Business View Magazine - Sept 2023

88 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 9 Charting the Course: MPP’s Vision for the Future of Cannabis Looking ahead, O’Keefe notes the MPP’s commitment to fostering dialogue and disseminating knowledge. “Earlier this year, we marked our presence at the National Cannabis Festival in Washington DC, offering insights through speakers and booths. The pandemic prompted us to pivot towards virtual town halls, which have now become a staple in our outreach efforts, allowing members from various locations to engage,” she explains. She also highlights the organization’s participation in numerous conferences, including the National Conference of State Legislators, and the association’s proactive approach to hosting in-person town halls, especially in states where its advocacy is most pronounced. With an optimistic tone, O’Keefe outlines the organization’s priorities for the coming years. “Given the necessary resources, we anticipate more states to transition from cannabis prohibition to legalization. We’re particularly hopeful about Ohio’s potential ballot initiative this November and are laying the groundwork for future legalization in states like Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and New Hampshire,” she states. However, she also underscores the challenges ahead. “While popular support for legalization is evident, we’ve witnessed several initiatives falter recently. The remaining states present a more formidable challenge legislatively. To truly transform the cannabis landscape, we urge members to remain engaged and support our mission to replace the outdated prohibition model with a regulated system,” she emphasizes. In a world where change is the only constant, the Marijuana Policy Project shows the power of advocacy, vision, and relentless effort. As the cannabis landscape continues to evolve, the MPP will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future.