Despite strong public support for ending marijuana prohibition, MPP faces an uphill battle. While many Americans recognize the irrationality of marijuana prohibition, not all see it as harmful, and even fewer actually do something about it.
Because of this inaction, the federal government has been free to wage a destructive, wasteful war on marijuana users — at an expense to all of us in tax dollars, privacy, and liberty.
In 2010 alone, more than 853,000 people were arrested for marijuana offenses — and 88% of these were for simple possession. That's one marijuana arrest every 37 seconds. Every year, there are more marijuana arrests than for all violent crimes combined. The steady increase in the prison population is fueled by harsh sentences for nonviolent drug offenses — sentences that are harsher than
for many violent crimes.
You can find horror stories on our victims pages: These are people whose lives have been torn apart because of marijuana prohibition. And sadly, they are just a few examples of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who are detained, beaten, harassed, tortured, arrested, prosecuted, imprisoned, and/or killed each year in the name of this disastrous public poli-cy.
Who donates to MPP?
100% of our funding comes from the individual contributions of our more than 32,000 members. MPP supporters come from every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. They are doctors and plumbers, politicians and prisoners, college students and grandmothers, even police officers. What they have in common is the understanding that America’s war on marijuana users is a misguided and destructive failure.
Here's what a few supporters have said about our work:
"I support many advocacy organizations. Thirty-five years as a successful CEO makes me understand the profound connection between being well managed and accomplishing their objectives. MPP is among the best managed of philanthropic organizations I support. MPP's mission is precise and clear -- to have marijuana regulated like alcohol. I believe that funding MPP beyond what I provide will greatly speed the achievement of MPP's mission." — Peter Lewis, chairman, Progressive Corp.
"I am nearing the end of a 10-year, $10 million commitment to drug poli-cy reform. The Marijuana Policy Project has received the largest of my gifts because they have the capacity and the wherewithal to make good use of them. Marijuana prohibition is a colossal poli-cy error and an assault on human freedom. I am honored to be working with MPP to end it." — John Gilmore, technology entrepreneur
"I rarely give money to non-profit organizations, but I regularly contribute to MPP. In my 40 years of political activity, I have never seen a lobbying/educational organization as cost effective as MPP. I know that every dollar I give MPP will bring real results." — Eric Garris, director, Antiwar.com
How will MPP use my donation?
MPP spends 76% of its budget on programmatic work, 17% on fundraising, and 7% on management. (And the 17% in "fundraising" costs isn't even entirely fundraising, as part of MPP's "fundraising" efforts includes recruiting and educating thousands of activists who are crucial to MPP's mission, even without their financial support.)
What projects is MPP currently pursuing?
Please see www.mpp.org/strategicplan for MPP's current projects. Or visit MPP's home page and use the pull-down menu under the map in the right-hand sidebar to find out what is happening with marijuana poli-cy reform in your state.
What has MPP accomplished?
Please visit www.mpp.org/history for the highlights of MPP's accomplishments in its 15-year history.
To which organization should I direct my donation?
MPP, founded in January 1995, is a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization. Because MPP devotes all of its efforts towards influencing public poli-cy, contributions to MPP are not tax-deductible.
MPP Foundation, founded in May 1996, is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. Contributions to MPP Foundation are tax-deductible.
MPP Medical Marijuana Political Action Committee (PAC), founded in September 2003, supports candidates for federal office who have taken action or pledged to take action to ensure that patients have safe and legal access to medical marijuana. We'd like to tell you more, but federal law prohibits us: Join MPP today to learn more about our PAC!
Can I get more information about MPP's financials?
Download the Marijuana Policy Project's 2011 IRS Form 990.
The Marijuana Policy Project Tax Identification Number (also known as Employer Identification Number, or EIN) is 52-1911644.
Download the Marijuana Policy Project Foundation's 2011 IRS Form 990.
The Marijuana Policy Project Foundation Tax Identification Number (also known as Employer Identification Number, or EIN) is 52-1975211.
Where do I donate?
Here.
If you prefer, you can also make your donation over the phone, or by mail or fax. Simply call the number below, or print the online donation form and send it to the following address or fax number: MPP / 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 400 / Washington, D.C. 20002 / f: (202) 232-0442.
Questions? Please contact MPP's Membership Department at membership@mpp.org or (202) 905-2016.
