The official podcast of the nation’s leading cannabis reform organization, the Marijuana Policy Project where we share news, interviews, and insights from the front lines of the battle to end cannabis prohibition in the United States.
Some bad news first — medical marijuana is off the ballot in Nebraska. And then some encouraging news — Vermont lawmakers may be nearing a final agreement on legislation that would legalize and regulate cannabis sales for adults. Laura Subin will join us from Vermont to tell us more about this and another bill that will automatically expunge records for past offenses.
Last week MPP hosted #ReimaginingJustice, a virtual conference that brought together leading civil rights and cannabis activists to discuss the intersection between race, cannabis, and policing. Listen in as we share highlights from this event including clips from speakers such as NAACP President Derrick Johnson, Suffolk County (Mass.) District Attorney Rachael Rollins, talk show host Roland Martin, former NBA player Al Harrington, actor Seth Rogen, and more.
MPP is one day away from hosting a virtual event titled "Reimagining Justice: Race, Cannabis, and Policing" that you won't want to miss! Listen in as we discuss what this event is all about and how you can watch. Then we are joined by DeVaughn Ward, MPP's senior legislative counsel, who tells us what's going on with cannabis policy reform in Northeastern states including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.
As cities and towns work to rebuild and strengthen their economies in the wake of COVID-19, we speak with experts about how legal, regulated cannabis markets have impacted local economies and governments in California and Colorado. First, we are joined by Hirsh Jain, the Director of Government Affairs at Caliva, who shares examples of how California municipalities have benefited from legalization. Then we speak to Kris Teegardin, former mayor of Edgewater, CO, who tells us what life was like in the first city to begin adult-use cannabis sales.
Since Coloradans legalized cannabis in 2012, policymakers across the country have looked to the state to see how legalization has played out. Hosts of the Weed Wonks podcast, Andrew Livingston and Jordan Wellington, join us from Denver to discuss the economic benefits of legalization and regulation in Colorado. We also take a hard look at some of the sources that are commonly cited by prohibitionists when they attempt to mislead legislators about Colorado’s experience.
The murder of George Floyd by a police officer has sparked nationwide and global protests to demand justice and to stand against police brutality and racism. Steve Hawkins, the executive director of MPP and a lifetime criminal justice reform advocate, joins us to share insights into the intersection between cannabis legalization and racial justice. We review the racist history of prohibition, the disproportionate arrest rates for cannabis offenses, how cannabis has been weaponized against Black Americans, and more.
Will they or won't they? Join us as we take a look at New York's legalization prospects. Then Olivia Naugle, MPP's legislative analyst, joins the show to share exciting cannabis policy news from Virginia. We wrap up the show with MPP's director of government relations, Chris Lindsey, who speaks with us about his successful efforts to legalize cannabis in Illinois and the voter initiative in his home state of Montana.
Dr. David Nathan, founder of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, joins us to talk about why more and more medical professionals are coming around in support of legalization. We also discuss the latest news from Congress and state legislatures, and we examine a recent survey exploring attitudes about legalization in states where cannabis is legal.
