Business View Magazine - Sept 2023

85 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 MARI JUANA POL ICY PROJECT Who stands behind this organization? A vast and diverse group, as O’Keefe describes: “We have about 300,000 people signed up to our email alerts and around 400,000 followers on social media. Our supporters range from libertarians to those motivated by social justice, cannabis consumers, medical users, and even those in the cannabis industry.” This broad spectrum of supporters, which includes industry professionals, showcases the widespread belief in MPP’s mission. However, it’s crucial to note, as O’Keefe emphasizes, “We’re not a trade group, we’re not an industry group. We’re a broad- based organization that works for good policy and what we think is the better approach for cannabis.” Advocacy and the Changing Landscape of Cannabis Policy O’Keefe sheds light on the core objectives of the MPP, stating, “One of our primary goals is to legalize the consumption, purchase, and personal cultivation of cannabis for adults.” Beyond this fundamental aim, the organization is deeply invested in addressing the multifaceted repercussions of cannabis prohibition. “We’ve been actively working on legislation, especially in Maryland, to ensure that individuals on parole, probation, or pretrial release aren’t penalized merely for cannabis use unless there’s a specific risk or reason.” She further underscores the organization’s commitment to justice and equity, highlighting its efforts to “ensure that the odor of cannabis isn’t grounds for a search, support the expungement of records and release of those previously arrested for cannabis offenses, and promote diversity in licensing.” The organization also provides technical assistance to cannabis business applicants and establishes community assistance funds. These measures aim to alleviate startup costs for social equity applicants, typically those from areas disproportionately affected by cannabis arrests. “We’re also keen on fostering a workable industry, free from overly burdensome regulations and taxes, ensuring a competitive legal market as opposed to the illicit one,” she adds. Addressing the public sentiment on cannabis legalization, O’Keefe references the Gallup poll, a long-standing barometer of public opinion. “Gallup has been gauging the American sentiment on cannabis legalization since the 70s. When I began my journey with MPP two decades ago, the support stood at 34%. Remarkably, over the past three years, this figure has soared to 68%,” she notes. This shift isn’t confined to a particular demographic or political affiliation. “The support spans across Democrats, independents, and even a majority of Republicans. Every age group, as per the generational divisions, now exhibits majority support for legalization,” O’Keefe says, emphasizing the bipartisan and cross- generational momentum behind cannabis reform. Navigating the Patchwork: State- by-State Cannabis Laws Nevertheless, O’Keefe is quick to point