"Allowing for public consumption would provide a place to go for those who are unable to consume legal cannabis in their private residences. People living in federally subsidized housing, for example, risk eviction for legal cannabis use, due to the discrepancy between federal and state marijuana laws," said Violet Cavendish, MPP's communications manager.

"This is not the time for anybody to take their foot off the gas. This will require a dedicated group of people who are going to put their time and energy and effort into it," said Steve Hawkins, MPP's executive director.

"It’s encouraging to see that Rep. Jason Nemes and other legislative champions are continuing the fight for medical cannabis in Kentucky. Last year’s bill was derailed, in part, by the pandemic, but in 2021 there will be no excuse for failing to finish the job and pass HB 136," said Matt Simon, MPP's senior legislative analyst.

"November’s clean sweep of marijuana initiatives will help propel neighboring states’ legislatures to get their own bills past the finish line in 2021. These victories—in blue, red, and purple states—reflect the overwhelming popular support for legalization and a huge missed opportunity for states that fail to act," said Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies.

"We applaud Del. Lewis for his leadership to craft a legalization bill that is rooted in reparative justice, equity, and inclusion. It would release cannabis prisoners, expunge past convictions, reinvest in communities hardest hit by the war on drugs, train Marylanders for good jobs in cannabis, and create an industry that benefits disproportionately impacted communities. We are working with a coalition of organizations that are committed to legalizing marijuana in Maryland, and to getting legalization right and we hope to get this bill past the finish line in 2021," said Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies.

Steven Hawkins, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project, discusses the House passage of the MORE Act and what happens now.

"Connecticut has such an opportunity to get into the marketplace, and establish itself as a leader in the industry. There’s something in this industry for everyone," said DeVaughn Ward, MPP's senior legislative counsel.

"Serious criminal justice reform cannot begin in our country without ending the war on cannabis. The MORE Act would set federal marijuana policy on a path toward correcting an unfair system and help restore justice to those who have been victimized by prohibition. This legislation would also help address our country’s fiscal and economic challenges by empowering states to implement programs that can stimulate economic growth and generate new tax revenue at a time when both are desperately needed. We call on the Senate to listen to the American people and pass the MORE Act without delay," said Steve Hawkins, MPP's executive director.

"This is a bipartisan issue [and] I think we’re at a tipping point. We’ve passed it in big states and small states, liberal states and conservative states. We’re feeling pretty good. We believe that 2021 is our year," said Matthew Schweich, MPP's deputy director.

"This poll supports what I already suspected, that a marijuana legalization ballot initiative would be viable in Wyoming in 2022. I hope that legislators will seriously consider legalizing marijuana in 2021. They can control the details of the policy. If they don’t take action, then we, as marijuana advocates and drafters of the ballot initiative, would decide those details," said Matthew Schweich, MPP's deputy director.