In 2005, MPP celebrated its 10th birthday with sold-out fundraising galas in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., to commemorate MPP's victories over the previous 10 years.
In Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Linda Sanchez presented the Public Face of Reform Award to talk show host Montel Williams — who used medical marijuana to ease the symptoms of MS — and Congressman Sam Farr accepted the Legislative Leadership Award. Congressman Barney Frank also spoke, and acclaimed comic, actor, and Emmy Award-winning writer Rick Overton served as master of ceremonies.
In Los Angeles, actor Tommy Chong accepted the Courage Under Fire Award, and Supreme Court plaintiffs Angel Raich and Diane Monson received the Marijuana Policy Reform Activist of the Year Award. Cast members John Kassir and Nikki Snelson from Showtime's musical remake of "Reefer Madness" performed songs from the show. Comedian Tom Rhodes emceed, with music by Ray Benson, Inara George, Lily Holbrook, and dj John Kelley. Guests bid on live auction items, including a walk-on role on Showtime's "Weeds," an original hand-drawn Doonesbury comic strip, and an empty prescription medical marijuana canister from federally approved patient Irvin Rosenfeld.
High Times editor Richard Cusick leads the auction.
Will Becton, producer of Chong's Not Here!
High Times editor Richard Cusick with MPP's Francis DellaVecchia
MPP's Rob Kampia presents the Activist of the Year award to Angel Raich.
Actress Olivia Wilde and husband Tao Ruspoli
Designer Sanni Diesner Atelier and musician Rocky Dawuni
Both events featured clips from the new films "Waiting to Inhale" from Jed Riffe and "Chong's Not Here!" from Josh Gilbert.
All proceeds from the galas went to support MPP's work to reform marijuana policies.
See media coverage, including video.
“Hundreds of suit-and-tie-clad marijuana advocates feasted on chicken Kiev and Petite Sirah on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night in what may have been the most buttoned-down gathering of pot enthusiasts in history … The event, a strictly nonsmoking affair that drew members of Congress, a prominent television talk show host, and seasoned Washington operatives, was a mainstream coming-out of sorts for the Marijuana Policy Project, the nation's pre-eminent marijuana lobbying organization.”
— excerpt from the San Francisco Chronicle’s front page article about MPP's 10th Anniversary Gala in Washington, D.C.
