As you can see in the strategic plan below, this year is an ambitious and bold one for MPP. If you like what you see below, would you please donate to our work?
DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN VERMONT
Gov. Pete Shumlin (D), a strong supporter of decriminalizing marijuana, partially campaigned on the issue and easily won reelection on November 6 with 58% of the vote. The Vermont legislature is poised to pass the bill he wants, so this legislation could become law by this summer.
LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Incoming Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) is a strong supporter of medical marijuana, so we expect her to sign a medical marijuana bill similar to those vetoed by former Gov. John Lynch (D) in 2009 and 2012.
BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE
We successfully legalized medical marijuana and decriminalized marijuana possession in Rhode Island in 2009 and 2012, respectively. There is now considerable momentum to tax and regulate (T&R) marijuana like alcohol, so we need to ensure that Rhode Island’s state legislature becomes the first to do so.
BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN CALIFORNIA, MAINE, AND OREGON
There will be a sincere effort to pass T&R bills through the legislatures in these three states. Should they fall short, MPP and its allies will pursue statewide ballot initiatives in November 2016, at which time all three will be expected to pass.
BUILD SUPPORT ONLINE
People have said that the Internet is marijuana legalization’s best friend, and this could not have been more evident than it was last year. Campaigns mobilized their supporters, organizations raised funds, and the public was able to follow the progress in real time. Prohibitionists, who have depended on the government for its largess for years, are now at a disadvantage. Private citizens simply do not want to donate to them, and most information about marijuana is now reaching the public without being run through their filter.
CONTINUE THE STEADY DRUMBEAT IN THE MEDIA
National and local media outlets are covering the marijuana issue more than ever before. Communicating to voters through news coverage is the most cost-efficient way to increase public support for ending marijuana prohibition, so we need to keep the issue in the spotlight.
BUILD SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN CONGRESS
There are already approximately 185 members of the U.S. House who want to stop the U.S. Justice Department from spending taxpayer money on raiding medical marijuana businesses in the 18 states (and D.C.) where medical marijuana is legal. We want to reach 218 votes on this amendment, thereby ensuring the amendment's transfer to the U.S. Senate for an up-or-down vote.
BUILD SUPPORT FOR ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IN CONGRESS
Last year, the first-ever bill to end the federal government's prohibition of marijuana attracted 21 sponsors. Our goal is to expand the number of sponsors to more than two-dozen during the 2013-2014 election season.
Note: Parts of this plan may change from time to time as the year progresses.
