Despite strong public support for ending marijuana prohibition, MPP faces an uphill battle. While many Americans recognize the irrationality of marijuana prohibition, not all see it as harmful, and even fewer actually do something about it.
Because of this inaction, the federal government has been free to wage a destructive, wasteful war on marijuana users — at an expense to all of us in tax dollars, privacy, and liberty.
In 2019 alone, 545,601 people were arrested for marijuana offenses — and 92% of these were for simple possession. That's one marijuana arrest every 58 seconds. Every year, there are more marijuana arrests than for all violent crimes combined. The steady increase in the prison population is fueled by harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenses — sentences that are harsher than for many violent crimes.
Who donates to MPP?
One hundred percent of our funding comes from the individual contributions of our members. MPP supporters come from every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. They are doctors and plumbers, politicians and prisoners, college students and grandmothers, even police officers. What they have in common is the understanding that America’s war on marijuana users is a misguided and destructive failure.
Here's what a few supporters have said about our work:
"I support many advocacy organizations. Thirty-five years as a successful CEO makes me understand the profound connection between being well managed and accomplishing their objectives. MPP is among the best managed of philanthropic organizations I support. MPP's mission is precise and clear — to have marijuana regulated like alcohol. I believe that funding MPP beyond what I provide will greatly speed the achievement of MPP's mission." — The late Peter Lewis, chairman, Progressive Corporation
"I am nearing the end of a 10-year, $10 million commitment to drug policy reform. The Marijuana Policy Project has received the largest of my gifts because they have the capacity and the wherewithal to make good use of them. Marijuana prohibition is a colossal policy error and an assault on human freedom. I am honored to be working with MPP to end it." — John Gilmore, technology entrepreneur
"I rarely give money to non-profit organizations, but I regularly contribute to MPP. In my 40 years of political activity, I have never seen a lobbying/educational organization as cost effective as MPP. I know that every dollar I give MPP will bring real results." — Eric Garris, director, Antiwar.com
How will MPP use my donation?
Your gift will help us get new legalization campaigns off the ground, protect and expand medical cannabis access, and support ongoing efforts to guide adult-use legislation and ballot initiatives across the finish line.
What projects is MPP currently pursuing?
MPP monitors and analyzes all marijuana-related bills on the federal level and in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. On the state legislative level, MPP and our allies are currently focusing on regulating marijuana like alcohol in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Virginia. MPP is also lobbying for medical marijuana-related bills in state legislatures in Kentucky, Nebraska, and South Carolina and is supporting decriminalization measures in several states.
We're also involved in the effort in Washington, D.C. to pass federal medical marijuana legislation, as well as to replace marijuana prohibition with a system of sensible regulation and control.
Visit MPP's home page to find out what is happening with marijuana policy reform in your state.
What has MPP accomplished?
Please visit our history page for the highlights of MPP's accomplishments in our 25-year history.
To which organization should I direct my donation?
MPP, founded in January 1995, is a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization. Because MPP devotes all of its efforts towards influencing public policy, contributions to MPP are not tax-deductible.
MPP Foundation, founded in May 1996, is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. Contributions to MPP Foundation are tax-deductible.
Can I get more information about MPP's financials?
If you prefer, you can also make your donation over the phone or by mail. Simply call the number below or mail your donation to the following address: MPP / P.O. Box 21731 / Washington, D.C. 20009.
Questions? Please contact MPP's Membership Department at membership@mpp.org or (202) 905-2008.
