An annual FBI report released at the end of 2014 revealed that there were 693,481
marijuana-related arrests in 2013 87% of which were for simple possession, not sale or
manufacture. Thats one arrest every 51 seconds.
2014 marked the Marijuana Policy Projects 20th year of reforming our nations harmful
marijuana policies. MPP made significant advances toward reform, and MPP Foundation
the tax-deductible branch of the organization continued to educate the public about
the effects of marijuana prohibition.
One indication of our success has been the groundswell of support weve received
through our online outreach. MPP leverages social networking and media to build online
coalitions ready to take action on our work.
We currently have:
98,000 followers on Twitter;
330,000 likes on our Facebook page; and
195,000 email subscribers
With nearly 10 million views and 22,650 subscribers, MPPs YouTube channel is key to our
online messaging strategy.
MPPs Web site and blog receive millions of visits each year and allow us to communicate
with the public, activists, and reporters in a conversational and up-to-the-minute way.
alaska
On November 4, the Campaign to
Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska,
a ballot initiative campaign backed by
MPP, passed Ballot Measure 2, making
Alaska the fourth state to end marijuana
prohibition and replace it with a system in
which marijuana is taxed and regulated like
alcohol. The measure was approved with
53% of the vote.
Specifically,the Alaska initiative made
the use, possession, and home-growing
of marijuana legal for adults 21 years of
age and older, in addition to establishing
a system in which commercial marijuana
cultivation and retail sales of marijuana are
regulated and taxed similarly to alcohol.
2014 Elections
Oregon legalizes marijuana
On November 4, Oregon became
the third state to legalize marijuana.
Similar to Colorados law, Oregons law
allows adults to legally use, possess, and
cultivate limited amounts of marijuana,
along with creating licensed marijuana
businesses across the state.
maryland
On April 14, Gov. Martin OMalley (D)
signed legislation to remove criminal
penalties for possession of small amounts
of marijuana. As a result, adults 21 and
older will now face only a civil fine for
possessing less than one-third of an ounce
of marijuana, instead of criminal penalties
and possible jail time.
The same day, Gov. OMalley signed twin
bills significantly expanding Marylands
medical-marijuana law. Patients with a
range of medical conditions will now be
allowed to possess up to a 30-day supply of
medical marijuana that they purchase from
state-licensed dispensaries. This marks the
first time that a state has ever passed three
(or even two) good marijuana bills at the
same time.
minnesota
On May 29, Minnesota became the 22nd
state to legalize medical marijuana.
Gov. Mark Dayton (D) signed a bill that
will allow people suffering from cancer,
HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, and other medical
conditions to access medical marijuana if
their doctors recommend it.
MPP began lobbying for medicalmarijuana legislation in Minnesota in
2005; 2014, like previous years, was full of
roadblocks. In response to Gov. Dayton
threatening to veto any bill that did not
have the support of law enforcement, MPP
launched hard-hitting TV ads in opposition.
Gov. Dayton declared our bill dead on
multiple occasions, and we organized
protests that ultimately revived it. And
when the governor proposed a completely
unworkable compromise bill, we organized
a powerful grassroots response that
stopped his proposal in its tracks.
congress
On December 13, Congress passed an amendment to prohibit the U.S. Justice Department
(which includes the DEA) from spending taxpayer money to interfere with state-level
medical-marijuana laws. This marks the first time in history that Congress has approved
legislation rolling back the federal governments war on marijuana.
The passage of the amendment was the seventh attempt, after six unsuccessful votes
between 2003 and 2012.
in the news
New York passes medical
marijuana bill
732,967
1,157,351
consultants
6,000
4,000
74,296
126,726
21,696
97,933
72,649
184,879
29,032
5,535
11,586
82,803
71,673
211,323
27,229
92,898
3,134
donations to candidates
44,100
7,500
7,612
50,069
8,000
37,800
21,175
676,346
54,178
358
384
48
19,854
979
95
490
82,388
190,422
TOTAL EXPENSES
2,228,207
1,987,301
16,578
31,039
23,000
14,299
grants program
40,000
38,575
776,053
471,474
300,910
287,000
870,771
525,000
78,390
bequest
200,000
TOTAL REVENUES
2,017,186
1,655,903
ASSETS
cash [1]
112,086
270,693
DC headquarters (ownership)
824,900
computers/equipment
11,341
15,594
200,000
LIABILITIES
credit card debt
3,951
14,405
DC headquarters (mortgage)
651,000
200,000
-80,524
645,782
[1]: MPP will need to stockpile cash in 2015 in order to afford five ballot-initiative campaigns (in AZ/CA/MA/ME/NV) for 2016.
10
1,009,000
1,375,000
consultants
3,000
2,000
97,000
174,000
28,000
119,000
83,000
217,000
22,000
5,000
5,000
5,000
1,000
79,000
5,000
87,000
96,000
193,000
113,000
94,000
donations to candidates
9,000
68,000
7,000
43,000
16,000
48,000
40,000
213,000
300,000
4,000
206,000
10,000
63,000
210,000
4,000
2,000
TOTAL EXPENSES
2,440,000
2,615,000
12,000
23,000
24,000
grants program
5,000
6,000
88,000
25,000
860,000
524,000
1,563,000
1,150,000
1,164,000
675,000
93,000
bequest
18,000
TOTAL REVENUES
3,630,000
2,600,000
ASSETS
cash [1]
1,098,135
441,288
DC headquarters (ownership)
850,000
computers/equipment
13,000
17,000
DC headquarters (mortgage)
640,000
1,111,135
668,288
LIABILITIES
[1]: MPP will need to stockpile cash in 2015 in order to afford five ballot-initiative campaigns (in AZ/CA/MA/ME/NV) for 2016.
11
Lindsay Robinson
director of development
Karen OKeefe
director of state policies
Kelley Crosson
major gifts officer
New York and Florida
Mason Tvert
director of communications
Sarah Lovering
major gifts officer
Southern California and Arizona