About this Organization
The Drug Policy Alliance is among the most prominent organizations for drug policy reform in America. The group was founded in 2000 and its focus spans from medical marijuana to youth drug education.
In addition to their headquarters in New York, the Drug Policy Alliance has offices in New Mexico, Colorado, New Jersey, the District of Columbia, and California.
Associates
Amanda Reiman
California Policy Manager
Amanda Reiman is the California Policy Manager for the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA). She joined the organization in 2012 after working with Berkeley Patients Group, a dispensary in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Reiman has conducted a number of studies on dispensaries, patients, and cannabis as a treatment for addiction. Her findings have been presented at conferences of a number of organizations including: American Public Health Association, American Psychiatric Association, International Cannabinoid Research Society, and the Harm Reduction Coalition. Amanda served as the Medical Cannabis Commission for the City of Berkeley’s first chairwoman, and has consulted with a number …
Malik Burnett, MD
Policy Manager
Dr. Malik Burnett is a physician advocate who completed his medical and business training at Duke University. He believes that a public which is better informed about the science behind cannabis will be able to use cannabis safely and experience its many benefits. He is currently a Policy Manager in the Office of National Affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance in Washington DC and a contributor for Medical Jane. MANTIS_RECOMMEND = { property: '53422cdc8e92f89afbf09d5f', render: 'mantis__recommended__wordpress' }; var z = document.createElement("script"); z.type = "text/javascript"; z.async = true; z.src = "//static.mantis.marketing/recommend.min.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(z, s); …
In The News
New York To Become 23rd Medical Marijuana State
ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York Senate passed a bill this week legalizing the use of medical marijuana for New Yorkers with debilitating illnesses. However, the agreement comes with a catch – or a few – so to speak. 18 Months To Get The Job Done Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the bill, and once he does it will immediately kickstart an 18 month growth process for a seven year medical cannabis pilot program. In those 18 months, the State Health Department is expected to name the entities needed to regulate NY’s medical marijuana, establish five state-sanctioned businesses …
Report Suggests The DEA Has Ignored Four Decades Of Cannabis Research
According to a new report released last week by the Drug Policy Alliance and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has been impartial and has constantly neglected science in regards to cannabis for over 40 years. DPA, MAPS Report: DEA Ignoring Cannabis Research In “The DEA: Four Decades of Impeding and Rejecting Science” report, it includes many case studies over the past four decades demonstrating the DEA’s failure to allow research towards cannabis, …
Attorney General Urges Legislators To Reduce Nonviolent Drug Sentences
After the U.S. Sentencing Committee voted in favor of reducing sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, the progress was noted. President Obama recently called for clemency and now Attorney General Eric Holder has echoed these cries. AG Eric Holder Supports Retroactively Reducing Jailtime On Tuesday, Attorney General Holder announced his support for retroactively reducing sentences for those already serving jail time for non-violent drug offenses. “Not everyone in prison for a drug-related offense would be eligible,” Holder said Tuesday. “Nor would everyone who is eligible be guaranteed …
President Obama To Grant Clemency To Hundreds Of Nonviolent Prisoners
DUBLIN, CA – A senior administration official told Yahoo News Monday that by the time Obama leaves office, he could grant clemency to “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of individuals who have been locked up for years for nonviolent drug crimes. Obama Plans To Grant Clemency For Nonviolent Drug Offenders According to Yahoo, President Obama is ready to utilize his pardon power in order to grant clemency to those who have served severe jail time for nonviolent drug crimes. White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler …
Initiative To Reform Federal Drug Sentencing Passes Through Senate Judiciary Committee
WASHINGTON, DC — The US Senate Judiciary Committee passed groundbreaking drug sentencing reform Thursday. The Smarter Sentencing Act represents an overhaul of drug sentencing in America. If passed by the House and Senate, it will reduce mandatory minimum sentences, give judges more discretion, and release some nonviolent drug offenders from prison early. The Smarter Sentencing Act Receives Bipartisan Support As noted by the Drug Policy Alliance, The Smarter Sentencing Act has received bipartisan support from a “strange bedfellows group of senators.” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona), Sen. Ted …
New Mexico Senator Introduces Legal Cannabis Initiative For Adult-Use
SANTA FE, NM — According to a release from the Drug Policy Alliance, New Mexico Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-12th District) pre-filed Senate Joint Resolution 10 (SJR10), a ballot initiative that would legalize cannabis for adult-use. “New Mexico’s voters should be given the opportunity to decide on this issue.Other states’ experience can help us formulate an approach that will end the problems created by prohibition…” – Sen. Ortiz y Pino Following the lead of states like Colorado and Washington, Senate Joint Resolution 10 would allow for cannabis consumption and possession …
Activists Introduce Another Legal Cannabis Initiative In California
SACRAMENTO, CA — Last week, The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) filed The Control, Regulate and Tax Marijuana Act with the Califronia Attorney General’s office. If passed, the measure would allow those 21 and over to possess up to one ounce of cannabis and grow as many as four plants from home. The proposed initiative would also create a statewide system of cannabis regulation, imposing a 25% tax on retail sales. With that said, The Drug Policy Alliance has not yet decided whether it will …
Similar Companies
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
Santa Cruz, California
Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana. MANTIS_RECOMMEND = { property: '53422cdc8e92f89afbf09d5f', render: 'mantis__recommended__wordpress' }; var z = document.createElement("script"); z.type = "text/javascript"; z.async = true; z.src = "//static.mantis.marketing/recommend.min.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(z, s); …
Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)
Washington, District of Columbia
The Marijuana Policy Project was founded in 1995 in Washington, DC. The founders were members of NORML, but felt the organization should be more proactive. In turn, they broke away and started the MPP. In the time since its inception, the Marijuana Policy Project has garnered support from a number of influential parties and their advisory board includes celebrities like Jack Black, Bill Maher, Adrienne Curry, and Jesse Ventura. They have been instrumental to a number of changes in cannabis policy at the state level and aims to have the same effect on a national scale. MANTIS_RECOMMEND = { …
National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
Denver, Colorado
Founded in 2010, The National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) is a trade organization for the cannabis industry. It serves to provide canna-businesses with a voice in Washington, D.C. The NCIA is led by industry leaders with the intent to speak for the needs of the rapidly-growing cannabis industry. Additionally, they allow members to choose who will serve on the board of directors with annual elections. MANTIS_RECOMMEND = { property: '53422cdc8e92f89afbf09d5f', render: 'mantis__recommended__wordpress' }; var z = document.createElement("script"); z.type = "text/javascript"; z.async = true; z.src = "//static.mantis.marketing/recommend.min.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(z, s); …