Medical Marijuana Policy Reform 1
Medical Marijuana Policy Reform
Briany Martin
UST 458
Medical Marijuana Policy Reform 2
As medical breakthroughs seem to emerge there is one that seems to be of surprise.
Currently federally illegal, cannabis sativa otherwise known as marijuana. Understanding this is
currently a schedule 1 drug, it is very shocking to come across this discovery. Taking the stance
on the legal aspects of this policy area, one in particular is Marijuana Policy Project (MPP).
Marijuana Policy Project has had a big part in this as now 23 states and the nation’s capital
(District of Columbia) have legalized marijuana for medicinal usage with a doctor’s
recommendation. MPP has also had help in this action by other actors such as, National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), Stop the Drug War, Americans For
Safe Access, Toke of the Town and Cannabis Culture.
The formal policy actors in play is Marijuana Policy Project, they are in6uencing the area
of medical marijuana by creating policies for individual states to pass (by majority vote) allowing
the citizens of such state to begin to grow, distribute and regulate marijuana for the medicinal
benefit. Marijuana Policy Project has made serious effort and change in these 23 states and
the District of Columbia, they are also working on creating a policy that will be utilized on a
federal level. There have been problems with certain states having their rights invaded as
marijuana still remains a schedule 1 substance on the controlled substance act. A policy was
constructed by Marijuana Policy Project in their marijuana policy reform in the 114th congress
stating.
“Protecting the Principle of Federalism in Marijuana Policies: Rep. Dana
Rohrabacher (R-CA) reintroduced H.R. 1940, the Respect State Marijuana Laws
Act with strong bipartisan support. This legislation would modify the federal
Controlled Substances Act to protect anyone acting in compliance with state
Medical Marijuana Policy Reform 3
marijuana laws from federal prosecution and resolve the conflict between state
and federal marijuana laws, ensuring states can determine their own policies.”
(MPP Federal Policy, 2016)
Other policy actors in this area of policy is NORML (National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws), Stop The Drug War, Americans For Safe Access, Toke of the Town and
Cannabis Culture. Having other support is a big reason why there has been such progress in the
reformation of medical marijuana laws. This has allowed for more pro medical marijuana
perspectives, there for a beer understanding of its beneficial properties and legal progress.
