MPP is always looking for interns interested in helping to end marijuana prohibition while learning the skills needed to work in nonprofit advocacy. Internships are unpaid, but we can work with your school for college credit, and a travel stipend is available, as well as a professional membership to the Young Non-Profit Professionals of DC (ynpndc.org). Non-students are also welcome to apply for internships.
Media Intern
The Media Intern will work in MPP’s Communications Department, which is responsible for effectively communicating MPP’s message to the media and the public through written materials and media relations.
This position is an excellent opportunity to get exposure to the workings of a fast-paced advocacy organization.
Applicants should be meticulous, organized, detail-oriented and have excellent oral communication and writing skills. Knowledge of Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5, or Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and Illustrator in particular) is desirable but not required.
The Media Intern is responsible for:
- Maintaining MPP’s media database, including making corrections or additions to existing press lists and developing new lists as needed.
- Digitizing and organizing MPP's video archive.
- Writing content and editing blog posts and press releases for spelling and grammar errors.
- Tracking MPP's news coverage, including locating and/or ordering certain print articles, radio interviews, and TV interviews.
- Monitoring and updating MPP’s social media presence and occasionally contributing to online discussions.
- Researching potential learning or networking opportunities and events that staff may find useful.
- Locating and obtaining copies of reports or studies that are of interest.
- Small research projects aimed at identifying potential media opportunities or obtaining useful data.
- Tackling other tasks as assigned.
While the position doesn't generally involve large amounts of writing, occasional writing tasks may be assigned.
About half of the responsibility of this position will be to organize MPP's existing digital video archive, while continuously adding material digitized from VHS and DVD to the archive. Some knowledge of video transfer equipment and software is preferred.
The working hours for this position are flexible, but 15 - 25 hours in the office per week will be required.
The Media Intern reports to the Communications Manager, who in turn reports to the Communications Director.
Government Relations Intern
The Marijuana Policy Project seeks interns in the Department of Government Relations. This department, headed by the Director of Government Relations, coordinates MPP’s federal lobbying, as well as its ballot initiative work.
The MPP Government Relations Intern will work on a variety of projects. On the lobbying front, the intern will be responsible for monitoring legislation moving through Congress. This will include tracking the timing of hearings and votes, as well as information about the kinds of amendments that might be introduced on bills moving through committee and to the House or Senate floor. The intern will also assist the Director in setting up meetings with congressional staffers on the Hill and in maintaining various files and databases.
With respect to ballot initiatives, the intern will assist the Director in tracking events in states in which initiatives are on the ballot. The intern will monitor media coverage in the respective states in order to keep the Director informed about possible problems or opportunities. The intern may also assist in the drafting of alerts for distribution to MPP’s members in these states.
The intern will also assist with the operations of the first-ever national cannabis industry association. This will involve monitoring news coverage for articles related to the cannabis industry (and possibly posting these articles online) and identifying business owners who may be interested learning more about the industry association’s work in Washington.
Candidates for the Government Relations Intern position should possess the following skills and characteristics:
- The ability to efficiently conduct a wide range of online research and to prepare thorough and accurate summaries of this research as needed.
- A real and conscientious attention to detail.
- A true desire to change marijuana laws.
- An ability to be dogged and aggressive, yet friendly and polite, on the phone.
- An ability to write effective letters, alerts, and blog posts would be a bonus and could lead to being given additional responsibilities.
The intern will develop a broad appreciation and understanding of how laws are made and changed in Washington and around the country – from the process of lobbying Congress to the conducting of ballot initiative campaigns. From the Director, the intern will learn how to approach a situation strategically and apply the kinds of tactics (lobbying, coalition-building, media relations, PAC contributions, etc.) necessary to achieve the desired goal. The Director also expects the intern will complete the internship with an understanding of the critical importance of conducting research and compiling useful and accurate information.
State Policies Intern
The Marijuana Policy Project has an internship opening in its State Policies department. This is an unpaid, part-time internship, with class credit available. Interns work 16-40 hours per week and have the chance to play a responsible role in a successful nonprofit organization.
MPP’s State Policies department is dedicated to reforming marijuana laws on the state level through direct lobbying and by inspiring lobbying at the grassroots level by individuals and allied organizations.
The State Policies Intern's responsibilities are:
- Finding witnesses and advocates interested in speaking out for medical marijuana or decriminalization legislation, including people who have been arrested for small amounts of marijuana;
- Research to build the case in favor of decriminalization legislation and legislation to end prohibition;
- Entering votes into MPP’s state legislators database; and
- Miscellaneous projects and research as assigned.
Candidates should expect a fast-paced, professional environment and should have excellent oral and written communications skills, strong Internet research skills, and be meticulous, organized, and detail-oriented. The ideal candidate will also have an interest in learning about the legislative and policy-making process, excellent interpersonal skills, a professional demeanor, good research skills, and the ability to work independently.
For more information about the organization, please visit www.mpp.org
Thank you for your interest.
