Weedists

morgan fox marijuana policy project Source https://mail.google.com/mail/ca/u/0/?ui=2&ik=6beea47a89&view=att&th=13d380918ab37e57&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=c687e734eddf4dde_0.1.1&zw&atsh=1Weedists: Meet Morgan Fox

“Weedists are the people who are out there fighting the good fight and these are their stories.”

Morgan Fox is the Communications Manager for Marijuana Policy Project. He is from Cleveland, but has lived and worked in Washington DC since he joined MPP in 2008. We at Weedist recently talked with him about his efforts with Marijuana Policy Project.

How does the Marijuana Policy Project differ from other advocacy organizations, and why do you feel people should support MPP specifically?

MPP focuses specifically on lobbying and changing laws. All the major advocacy organizations perform different roles, and all of them are necessary to end marijuana prohibition. MPP is simply the group that concentrates on state and federal lobbying and on running ballot initiatives, as opposed to focusing on legal aid, research, or public education (even though we do a little bit of everything). MPP has been involved in most of the state-level reform victories since 2000, and we have a proven track record of success.

Why did you personally join MPP? With what you’ve learned at the organization, do you one day see yourself going into politics or a business with a cannabis focus, or will you remain on the non-profit/lobbying side of things?

I have personal experiences with the harms of prohibition, and as I got older it became clearer that this was a policy that had a serious negative impact on my community, beyond simple arrests. Working in marijuana policy has taught me volumes about a wide variety of subjects, and I’ve learned far more skills here than I would have thought possible, so I feel like I have a lot of options that I could pursue once marijuana is made legal. I don’t want to box myself in one way or the other in terms of future plans, but I could see doing an amalgam of all the things you mentioned. I feel like the world is quickly becoming a place where we can create our own niches and approach our careers and life goals with a larger picture in mind, integrating many ideas and disciplines.

Looking over MPP’s Vision Statement and Mission Statement, Weedist has very similar goals. We focus on teaching our readers about the science, consumption, laws, legal challenges, etc. of cannabis. And are ultimately looking to garner support from voters for full legalization. Of course, the large difference between us is MPP’s advocacy with legislators, specifically your drive to gain influence with Congress. What are you guys working on at the moment, and in the near future, to gain additional traction in this arena?

Unfortunately, we don’t have nearly as much traction in Congress as we do in the state legislatures, which is why we primarily concentrate on changing state law. However, we do consistently try to get bills introduced and discussed at the federal level. There are currently a slate of bills before Congress that would offer various levels of protection or legitimacy for states that are changing their marijuana laws, including a bill that would remove marijuana from the control of the DEA and would allow states to determine their own policies. The best tool for gaining traction in Congress, however, is changing state laws. Just like alcohol prohibition ended after enough states refused to enforce the federal laws, so too will marijuana prohibition likely end.

Marijuana Policy Project 2013 Source http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/2b/Marijuana_Policy_Project_logo.png/200px-Marijuana_Policy_Project_logo.pngAs part of those 2013 plans, a significant portion of your focus seems to be on building support to tax and regulate marijuana like alcohol in Rhode Island, California, Maine and Oregon. Can you share any specifics on what your efforts in each of these states are focused on at the moment? I know with the latter three states, MPP is confident of state-wide ballot initiatives passing in 2016.

The specifics are different for every state, but we will definitely be using the lessons we learned in 2010 and last year to inform our strategy for 2016.

How has MPP used the Internet as a weapon for change? Are there things beyond an easier reach to larger audiences and making fundraising easier?

Being able to quickly spread information and to motivate people to get active, even if it is simply mouse-button advocacy, is immensely useful. Particularly when it comes to politicians, the Internet gives us the ability to more easily connect voters and supporters to their lawmakers and help convince them to get behind marijuana reform.

Over the last couple of months (since the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado), there has clearly been a lot of buzz in the media about the topic of legalization. What is your strategy for keeping that dialogue from becoming stale and disappearing from the front pages, and making sure this great momentum continues?

The issue seems to be doing that itself. The fact that so many states are currently considering marijuana reform measures has kept marijuana continuously in the news, and as we get further and further over the tipping point of public opinion, the level of interest is only going to accelerate. Not only among the public, but among politicians who are finally getting in line with the people.

Does MPP have any 2014 goals for its Strategic Plan next year at this point, or will the success or failure of the 2013 Strategic Plan largely drive those goals next year?

We are working on plans for 2014, as well as incorporating work that must be done in 2014 into our overall strategy for the next presidential election year, but I don’t think we’re quite ready to make a solid 2014 plan until we get an idea for how the political landscape looks in 9-10 months.

MPP has more than 125,000 members and supports. May I ask approximately how much the organization received in donations in 2012, and what the projected totals are for 2013? And about how many are large donors – those giving over $25,000?

I don’t have that info off the top of my head, but I’m pretty sure it is a matter of public record.

In 2012, MPP held two ‘awareness events’ in California – the Summer Solstice Party and the Bootleggers Ball – and one in Tribeca – New York Benefit. How do these events help get the word out? Does MPP have plans to host those same events again in 2013? Are there other events planned in addition to these?

These are primarily fundraisers, and we will be having similar events again this year. You can sign up for email alerts at MPP.org to get updates and information when it becomes available.

Rob Kampia co-founded the Marijuana Policy Project back in January 1995. Since that time, Rob has been pushing and progressing “the cause” for almost two decades. Does he have any plans to step down from his role with the organization any time soon, or does he plan on seeing prohibition of marijuana through to its inevitable end? We all hope for the latter!

I don’t like to speak for other people, but my guess would be the latter. At this point, he is one of the top two marijuana reform fundraisers in history, in addition to being a sharp political strategist.

I’m looking to end on a bit lighter, personal tone…Do you have a particular favorite cannabis destination to relax? Do you have a favorite strain of marijuana?

Well, DC is quite a different animal from most of the West Coast, but I travel to Seattle pretty frequently and have always been a fan of Blue Dream, and real White Widow, if I can find it. I haven’t been there since I-502 passed, so I’m pretty excited for my next visit. It will feel great to see what that looks like after working on this issue for the last 5 years. Of course, I need to get to Colorado first so I can see some of my own efforts bearing fruit!

Thank you Morgan! Weedist and our readers are very appreciative of you taking the time to answer some questions, and big fans of the work you and your colleagues at MPP are doing.