MPP seeks to bring legalization of adult-use cannabis to half of the country by the end of 2020. The current political climate is favorable to legalization, with 66% of the public supporting legalization, according to the latest Gallup poll.

Our goal of 50% of the USA is important since it creates the outside pressure necessary to get Congress to act on ending restrictions that impede the full development of the American cannabis industry.

MPP will also continue fighting to allow the medical use of cannabis in all 50 states, with the goal of adding several more more medical cannabis states by the end of 2020. We'll also keep working to broaden protections for medical cannabis patients, including for veterans, students, and physically and economically challenged individuals, so that all Americans can safely access the medicine they need. 

Current vs. Additional Planned Adult-Use States

Fostering Social Justice and Equity 

Marijuana prohibition has a history of racism, and it continues to be enforced unequally. An ACLU study found African Americans are 3.73 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession, despite similar rates of marijuana use. Ending marijuana prohibition dramatically reduces the number of arrests, but much more can be done to foster equity when legalizing marijuana, including by ensuring the legal marijuana industry creates opportunities for those who have been harmed the most by prohibition.

While MPP advocates for the overturning of cannabis prohibition at the state and federal levels, we'll also work to ensure fair, inclusive, and comprehensive licensing, tax structures, banking, and social justice measures are implemented so that pressing issues that harm the most vulnerable Americans are addressed as we reform our nation's cannabis laws. Some examples include:

• Removing overly burdensome regulations to prevent a fair and responsible cannabis industry;
• Enacting fair banking, taxes, and inclusive licensing, including social equity licensing;
• Advocating for fair laws that protect consumers and disenfranchised communities, who have been disproportionately and unjustly impacted by cannabis prohibition;
• Preventing oligarchies that benefit an elite, selective few that can participate in the cannabis industry;
• Ensuring patients, veterans, and the most vulnerable communities can fairly access medical cannabis without repercussions, including by advocating for medical marijuana patient protections and including home culitvation in proposed legislation;
• Including automatic expungement and re-sentencing for conduct that becomes legal, funded by some of the tax revenue; and
• Reinvesting in communities hardest hit by cannabis prohibition and funding services to reduce mass incarceration.

Federal Impact

MPP is engaging with allied advocates and state legislators to secure the passage of adult-use laws in 15 additional states over the next three years, bringing cannabis policy to a “tipping point” where half of the country has ended prohibition. With these 25 states allowing for the adult use of cannabis, they would form a powerful political block in Congress consisting of:

50 Senators

246 Representatives

Congressional Action

The cannabis industry will only fully thrive once Congress:

• Removes the restrictions on commercial banking;
• Allows for cannabis businesses to claim deductions and credits under the IRS tax code; and
• Exempts from federal drug enforcement those businesses operating in compliance with state law.

MPP will bring pressure on Congress by creating a rapid increase in the number of states passing adult-use laws. This outside strategy, coupled with an inside focus on lobbying by trade groups, will be the successful combination that will make change possible and create a fair, diverse, and robust cannabis industry.