Editing Marijuana Policy Project (section)

== History ==

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) co-founders [[Rob Kampia]], Michael Kirshner, and Chuck Thomas previously worked at the [[National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws]] (NORML). In 1995, after months of internal debate, NORML director [[Richard Cowan (cannabis activist)|Richard Cowan]] fired a staffer who had been pressing him for organizational change. Kampia, Kirshner and Thomas departed immediately thereafter and began creating their own organization, implementing ideas they had futilely pursued at NORML.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n237/a06.html?127|title=US MA: Column: You Down With MPP?|website=Media Awareness Project|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref> On January 25, 1995, the three activists incorporated the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) as a not-for-profit organization in the [[Washington, D.C.|District of Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web|author=James S. Huggins |url=http://www.jamesshuggins.com/h/oth1/drug_policy_organizations.htm |title=Drug Policy Organizations |publisher=Jamesshuggins.com |access-date=2012-06-07}}</ref> Kampia served as MPP's executive director until December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marijuanamoment.net/rob-kampia-leaves-marijuana-policy-project/|title=Rob Kampia Leaves Marijuana Policy Project - Marijuana Moment|website=www.marijuanamoment.net|date=December 24, 2017 }}</ref> Matthew Schweich, who joined MPP as the director of state campaigns in early 2015, served as interim executive director until August 2018, when the organization named [[Steven W. Hawkins]] its new executive director.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/marijuana-policy-project-announces-leadership-changes/|title=Marijuana Policy Project Announces Leadership Changes, Begins National Search for New Executive Director - Cannabis Business Times|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Jeff |title=Marijuana Policy Project chooses rights activist Steven Hawkins as executive director |url=https://mjbizdaily.com/marijuana-policy-project-chooses-criminal-justice-reformer-rights-activist-as-executive-director/ |access-date=21 August 2018 |publisher=Marijuana Business Daily |date=August 14, 2018}}</ref> In December 2021, Hawkins stepped down and [[Toi Hutchinson]] was appointed president and CEO.<ref>{{cite press release|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=Marijuana Policy Project Announces New President and CEO|url=https://www.mpp.org/news/press/marijuana-policy-project-announces-new-president-and-ceo/|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Marijuana Policy Project|date=December 15, 2021|access-date=July 18, 2022}}</ref>

MPP has grown to over 40,000 dues-paying members and is the largest marijuana policy reform group in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Is The Marijuana Policy Project? |url=https://herb.co/learn/what-is-the-marijuana-policy-project/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=herb.co |language=en}}</ref> The organization has approximately 35 staffers and an annual budget of about $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=myFM News/Oldies 107 7 |title=MPP Yakabuski announces $5-million in funding for the Pembroke Regional Hospital |url=https://www.pembroketoday.ca/2022/04/25/mpp-yakabuski-announces-5-million-in-funding-for-the-pembroke-regional-hospital/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=104.9 Pembroke Today |language=en}}</ref>