"Banking reforms are a logical short-term solution before sweeping federal legalization measures move forward on Capitol Hill, says Chris Lindsey, director of government relations for the Marijuana Policy Project."

"Unlike Gov. Noem, we can’t use taxpayer money from the hardworking people of South Dakota to fight our political battles," said Matthew Schweich, MPP's deputy director / SDBML campaign director.

"We know that a majority of Texans support decriminalizing marijuana, and it’s time for politicians in Austin to listen to them," said Matthew Schweich, MPP's deputy director.

"States are bringing in tens-to-hundreds of millions of dollars every year in cannabis taxes and fees. The regulatory costs pale in comparison to what is being brought in," said Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies.

"We’re hopeful that 2021 may be the year Delaware ends its failed war on marijuana. Instead of sending cannabis consumers across the bridge to New Jersey, the First State can create good jobs and new small businesses, while generating tens of millions in tax dollars. Voters overwhelmingly support legalization, and elected officials are increasingly taking notice," said Karen O'Keefe, MPP's director of state policies.

"Maintaining felony penalties for home cultivation is completely unacceptable in a state that puts ‘Live Free or Die’ on its license plates," said Matt Simon, MPP's senior legislative analyst.

"The hope was that with the ‘essential’ designation, there would be more recognition that cannabis was here to stay, that there was strong consumer preference for it," said Steve Hawkins, MPP's executive director.

Produced by Vanity Fair with PAX Labs, this three-part docuseries delves into how U.S. drug policy — and specifically cannabis prohibition — over the last century has been a driver of racial inequality, unjust incarceration, and devastating harm to communities and people of color. In Part One, leaders from the Last Prisoner Project, Marijuana Policy Project, Law Enforcement Action Partnership, and Brookings Institution uncover the racist origins of the war on drugs and explain how these dangerous policies, dating as far back as the early 1900s, have shaped our carceral system to this day.

"My reaction was relief and joy. I do this work to help medical marijuana patients and today we helped them. And I also feel humbled by the incredible support that South Dakotans have provided to our effort. I’ve worked in many states on marijuana reform over the last six years and I don’t think I’ve ever seen such passionate and dedicated activism from grassroots supporters. They are incredible and this win belongs to them," said Matthew Schweich, MPP's deputy director.

Opinion piece from Steven Hawkins, MPP Executive Director and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Cannabis Council: "The war on cannabis has filled our jails and prisons with non-violent 'offenders,' disproportionately emptying minority neighborhoods. Aggressive policing of cannabis has unleashed on communities of color dangerous tactics, such as the no-knock warrant that led to the death of Breonna Taylor. And mere reference to cannabis use has been leveraged to dehumanize countless individuals, including George Floyd whose positive post mortem test for cannabis had nothing to do with his murder."