly approved." -Karen O’Keefe, MPP's director of states policies www.marijuanamoment.net/ohio-lawmake...

Ohio House may vote on re-criminalization today! Tell your state rep to stand with voters and oppose re-criminalization.

If you live in Ohio, contact your state representative today. Urge them to vote “no” on SB 56 unless all changes to Issue 2 are removed: act.mpp.org/a/save-issue2
blog.mpp.org/blog/ohio-ho...

FBI Report: Over 200,000 cannabis arrests in 2024 The FBI released data showing that more than 200,000 people were arrested for cannabis offenses in 2024. Nearly 90% of them were for possession.

"This country has spent too many generations locking up people for cannabis — and seriously disrupting the lives of those who don’t ever serve time — often costing them their jobs, children, housing, or a hoped-for future." -Adam J. Smith, MPP's Executive Director

blog.mpp.org/blog/fbi-rep...

Cannabis Advocates and Executives Discuss the Need To Support Advocacy for Further Reform Cannabis advocates and executives highlight the need to support policy reform advocacy.

The success of a safe, regulated, and equitable cannabis market depends on all of us working together!
www.igniteit.com/news/2025-10...

Legalizing Medical Marijuana Leads To 'Significant Reductions' In Opioid Prescriptions, Another Study Shows - Marijuana Moment Medical marijuana legalization is “associated with significant reductions in opioid prescribing,” yet another new study has found. Researchers at the University of Georgia and University of Colorado…

Another study showing that medical cannabis laws are associated with reduced opioid prescriptions.
www.marijuanamoment.net/legalizing-m...

#podcast #politics #Progressives #ProgressivePolitics #Democrats #Republicans #MAGA #Michigan #Marijuana #MarijuanaTax #PotForRoads #WorkingClass #Economy #CorporateGreed #CorporateCorruption… Michigan's New Marijuana Tax For Roads: Another Working Class Gut-Punch

In an interview with the Left of Lansing podcast, MPP's Karen O'Keefe talks about the newly passed 24% wholesale tax on adult-use marijuana sales to pay for roads in Michigan, explaining how this tax will hurt small businesses and consumers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEqe...

More Than 200,000 People Were Arrested For Marijuana In The U.S. Last Year, FBI Data Shows - Marijuana Moment Nearly 188,000 people were arrested over marijuana possession in the U.S. last year, according to the FBI’s latest annual crime report, and another 16,000 were booked for allegedly selling or growing…

According to recently released data from the FBI, over 200,000 people were arrested in 2024 for cannabis-related offenses. While 24 states have moved to legalize cannabis for adults, the harsh truth is that cannabis prohibition continues to shatter lives.
www.marijuanamoment.net/more-than-20...

An Open Letter to the Industry It’s rare to see an industry born from a movement.

"Neither industry nor advocacy will succeed alone." -Adam J. Smith, MPP's Executive Director
blog.mpp.org/blog/letter-...