MPP Media Contacts

The Marijuana Policy Project is available to the media for comments and information: 

  • Kurt A. Gardinier, director of communications: KGardinier@mpp.org, 202-462-5747, ext. *0738 or 202-215-4205 (cell)
  • Mike Meno, assistant director of communications: MMeno@mpp.org, 202-462-5747, ext. *2030 

 For comments and information on California-related news:

  • Aaron Smith, California policy director: ASmith@mpp.org, 707-575-9870 or 707-291-0076 (cell)

Use the links on the left to view press releases and news articles or to download marijuana b-roll footage and PSAs.

In the News

Pot-Dispensary Boom Has Affiliated Businesses Buzzing

Denver Post, Feb. 07, 2010 - Until a few months ago, J.B. Woods was your standard-issue insurance agent. Auto, home, life. Would you like flood coverage with that? Then, in the middle of 2009, his phone rang: "I need insurance for my medical-marijuana dispensary," the caller said. And since that moment, few of the policies Woods has set up for clients have been standard-issue. Instead, Woods has become the guru of ganja insurance. Property insurance, theft insurance, liability insurance. Woods is now even offering crop insurance, in case a medical-marijuana harvest isn't as bountiful as expected.

Majorities Polled in D.C. Back Gay Marriage, Medical Marijuana

Washington Post, Feb. 07, 2010 - District residents are generally supportive of the progressive, activist social agenda being pursued by the D.C. Council, putting their stamp of approval on efforts by government leaders to enact policies while Democrats control Congress. A Washington Post poll conducted last month finds majorities favor same-sex marriage, want medical marijuana to be legalized and support the creation of an elected attorney general. Even when it comes to paying more for grocery bags based on promises that it will help save the environment, nearly half of residents embrace the new city policy.

NH Lawmakers Mull Decriminalizing and Taxing Pot

The Eagle-Tribune, Jan. 31, 2010 - More than a year after Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana possession, New Hampshire lawmakers are thinking about doing the same - -- or even taxing and regulating cannabis. The ailing economy and budgetary crisis are prompting legislators to take a second or, at least, a longer look at House Bill 1652. This proposal would allow adults to possess 1 ounce or less, provide for state regulation, and tax marijuana's wholesale and retail sale. Prime sponsor Rep. Calvin Pratt, R-Goffstown, said he doesn't expect it to become law this year, but if tough economic challenges linger, the bill may be approved in years to come.

Lines Drawn Over Pot Use

Hawaii Tribune Herald, Feb. 03, 2010 - A County Council committee heard from about two dozen people Tuesday night who testified that police are ignoring the voter-passed initiative making adult personal use of marijuana the lowest law-enforcement priority. The committee on Public Safety and Parks and Recreation received and filed a request from Police Commission Chairman Thomas Whittemore to review and rectify what he called ambiguities in the initiative passed into law by almost 58 percent of the island's voters in November 2008. Adam Lehman, one of the authors of the so-called "Peaceful Sky" ordinance, took exception to Whittemore's reference to ambiguities.

Medical Marijuana Bill Now in Kansas House

Kansas City Star, Feb. 04, 2010 - After all, Kansas was the first to embrace Prohibition, and one of the last to end it. Even today, you can't find full-strength beer on a grocery store shelf. Yet in the same week that state lawmakers voted to make Kansas the first state to outlaw a synthetic form of pot, a Wichita legislator introduced a bill to legalize marijuana with a doctor's prescription. "I just think it's the right thing to do," said Rep. Gail Finney, a Wichita Democrat. Finney has lupus, which she said makes her sympathetic to those with chronic diseases such as Parkinson's, cancer and HIV.

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Press Releases

  • Pres. Obama’s Proposed 2011 Budget Bolsters War on Drug
  • WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to 2011 funding “highlights” released this week by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Obama administration is expanding the war on drugs and focusing its funds toward law enforcement over treatment. The budget puts America’s drug war spending at $15.5 billion for fiscal year 2011; an increase of 3.5 percent over 2010 and an increase of 5.2 percent in overall enforcement funding ($9.7 billion in FY 2010 to $9.9 billion in FY 2011). Addiction treatment and preventative measures are budgeted to increase from $5.2 billion to $5.6 billion. Furthermore, President Obama chose to continue funding the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, which is run by the drug czar’s office and has for years emptied its coffers on absurd anti-marijuana ads that veer far from the truth. One such ad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9B-h_bU-uI) released in 2006 insinuates that marijuana use can lead to rape, a particularly dishonest claim considering that alcohol, a legal drug, is a factor in a huge majority of sexual assaults. (February 4, 2010)

  • Rhode Island House Members Introduce Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
  • PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND —A bill to decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and substitute a civil penalty of $150 was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives yesterday. H 7317, a bipartisan bill was co-sponsored by 35 House members and has been referred to the House Judiciary committee. The Rhode Island State Senate is likely to introduce their version of the bill later this week. If the bill becomes law, Rhode Island would join their neighboring state to the north, Massachusetts, and become the 14th state to pass a law to decriminalize marijuana. In 2008, Massachusetts voters passed a similar decriminalization law with 65% of the vote. “Rhode Island lawmakers should be applauded for their support of this bill that will save the state much needed money and resources by not arresting, prosecuting, sentencing and incarcerating marijuana users,” said Karen O’Keefe, MPP director of state policies. “We look forward to the day when the citizens of this state no longer have to fear being handcuffed and thrown in jail for using a substance far safer than alcohol.” (February 3, 2010)

  • Maryland Lawmakers to Introduce Medical Marijuana Legislation
  • ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND — Tomorrow, Maryland lawmakers, patients and advocates will hold a press conference to announce the introduction of medical marijuana legislation in the Maryland state legislature. “This bill will provide Maryland’s doctors and patients with another tool in the toolbox, to be used safely and responsibly like any other therapy,” said Del. Dan Morhaim (D-Baltimore County), the bill’s co-sponsor and a physician board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for patients to have access to the medicines that work best for them, especially for those suffering from serious ailments like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Marijuana may provide the greatest possible relief, one that can help when other therapies are not effective.” (January 25, 2010)

  • New Hampshire Patients Look to Legislature for Relief as Gov. Lynch Vetoes Medical Marijuana Bill
  • CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch vetoed a bill to protect seriously ill patients from arrest for using doctor-recommended medical marijuana today, and patients are urging the legislature to override the veto. The bill, which had been tailored to address eight specific concerns expressed by Lynch last month, passed in the House in June, 232-108, and in the Senate, 14-10 – two votes shy of what would be required to override the governor's veto. (January 21, 2010)

  • State Assembly Committee Passes Bill to Tax and Regulate Marijuana in California
  • SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA — Today, in a 4 to 3 vote, the California Assembly’s Public Safety Committee passed A.B. 390, legislation that would tax and regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. This is the first time in U.S. history that a state legislature has ever passed—or even considered—a proposal to make marijuana legal, taxed, and regulated. A.B. 390, the Marijuana Control, Regulation, and Education Act was authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), the chair of the committee. The bill will not progress any further this year due to the constraints of the legislative calendar but advocates praised today’s vote as a major milestone in ongoing efforts to end marijuana prohibition. (January 12, 2010)

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MPP tracks marijuana policy in all 50 states and at the federal level.