Developing Collaborative Solutions

Developing Collaborative Solutions
Presenter John Redman Executive Director Californians For Drug-Free Youth Director California HIDTA’s Connecting People Changing Communities

Overview Prop 19, what happened CA 2012
Other 2012 State Marijuana Initiatives Celebration / Challenges NORML’S 2013 Conference Federal Response Future Legalization Plans Our Next Steps

Introduction March 24, 2010, the Tax Cannabis 2010 campaign gathered enough signatures needed to qualify for the California ballot. On June 28, 2010, Secretary of state Debra Bowen announced the proposition number for the measure set to appear on the November 2, 2010, Statewide General Election Ballot.

Prop 19 The Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis act of 2010.
Richard Lee Owner: Oaksterdam University, The Bulldog Coffee Shop

Four campaign committees were officially registered as supporting a "yes" vote on Proposition 19.
"Yes on 19. Tax Cannabis Sponsored by S.K. Seymour LLC, a Medical Cannabis Provider, dba Oaksterdam University, a Cannabis Educator“ "Drug Policy Action Committee to Tax and Regulate Marijuana - Yes on Proposition 19“ "Credo Victory Fund - Yes on 19“ "Students for Sensible Drug Policy, David Bronner, Adam Eidinger, and Alan Amsterdam Committee to Regulate Cannabis - Yes on 19"

Supporters-Individuals
Gary E. Johnson: former two term Republican Governor of New Mexico Joycelyn Elders: former United States Surgeon General George Miller: current Democratic House Representative from California's 7th congressional district Barbara Lee: current Democratic House Representative from California's 9th congressional district Pete Stark: current Democratic House Representative from California's 13th congressional district John Dennis: Republican Congressional candidate for California's 8th congressional district Dan Hamburg: former Democratic House Representative from California's 1st congressional district Don Perata:former Democratic President pro tempore of the California State Senate Mark Leno: current Democratic member of the California State Senate Tom Ammiano: current Democratic member of the California State Assembly Jorge Castañeda Gutman: former Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico Larry Bedard: former President of the American College of Emergency Physicians Tom Bates: current Mayor of Berkeley, California James P. Gray: former Superior Court judge of Orange County John A. Russo: current City Attorney of Oakland, California Paul Gallegos: current District Attorney of Humboldt County, California Jeffrey Schwartz: former Senior District Attorney and Prosecutor of Humboldt County, California Terence Hallinan: former District Attorney of San Francisco, California Mike Schmier: former District Attorney of Los Angeles, California and California Administrative Law Judge Norm Stamper:former Seattle, Washington police chief Joseph McNamara: Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution and former Chief of Police of San Jose, California Stephen Downing: former Los Angeles, California police chief David Doodridge: former Los Angeles, California narcotics detective Ed Rosenthal: cannabis activist and columnist Marc Emery: cannabis activist and former cannabis seed seller[20]

Supporters-Organizations
California NAACP Oakland City Council Berkeley City Council Humboldt County Board of Supervisors California NORML Drug Policy Alliance Marijuana Policy Project American Federation of Teachers National Black Police Association National Latino Officers Association Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ACLU of Northern California ACLU of San Diego United Food and Commercial Workers Union Communications Workers of America, Local 9415 International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Northern California District Council Service Employees International Union of California Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative Los Angeles County Democratic Party San Francisco Democratic Party Alameda County Democratic Party Monterey County Democratic Party Santa Barbara County Democratic Party California Young Democrats Republican Liberty Caucus Green Party of California United States Libertarian Party League of United Latin American Citizens

Supporter Donor Amount
S.K. Seymour, LLC / Oaksterdam $1,528,932 George Soros $1,000,000 Peter Lewis $ 218,505 Paul Buchheit $ 105,000 Philip Harvey $ 100,000 Sean Parker $ 100,000 Richard Mazess $ 100,000 Kevin Bright $ ,000 Stephen M. Silberstien $ ,000 Peter Thie $ ,000 Sub-Total $3,367,437 Other $ 673,144 Grand Total $4,050,581

Six campaign committees registered with the California Secretary of State to spend money to defeat Proposition 19. Public Safety First - No on Proposition 19, a Project of California Public Safety First Citizens Against Legalizing Marijuana, a Committee Against Proposition 19 Communities in Action, a Committee Against Proposition 19 Nip It In The Bud: No on Proposition 19 Associated General Contractors Issues Political Action Committee Opposing Proposition 19 Crusades for Patients Rights - No on Prop 19 Sponsored by Canna Care

Opponents-Individuals
Dianne Feinstein: U.S. Senator Laura Dean-Mooney: National President, Mothers Against Drunk Driving Steve Cooley: District Attorney, Los Angeles County Kamala Harris: District Attorney, San Francisco Kevin Nida: President, California State Firefighters Association Senator Barbara Boxer Senator Dianne Feinstein Senate candidate Carly Fiorina Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Attorney General Candidate Kamala Harris Attorney General Candidate Steve Cooley

Opponents-Organizations
The National Black Churches Initiative "Fight Crime, Invest In Kids" The National Association of Drug Court Professionals DARE America Coalition for a Drug-Free California Mothers Against Drunk Driving the California Narcotics Officers Association California Police Chiefs Association The California Cannabis Association The League of California Cities

Opposition Donor Amount
Julie Schauer $ 50,000 California Police Chiefs Association $ 49,999 San Manuel Band of Mission Indians $ 25,000 California Narcotics Officers Association $ 20,500 California Beer & Beverage Distributors $ 10,000 Sub-Total $155,499 Other $164,500 Grand Total $319,999

Proposition 19 Results Defeated
Vote tally: (as of November 16, 2010) No votes: 5,061,119 Yes votes: 4,366,381 Difference: 694,738 (No votes) 54% to 46% We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 13

Polls Date of Poll Pollster In favor Opposed Undecided
APR 20, SurveyUSA % % 3% MAY16, PPIC % % 3% JUL 5, Field % % 8% JUL 25, PPP % % % JUL11, SurveyUSA % % % SEP 1, SurveyUSA % % % SEP 21, Field % % % SEP 21, SurveyUSA % % % SEP 26, PPIC % % % OCT 4, Reuters/lpsos % % % OCT 17, PPIC % % % OCT 20, LA TIMES/USC 39% % % OCT 26, Field % % %

The YES Initiative A “Yes Campaign” has to convince voters that:
1. Not only is the problem their measure seeks to solve a serious issue that demands immediate attention, but 2. That their proposed solution is THE BEST way to do it. We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 15 15

The rebuttal This two-step process puts the Yes side at a disadvantage. To defeat a yes measure, opponents usually have two ways to make their case: 1. They can point out that the problem is not really that important relative to other priorities 2. They can agree the problem needs solving but that this particular ballot measure is the wrong solution. In a marijuana battle we have yet another potential message track 3. That a particular state can’t afford the harm this initiative will cause. We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 16 16

Opposition Issues So, what are the assets the proponents usually count on to lead them to victory? They preach that the War on Drugs is a failure for the following reasons: Our state is facing a fiscal crisis and we can’t afford to waste precious dollars on needless law enforcement activities. Why not capitalize on that underground revenue stream, legalize it and collect tax dollars from it? Marijuana is a benign drug that harms no one and arresting anyone for marijuana use or sales does more harm to the individual than the marijuana itself. If we legalize it, tax it, and regulate it we can keep it out of the hands of youth. Legalizing marijuana will eliminate the drug cartels and end the carnage in Mexico. We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 17 17

Initiative Success Rate
One thing to keep in mind as we go forward is that a lot of initiatives start out with high approval numbers, YET TWO-THIRDS OF ALL BALLOT INITIATIVES FAIL. We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 18 18

Assurance: None But there is no assurance that a particular marijuana legalization measure will go down to defeat without an adequate opposition campaign. We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 19 19

Three Phases Phase 1 Jan – March (research / develop)
Build the Campaign Team Established the Campaign Structure Draft a Plan Research Public Opinion Research Opposition Position Developed Materials –Launched Website Develop Fundraising Plan

Three Phases Phase 2 Apr – Jul (generate capacity)
Launch Fundraising Campaign Meetings w/ Key Allies & Civic Groups Generate Grassroots Outreach & Recruitment Draft the Ballot Argument Build Media Relations Monthly Op Eds. Letters to the Editor Action Letters to Public Officials and Departments Generate Public Media Events Town Hall meetings Community Forums Rally's Debates Interviews Presentations to Community Groups & Organizations

Three Phases Phase 3 Aug – Nov (get the word out) Voter Contact
Disseminate Your Message Through - The Airwaves - PSA’s - Print Ads - Direct Mail - Earned media - Town Hall meetings - Debates - Op Eds

New Partnership Left: Asian community supports no on 19 with traveling billboard and megaphone. Right: John Redman and Paul Chang speak out against Prop 19 at the Asian Correspondence Conference September 1, 2010.

New Partnerships Press Conference: July 7, 2010 Sacrament West steps of the Capitol African American Faith Based Community Speak out Against Legalization

October 15 debate at Loyola Law School
Debates October 15 debate at Loyola Law School From the left: Stephen Gutwillig, Drug Policy Alliance, John Redman, Communities in Action

Interview on KUSI, San Diego
Electronic Media Interview on KUSI, San Diego John Redman of Communities in Action debates Gretchen Burns Bergman of A New Path

Support From Policymakers
October 29th Press Conference, Glendale, CA From the left: John Redman, Alexandra Datig, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Bishop Ron Allen

John Redman, Sheriff Lee Baca, CNOA Director Joe Stewart
Press Conferences From the left: Hon. Nate Holden, MADD, Pasadena Recovery Center, R. Gil Kerlikowske, John Redman, Sheriff Lee Baca, CNOA Director Joe Stewart

Recruit Unlikely Partners

2012 Expectations from the Legalizers
Protect Medical Marijuana Rights Don’t over-penalize year olds Integrate illegal growers into the market Increase the Fear of Prohibition over legalization Stop Portraying MJ as a bad thing that must be controlled Be realistic about what legalization can accomplish Legalize first, test later You can’t treat it like alcohol unless you can test it Consistent statewide regulation Distance legalization from Medical Marijuana Meeting in Colorado 1st quarter Debate training SF National Strategy We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 30

Global Commission on Drug Policy
Result Global Commission on Drug Policy Report Released June 1, 2011 Former Presidents of Brazil , Colombia , Mexico and Switzerland, Prime Minister of Greece , Kofi Annan, Richard Branson, George Shultz, Paul Volcker, Mario Vargas Llosa and Other Leaders Call for Major Paradigm Shift in Global Drug Policy Commission of World Leaders Urges End to Failed Drug War, Fundamental Reforms of Global Drug Prohibition Regime including the legalization of Marijuana We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 31 31

Institute of the Black World
Result Institute of the Black World Report Released June 17, 2011 The IBW calls for an end to the “War on Drugs,” and hosted a forum looking at the impact of those policies on the African American community. Speakers include the Reverend Jesse Jackson, as well as John Conyers (D-MI), the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee. The Institute of the Black World 21st Century Declares War On The “War on Drugs” A Petition to Recruit an Army of Advocates and Organizers To End a Failed Strategy and Create Just and Humane Alternatives We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 32 32

Institute of the Black World
Result Institute of the Black World Report Released June 17, 2011 The Institute of the Black World 21st Century Declares War On The “War on Drugs” A Petition to Recruit an Army of Advocates and Organizers To End a Failed Strategy and Create Just and Humane Alternatives We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 33 33

California Result 6 legalization initiatives in CA
The Regulate Marijuana like Wine Act of 2012 Failed to Qualify 4/6/2012 Reduce Marijuana Penalties Initiative Statute Failed to Qualify 4/18/2012 Repeal Cannabis Prohibition Act of 2012 Failed to Qualify 4/19/2012 CA Medical Marijuana Regulation Control and Taxation Act Withdrew for Circulation, Exact Language used for AB2312 California Cannabis Hemp and Health Initiative Circulation Deadline 6/4/2012 Medical marijuana Patient Associations Initiative Statute Circulation Deadline 8/ We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 34 34

Coalition of Cannabis Policy Reform
The New Prop 19 The Authors Coalition of Cannabis Policy Reform Dale Jones – Chair Allice Huffman – Vice Chair Tom Angell – Media Relations Director LEAP Previously Students for Sensible Drug Policy Graham Boyd – Visiting fellow, Criminal Justice Center, Stanford Previously, Founder ACLU Drug Law Reform Project David Bronner – President Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps Antonio Gonzalez – President, William C. Velasquez Institute Stephen Gutwillig – California Director, Drug Police Alliance Jeff Jones – Marijuana Activist Richard Lee – Founder / President, Oaksterdam University Dan Rush – Special Operations Director for United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 35 35

2012 Marijuana Initiatives in Other States
On November 6, 2012, Colorado and Washington voters approved the legalization of marijuana. In Massachusetts voters approved a medical marijuana initiative. In Oregon and Arkansas, voters defeated reform measures. In Montana, voters approved the legislature's decision to restrict the state's medical marijuana law.

Arkansas Issue 5: Authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
LOSS: 48.56%-51.44%

Colorado Amendment 64: Allow the personal possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults who are 21 and older and allow regulated sales. WIN: 55.33%-44.67%

Massachusetts Question 3: Authorize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. WIN: 63.33%-36.67%

Oregon Measure 80: Repeal Oregon's marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system of taxation and regulation. LOSS: 46.58%-53.42%

Washington Initiative 502: Allow the possession of an ounce of marijuana by adults who are 21 and older and allow regulated sales. WIN: 55.70%-44.30%

Pot smokers gather under Seattle's Space Needle to celebrate legalization of marijuana NBC NEWS
Dustin, left and Paul, both from Puyallup, Wash., and both of whom wouldn't give their last name, smoke marijuana beneath the Space Needle shortly after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, in Seattle, Wash. Dustin and Paul were two of about 100 pot smokers gathered in Seattle's City Center to celebrate the legalization of the possession of marijuana.

Title Garth Carroll, who also goes by the name of "Professor Gizmo," smokes what he describes as "good, greenhouse organic herb" at the base of the Space Needle in Seattle just before midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Carroll is a medical marijuana patient and marijuana activist in Seattle.

Title "It's too good to be just for the young," said 67-year-old Pat Edmonson about the marijuana cigarette she smoked just after midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6, in Seattle. Edmonson, of Whidbey Island, Wash., was in Seattle with her daughter to celebrate the legalization of the possession of marijuana.

4 Year Strategy California NORML‘s 2013 Conference “Cannabis in California: Ending the 100-Year War“, January 28, 2013 SAN FRANCISCO — Energized by pot legalization in Colorado and Washington, marijuana law reformers revealed huge plans Sunday for the next four years in the U.S.

Exit Polls Show… those who voted “No” on 2010 California legalization initiative Prop 19: - 39 percent had friends that smoked pot; - 34 percent were past pot users; - and fifteen percent said they supported legalization. Prop 19 lost by about 400,000 votes, representing just a fraction of the pro-legalizers, former smokers and their friends who voted against their own self-interest.

Rebuild Their Base Troubling base defections drove calls for vigorous and renewed base-building, and a new unity among ever-bickering pro-legalization factions in 2013. Pollster Graham Boyd delivered the sobering Prop 19 exit poll numbers “Lessons from Washington, Colorado & Prop 19″ panel that included: Colorado Amendment 64 campaign co-director Mason Tvert Washington Initiative 592 director Alison Holcomb Prop 19 founder Richard Lee Drug Policy Alliance senior attorney Tamar Todd Prop 19 failed to carry pot-growing epicenter Humboldt County, with 53 percent of Humboldters voting “no” on decriminalization.

Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform.
A Call for Unity Losses have humbled them and they are now committed to working together as part of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform. “Folks in this room are the core of the base. It is going to be vitally important that we do the work of building a coalition that holds together,” Boyd said. The unity theme was widely echoed. Mason Tvert urged California activists to “take the next couple of years to get people ready.”

The 4 Year Plan President Rob Kampia outlined an ambitious four-year agenda for the MPP. Kampia said pot legalization in California in 2016 is going to cost $14 million. Kampia called California legalization in 2016 “ours to lose” in either one of two ways: too radical of an initiative; or severe infighting amongst legalizers. Legalization in Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont by 2016 will cost $9 million, Kampia said. “It really only takes 23 rich guys who can write $1 million checks, and I know 23 rich guys who can write million dollar checks,” Kampia said. Nov “is going to make this last November look boring,” he concluded.

CA Legislation State Senator Mark Leno and Rep. Tom Ammiano brought political gravitas to the conference, as well as a sense of fear from Sacramento about all things pot. Medical marijuana industry regulations will be discussed this February in the state Senate, but Leno said his colleagues are “afraid of their own shadows” when it comes to the popular herb. Rep. Ammiano said 28 new representatives in the Assembly should be open to marijuana law reform, but all efforts face powerful opposition, chiefly from the: California Narcotic Officers Association; and California Police Chiefs Association.

Additional Opposition
The League of California Cities is also aggressively pushing dispensary bans in the name of local control, Ammiano said. Meanwhile the California Chamber of Commerce wants to ensure employers can keep firing workers for weekend or vacation pot use, Leno said.

Amiano’s Predictions Rep. Ammiano said California medical marijuana crackdown would end “soon”, either with the transfer of US Attorney Melinda Haag or the resignation of Attorney General Holder. Rep. Ammiano thanked Washington and Colorado for “massaging things” and called Ms. Haag’s closure of scores of licensed Bay Area dispensaries “drone strikes” and a “jihad”

Harborside Harborside Health Center attorney Henry Wykowski said the world’s largest marijuana dispensary will remain open by federal order, and the Oakland club intends to vanquish Ms. Haag in a juried Bay Area trial, which could set nationwide precedent. The 300 or so people in the room Saturday erupted into cheers, and the large convention hall took on the aura of a Southern Baptist revival. All that was missing was an organist and a choir.

A Random Note Sen. Leno said that if he ever has the honor of serving San Francisco in the House of Representatives, he would “make marijuana issues a priority”. Sen. Leno is termed out in four years. Rep. Pelosi faces no term limits.

By CHARLIE SAVAGE Published: December 6, 2012 Federal officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Several cautioned that the issue had raised complex legal and policy considerations — including enforcement priorities, litigation strategy and the impact of international antidrug treaties — that remain unresolved, and that no decision was imminent. The United States Attorney in Seattle, Jenny A. Durkan warned Washington residents that the drug remained illegal. “In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance,” she said. “Regardless of any changes in state law, including the change that will go into effect on December 6 in Washington State, growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law.” Ms. Durkan’s statement also hinted at the deliberations behind closed doors, saying: “The Department of Justice is reviewing the legalization initiatives recently passed in Colorado and Washington State. The department’s responsibility to enforce the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged.”

Future Legalization Plans

DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN VERMONT
Gov. Pete Shumlin (D), a strong supporter of decriminalizing marijuana, partially campaigned on the issue and easily won reelection on November 6 with 58% of the vote. The Vermont legislature is poised to pass the bill he wants, so this legislation could become law by this summer.

LEGALIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Incoming Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) is a strong supporter of medical marijuana, she is expected to sign a medical marijuana bill similar to those vetoed by former Gov. John Lynch (D) in 2009 and 2012.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN THE RHODE ISLAND LEGISLATURE
Medical marijuana was legalized and marijuana possession was decriminalized in Rhode Island in 2009 and 2012, respectively. There is now considerable momentum to tax and regulate (T&R) marijuana like alcohol, and Rhode Island’s state legislature could become the first to do so.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION IN CALIFORNIA, MAINE, AND OREGON
There will be a sincere effort to pass T&R bills through the legislatures in these three states. Should they fall short, MPP and its allies will pursue statewide ballot initiatives in November 2016, at which time all three will be expected to pass.

BUILD SUPPORT ONLINE People have said that the Internet is marijuana legalization’s best friend, and this could not have been more evident than it was last year. Campaigns mobilized their supporters, organizations raised funds, and the public was able to follow the progress in real time. Prohibitionists, who have depended on the government for its largess for years, are now at a disadvantage. Private citizens simply do not want to donate to them, and most information about marijuana is now reaching the public without being run through their filter.

CONTINUE THE STEADY DRUMBEAT IN THE MEDIA
National and local media outlets are covering the marijuana issue more than ever before. Communicating to voters through news coverage is the most cost-efficient way to increase public support for ending marijuana prohibition.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN CONGRESS
There are already approximately 185 members of the U.S. House who want to stop the U.S. Justice Department from spending taxpayer money on raiding medical marijuana businesses in the 18 states (and D.C.) where medical marijuana is legal. They want to reach 218 votes on this amendment, thereby ensuring the amendment's transfer to the U.S. Senate for an up-or-down vote.

BUILD SUPPORT FOR ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IN CONGRESS
Last year, the first-ever bill to legalize marijuana attracted 21 sponsors. Their goal is to expand the number of sponsors to more than two-dozen during the election season.

Challenges Normalization in popular culture
Lack of anti-marijuana news coverage Organized Marijuana legalization effort Few prevention strategies specifically focused on marijuana Widespread ambivalence, misinformation among youth, parents and society in general We face many challenges as marijuana preventionists, popular culture says its ok and harmless to use marijuana, the media doesn’t cover the negative effects, there are only a few of us doing the work, and there is a widespread ambivalence and misinformation not only among youth and parents but our law makers and fellow prevention workers as well. We face daily hardships and challenges in our work, but with the harsh truths of this worldwide drug problem, we have decided the work is worth the effort. Here are some examples of commonly believed myths we face everyday 66 66

Our Plan What We Need to Build
A Standing Army of United Professionals Supporting Sound Drug Policy

Thank You

Title Information

Implementation Puget Sound Business Journal Jan 22, 2013
Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is advising the State Liquor Control Board to move forward on initial steps for creating a legal recreational marijuana market after a visit in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

June 1st Seeds in the Ground December 1st Pot Shops to open
Washington State June 1st Seeds in the Ground December 1st Pot Shops to open

Challenges Information

Amendment 64: Business organizations ask feds to clamp down on Colorado marijuana measure By Sam Levin Wed., Dec Now, a coalition of business groups opposed to legalization is urging the federal government to enforce the Controlled Substances Act. The coalition is made up of twenty business organizations across the state, mainly chambers of commerce and economic development corporations. This group has put its message into letters to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and President Barack Obama, as well as Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Attorney General John Suthers, asking them for their support.

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