About Cannabis Connections

Hi MPP Supporters!

My name is Kate, and I’m the web content manager here at MPP. As you may know, MPP is celebrating our 25th year in the fight to end cannabis prohibition across the U.S. This August, I’ll also be marking my own 10th anniversary here at MPP, and while I’m very proud of the progress we’ve made over the years, we still have a long way to go. I don’t know about you, but anniversaries always give me pause for reflection — a time to think about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed.

When I started at MPP in 2010, adult-use marijuana was illegal in every state, and only 13 states had passed medical marijuana laws. We were in the midst of a multi-year lobbying effort to pass medical cannabis in Illinois. I had connected with several patients in the state to hear their stories and encourage their advocacy, and I recall how heartbreaking it was when the bills failed in 2011 and 2012. We ultimately prevailed in 2013, passed decriminalization in 2016, and in 2019 we passed an adult-use legalization bill with an unprecedented focus on equity, criminal justice reform, and undoing the harms wrought by the war on cannabis. I am honored to have played even a bit part in passing this historic legislation that undoes the past through expungement, helps disadvantaged communities in the present, and creates opportunities for the future through job creation, tax revenue, and economic lift. At MPP, our goal is to reform cannabis laws — and change lives, like the Illinois law has done for its residents — across the nation.

Members of the cannabis community have lived through extraordinary times. Whether it’s the criminalization of consumers, the relief brought by medical cannabis, or the opportunities available in an emerging industry, we each have a story to tell. MPP is launching a new video project called Cannabis Connections so that members of our community can share their stories.

We all come to this movement for different reasons, from various backgrounds and perspectives, and we want to connect with you to hear how our work has (or could) impact your life.

Each week, we’ll pose a different question related to some aspect of our work in the cannabis space, and if the question resonates with you, we’re asking you to record and submit a short video in response. (Remember, we’ll be asking a new question each week, so if you don’t relate to the first prompt, there will be more coming!)

Cannabis has touched millions of lives. We want to hear your story.

Question 1: How has the war on cannabis — and on cannabis consumers — impacted you?