About this Organization
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.
Associates
Rob Kampia
Executive Director
Rob Kampia is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project. He was born just outside of Philadelphia, PA and went on to be named valedictorian of his high school graduating class. While attending Penn State University, Kampia served three months in prison for growing cannabis for personal use. Two years later, he was elected student body president. Kampia moved to Washington D.C to work with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) just three days after his graduation in 1993 . He then formed the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) with Chuck Thomas and Mike …
Mason Tvert
Director of Communications
Based in Denver, Mason Tvert is the Director of Communications at the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), where he oversees the media strategy and online outreach efforts. Prior to taking over MPP’s communications department, he co-directed the successful campaign in support of Amendment 64, the 2012 ballot initiative to regulate marijuana like alcohol in Colorado. In January 2013, the Denver Post named him the state’s “Top Thinker” in the area of politics and government. Previously, Mason co-founded and directed Safer Alternative For Enjoyable Recreation (SAFER), a Colorado-based nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about the relative safety of marijuana compared …
Chris Lindsey
Legislative Analyst
Chris Lindsey is a Legislative Analyst in the Marijuana Policy Project’s State Policies Department. Accordingly, he works with community leaders, lobbyists, and legislators in over a dozen states and U.S. territories to change marijuana laws. He evaluates and drafts legislation, lobbies in support of improved marijuana laws, and communicates with supporters on behalf of MPP. Chris has been active in the medical marijuana community in Montana since 2008. He has testified before legislators and committees, conducted legal seminars, participated in legislative work groups to establish a regulatory framework for medical marijuana, and lobbied on behalf of marijuana organizations. Chris has …
Matt Simon
Legislative Analyst
Matt Simon is a Legislative Analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). He has been working since 2007 to reform marijuana laws in New Hampshire, lobbying and organizing in support of medical marijuana legislation that finally passed into law in 2013 (after having been vetoed by the governor in both 2009 and 2012). From 2007-2010, Matt served as executive director for the New Hampshire Coalition for Common Sense Marijuana Policy. In 2011, he worked as New Hampshire communications director for Governor Gary Johnson’s presidential campaign, and in December 2011, he began working as a legislative …
Morgan Fox
Communications Manager
Morgan Fox is Communications Manager of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). He handles the day-to-day media needs of MPP’s reform efforts on the state and federal levels. In addition to interviews and providing information to reporters, Morgan is a frequent contributor to the MPP blog and has authored articles that have been published in news outlets nationwide. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Morgan has been working at MPP since moving to the District of Columbia in 2008. He is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. MANTIS_RECOMMEND = { property: '53422cdc8e92f89afbf09d5f', render: 'mantis__recommended__wordpress' }; …
Jared Moffat
Rhode Island Political Director
Jared Moffat is the Director of Regulate Rhode Island, a non-profit committed to ending the costly and destructive policy of marijuana prohibition. Additionally, Jared is the Rhode Island Political Director for the Marijuana Policy Project. 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
Rhode Island Legislature Approves Medical Marijuana for PTSD; Gov. Expected to Sign
Lawmakers in Rhode Island gave final approval Thursday to a bill that will allow veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. The bill, House Bill 7142, received unanimous support in the Senate, and passed the House by a vote of 67 to 1. The lone vote against the bill designed to help patients came from Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Morgan (R-West Warwick). Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that affects about eight million Americans annually, including many military veterans returning from combat, …
U.S. Senators Introduce Historic Bill to Allow Full Legalization of Medical Marijuana
Three U.S. senators unveiled a new bill today that would effectively end a federal ban on medical marijuana, according to multiple sources. New Federal Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced The proposed senate bill, which was introduced by Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), will allow legal medical marijuana patients “to continue participating in those programs without fear of federal prosecution,” according to a joint statement from the senators’ offices. While the bill’s future acceptance is uncertain, its creation could help Senator …
Cannabis Decriminalization Bill Introduced In New Hampshire
CONCORD, NH – New Hampshire lawmakers will consider a decriminalization bill proposed on January 26, 2015. If passed, criminal penalties will be removed for those caught with possession of small amounts of cannabis. House Bill 618 Introduced In New Hampshire Sponsored by Rep. Adam Schroadter (R-Newmarket) and a bipartisan group of seven co-sponsors, House Bill 618 (HB 618) aims to decriminalize cannabis once-and-for-all in the state of New Hampshire – the only New England state yet to remove criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of cannabis. Looking back to March of 2014, the Granite State …
Myth Debunked: Cannabis Policy Reform Likely Does Not Increase Teen Consumption
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A survey released Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates the rate of cannabis consumption amongst high school students in the United States have remained flat the past two years, despite major cannabis policy reform and increases in public support towards legalization. CDC Releases Youth Risk Behavior Survey As voters of Florida get ready to vote on Amendment 2 in the fall to allow medical marijuana for patients in need, opponents recently launched the “Don’t Let Florida Go to Pot” campaign on Tuesday. Those associated with the campaign warn that the measure, …
Nevada To Begin Accepting Business Applications For Medical Marijuana
CARSON CITY, NV — Governor Brian Sandoval (R) signed the Nevada dispensary bill into law last June, and set the table for what many people anticipate to be one of the biggest medical marijuana markets. Now, the Division of Public and Behavior Health is preparing to begin accepting applications for the first time. Nevada MMJ Applications To Be Accepted In August The Nevada Division of Public and Behavior Health, a sub-division of the Department of Health & Human Services, announced earlier this week that they will begin accepting the first round …
Maryland Governor Signs Both Medical Marijuana and Decriminalization Bills
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Maryland officially became the 21st state to allow medicinal marijuana on Monday. Further, it became the 18th state in the country to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of cannabis, despite its rough path to approval earlier this month. Governor O’Malley Signs Decriminalization Measure Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley approved Senate Bill 364 (SB 364), making possession for those caught with less than 10 grams of cannabis a civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $100. This move has made Maryland the …
Poll Shows Majority Of New Hampshire Adults In Favor Of Legalization, Decriminalization
MANCHESTER, N.H. – An annual WMUR Granite State Poll released by the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday indicates that the majority of New Hampshire residents (55%) support legalizing and regulating cannabis similarly to alcohol. This year’s WMUR Granite State Poll conducted by the UNH Survey Center has shown an increase from 48% in February of 2013 to 55% of New Hampshire residents now supporting the legalization for possession of small amounts of cannabis in New Hampshire. They interviewed 510 randomly-selected people between March 24 and April 1. Annual WMUR Poll Shows Increased Support For …
Maryland Delegates Approve Amended Cannabis Decriminalization Bill
ANNAPOLIS, MD — After making some revisions to the initiative, the Maryland House of Delegates approved a measure to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in a 78-55 vote Saturday. As previously reported, Senate Bill 364 would remove any criminal penalties for the possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis. Instead, offenders would be subject to a civil fine of up to $100. Maryland House Advances Senate Bill 364 Despite its success Saturday, it has not been all smooth sailing for Senate Bill 364 – a fact that Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …
Amended Medical Marijuana Bill Approved By Maryland Senate
ANNAPOLIS, MD — As one of the 14 states currently considering medical marijuana bills in legislative sessions, Maryland could be the next state to legalize medical marijuana. The Maryland Senate voted 45-1 in favor of Senate Bill 923 – an initiative that would do just that. This approval came after its third reading of the bill, and now the amended bill will go to the Maryland House for consideration. They approved a similar bill earlier this month. Maryland Senate Approves Amended Medical Marijuana Bill Maryland Senator Jamie Raskin introduced Senate Bill 923, which was …
Poll Shows Delaware Is Overwhelmingly Ready To Decriminalize Cannabis
In a recent Public Policy Polling survey released by Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), over two-thirds of Delaware voters (68%) are in favor of marijuana decriminalization. They supported the replacement of criminal penalties for a civil offense that is punishable for a fine of up to $100 for those caught with possession of up to an ounce of marijuana. In addition to this, the poll showed 51% of Delaware voters showing their support for making cannabis use legal for adults 21 and older, while taxing and regulating it like alcohol. Delaware Voters Show Support For Cannabis …
Maryland Senate Approves Cannabis Decriminalization Measure
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Continuing the wave of cannabis policy reform that has been working its way across the east coast as of late, the Maryland Senate voted 36-8 Friday in favor of decriminalizing small amounts of cannabis in the state. As reported last week, Senate Bill 364 would remove criminal penalties for limited cannabis possession. It is co-sponsored by Sen. Bobby Zirkin (D-Baltimore) and Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Howard). “SB 364 is a strong step towards ending the ineffective and destructive prohibition of marijuana,” explains Rachelle Yeung, legislative analyst for the …
Marijuana Policy Project Calls For DEA Administrator To Be Fired
WASHINGTON, DC — As reported Saturday by the Boston Herald, Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), “slammed” President Obama’s recent comments that cannabis is “no more dangerous than alcohol.” Now, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) is calling for her to be fired. The organization has started a petition to relieve the Ms. Leonhart of her duties with the DEA. They hope that she will be replaced with an Administrator who follows President Obama’s …
Tennessee Legislator Files New Medical Marijuana Initiative
NASHVILLE, TN — Rep. Sherry Jones (D-Nashville) has filed an initiative to allow limited access to medical cannabis in the State of Tennessee. As written, House Bill 1385 – the Koozer-Kuhn Medical Cannabis Act – would call for the state to establish a regulatory system similar to states with medical marijuana already on the books. The bill is named in honor of two Tennessee natives, according to Chris Lindsey, Legislative Analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). Piper Koozer is a child from Tennessee who suffers …
New Hampshire Legislators Consider New Adult-Use Cannabis Policy
CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire House of Representatives is considering the legalization of cannabis for adult-use. They will put the issue to a vote just one week after the commencement of retail cannabis sales in Colorado, as activists hope to keep the momentum in their favor. Offering a brief overview of New Hampshire’s House Bill 492 is Matt Simon, Legislative Analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). “Those in favor of HB 492 propose a $30 per ounce tax on retail cannabis …
Medical Marijuana Pilot Program Officially Takes Effect In Illinois
SPRINGFIELD, IL — After passing a measure in 2013 to legalize medical cannabis in Illinois, the state’s law officially took effect Wednesday morning. Prospective patients will likely be granted safe access to medical marijuana facilities towards the tail-end of 2014. The regulatory agencies tasked with overseeing the Illinois medical cannabis program – the Department of Public Health, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Financial and Professional Responsibilities – are expected to hold an assortment of public hearings over the next four months. They will be establishing the rules and forms that …