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Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition ( MassCann ) is a non-profit public education organization working for the moderation of marijuana laws. MassCann organizes the Freedom Rally on Boston Common every third Saturday in September. Their newsletter, Mass Grass , is published six times annually. Membership is open to the public and leadership is democratically elected at the annual winter membership meeting, usually held in March. In June 2019, MassCann had its status as an affiliate of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws suspended due to controversy surrounding now former Board Member Samson Racioppi.

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65-505: MassCann was founded October 21, 1990, by Steven S. Epstein, Linda Noel, John Hardin, Madelyn Webster, Gary Insuik, Christopher Perron, John Miqliorini, Therese Slye and Ron Massad. Linda Noel was the first president and was also active with the High Times Freedom Fighters . Steven Epstein was the first clerk and Madelyn (Maddy) Webster was the first treasurer. In 1991 Dave Getchell was elected president, but after just

130-449: A "clear opposition to bigotry." MassCann called an emergency board meeting on 1 July 2020 in response to the suspension of their chapter status. After the board unanimously called for his removal from the board, Racioppi ultimately resigned. Members also called for the removal of Bill Flynn as board member and president due to persistent "bullying" of members, vendors, and partners. Other board members alleged that Flynn's behavior had caused

195-504: A $ 100 civil fine for a first offense and a $ 100 criminal fine for a second offense. In May 2011, the Delaware Legislature passed and Gov. Jack Markell signed SB 17, which allows qualified, registered patients to obtain three ounces of marijuana every 14 days from state-regulated compassion centers. MPP led the two-year grassroots and lobbying efforts to pass the bill, which is based on MPP's model bill. This made Delaware

260-681: A 60-working-day review process in Congress. MPP, along with the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), was instrumental in passing this legislation—by assisting with bill drafting, meeting with members of the D.C. Council, participating in working groups, testifying at hearings, and generating constituent advocacy in support of the bill. Illinois In August 2013, Gov. Pat Quinn signed medical marijuana legislation passed by

325-465: A ballot initiative campaign backed by MPP, successfully passed Ballot Measure 2, making Alaska the fourth state to end marijuana prohibition and replace it with a system in which marijuana is taxed and regulated like alcohol. In 2004, MPP provided the majority of funding for an initiative to regulate marijuana in Alaska, which failed with 44% of the vote (but still set what was at the time the record for

390-581: A ballot initiative to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adult use. In November 2012, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, a ballot initiative campaign backed by MPP, successfully passed Amendment 64, making legal in Colorado the possession, use, production, distribution, and personal cultivation of marijuana. MPP also played a lead role in drafting and campaigning for the historic initiative. In November 2009, MPP successfully lobbied for

455-648: A bill that allows patients' designated caregivers to raise an affirmative defense for possession of medical marijuana. In April 2014, Gov. Martin O'Malley signed legislation making Maryland the 21st medical marijuana state. MPP lobbied in support of medical marijuana legislation in Maryland for more than a decade. The legislation will allow state residents suffering from certain qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. It will also permit registered cultivators to grow medical marijuana and up to 15 licensed marijuana dispensaries to distribute

520-627: A civil offense punishable by a fine of up to $ 100 for a first offense, up to $ 250 for a second offense, and up to $ 500 for subsequent offenses. Third-time offenders and individuals under 21 years of age will be required to undergo a clinical assessment for substance abuse disorder and a drug education program. MPP is proud to be a member of the Marijuana Policy Coalition of Maryland, which led the charge for this sensible marijuana policy reform in Maryland. Minnesota In May 2014, Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation making Minnesota

585-479: A contract lobbyist and a staffer who devoted most of her time to Pennsylvania. MPP helped ensure the bill language was as strong as possible and worked on advocacy and communications, including creating videos of families from Campaign for Compassion. The new law is one of the stronger ones to pass through a legislature. Its broad list of qualifying conditions includes intractable pain and PTSD and up to 150 dispensaries will be allowed. Rhode Island In January 2006,

650-561: A criminal offense carrying possible jail time to a violation punishable by a non-criminal fine. MPP's lobbying team led the two-and-a-half-year advocacy effort, working closely with Clergy for a New Drug Policy and other allies. Maryland In April and May 2011, the Maryland General Assembly approved and Gov. Martin O'Malley signed an affirmative defense bill, removing criminal penalties from qualifying patients who possess up to an ounce of marijuana and establishing

715-623: A few months Dave handed the job to Bill Downing who served as president until 2004. Steven Epstein, an attorney, was elected treasurer in 1991 and remained treasurer through January 2012. MassCann seeks to raise public awareness about Cannabis sativa' s use and potential in Massachusetts To those ends MC leaders and members have written, published, spoken, debated, marched, rallied, organized, donated, illustrated, and otherwise volunteered in numerous ways. In January 2020, MassCann elected Samson Racioppi to its board of directors. Racioppi

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780-526: A fine-only misdemeanor. Marijuana possession by those under 18 would be subject to the jurisdiction of juvenile court, and they would typically receive substance abuse education. MPP led the multi-year lobbying effort for the law. New York In July 2014, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation making New York the 23rd medical marijuana state. The law's passage is the product of many years of work by legislative champions, patients, their loved ones, and advocacy organizations, including MPP, Compassionate Care NY, and

845-549: A friend from high school, Jim Wilson, to become a columnist for High Times . Wilson became known as Chef Ra and contributed a cooking-with-pot article in every issue of the magazine for 15 years. Chef Ra was also a member of the High Times Freedom Fighters and became the featured speaker at many of the rallies. In 1990, Hager became the first person outside Marin County, California to promote 420 ; as

910-514: A result, subsequent Freedom Fighter councils, Cannabis Cup ceremonies, and Whee! festivals were always scheduled for 4:20 PM. In September 1991, Hager wrote an article in High Times titled "Heritage of Stone," a comprehensive analysis of the assassination of John F. Kennedy that has been widely circulated on the Internet as a definitive article on the subject. The article indicated Kennedy

975-517: A total of up to 20 locations—in the entire state. MPP continues work to improve the law. Ohio On June 8, 2016, Gov. John Kasich signed House Bill 523 into law, making Ohio the 25th state to adopt a workable medical marijuana law. The legislation, passed by the Ohio General Assembly the previous week, will allow seriously ill patients to use and purchase medical cannabis that will be cultivated and processed in-state. This legislation

1040-558: A two-year lobbying effort and helping elect a governor who supports sensible marijuana policies. In June 2013, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed legislation passed by the Vermont Legislature to decriminalize the simple possession of marijuana. MPP led the nearly four-year lobbying effort for the law, which reduces the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana to a civil fine for adults 21 and older. Minors will typically be required to complete diversion. In January 2018,

1105-586: A vote of no-confidence in Flynn as president of the organization. Throughout the discussion surrounding Flynn, members continuously called to ban Flynn from MassCann as a whole, and the board encouraged members to request a vote calling for his removal as a board member and member of MassCann. The group organizes the Freedom Rally held on the third Saturday in September on Boston Common. It is traditionally

1170-531: A work group to study a more comprehensive law. The bill improves upon a sentencing mitigation bill the legislature enacted in 2003, following four years of lobbying by MPP. MPP also played a leading role in the 2011 victory, including in-person lobbying, working with patients, and testifying before legislative committees. In May 2013, Gov. O'Malley signed a research-oriented medical marijuana bill to allow teaching hospitals to apply to an independent commission to run medical marijuana programs. Gov. O'Malley also signed

1235-507: Is also President of Super Happy Fun America , which has organized events surrounding Straight pride and Blue Lives Matter . Amid the George Floyd protests of 2020 , SHFA organized a rally supporting Law Enforcement which took place on 25 June 2020. In response to MassCann members' and the general public's reaction to Racioppi's role in the rally, MassCann had its affiliation with the national NORML organization suspended until it shows

1300-486: The COVID-19 pandemic , Hager created a podcast titled Everything You Know is Twisted . On April 19, 2024, Hager released an expose on Youtube titled: Origins of High Times magazine. The film accuses the lawyer Micheal Kennedy of stealing the magazine from the employees. Marijuana Policy Project The Marijuana Policy Project ( MPP ) is the largest organization working solely on marijuana policy reform in

1365-531: The Marijuana Policy Project and inspired their funding of a statewide decriminalization ballot initiative. That initiative passed by a comfortable 30+ point margin (34.8% opposed; 65.2% for). High Times Freedom Fighters Steven Hager (born May 25, 1951, Illinois) is an American writer, journalist, filmmaker, and counterculture and cannabis rights activist . He is known for his long association with High Times magazine. Hager

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1430-702: The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), and began concentrating on creating events that advocated the environmental benefits of hemp while also demonstrating the spiritual uses of cannabis . The World Hemp Expo Extravaganja, or WHEE! Festivals, were held in Oregon , Washington , Michigan , New York , and Ohio . Unfortunately, most of the promoters who held Whee! festivals found themselves subject to intense law enforcement efforts to shut down their venues. The primary focus of Whee!

1495-510: The United States in terms of its budget, number of members, and staff. Its stated aims are to: (1) increase public support for non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies; (2) identify and activate supporters of non-punitive, non-coercive marijuana policies; (3) change state laws to reduce or eliminate penalties for the medical and non-medical use of marijuana; and (4) gain influence in Congress. MPP advocates taxing and regulating

1560-675: The United States . One rally, The Boston Freedom Rally, quickly became the largest political event in the country, drawing an audience of over 100,000 to the Boston Common . Hager created a garage rock revival band called the Soul Assassins. The band played many of the hemp rallies. Their biggest show was opening for the Butthole Surfers in front of 50,000 people in Washington, DC . As editor, Hager brought on

1625-758: The hip-hop movement of the South Bronx . His first article on this subculture was published in 1982 on the cover of the Village Voice , and was the first time the words "hip hop" appeared in a major publication. Hager based his article on interviews with Afrika Bambaataa , founder of the Universal Zulu Nation , and one of the three original hip hop DJs (the others being Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash ). Not too long afterward, Hager sold his original story, "The Perfect Beat," to Harry Belafonte , who took some elements from it, including

1690-498: The 16th state, plus the District of Columbia, to adopt a medical marijuana law. District of Columbia In March 2014, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray signed a bill removing all criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and replacing them with a civil fine of $ 25. Police will also no longer have grounds to search individuals simply based on the smell of marijuana. Before the bill can become law, however, it must undergo

1755-497: The 2013 film 420: The Documentary and provides the history of the phrase and its ceremonial use, as well as his role in spreading awareness on the spiritual aspects of cannabis. On April 19, 2021, Hager released his first film in 13 years, Green Easter . In December, 2023, Hager announced the creation of a peace sanctuary and festival site to be created in the Catskills. The opening ceremonies, titled "Camp Fun," will be held on

1820-571: The 22nd medical marijuana state. MPP and its local affiliate worked for several years to bring about the victory. The law allows qualifying patients to obtain preparations of marijuana from eight locations. It does not allow smoking. New Hampshire In July 2013, Gov. Maggie Hassan signed a bill approved by the New Hampshire Legislature to legalize medical marijuana, making New Hampshire the 19th medical marijuana state. MPP worked for several years to bring about this victory in

1885-785: The Arizona Medical Marijuana Policy Project, a ballot initiative campaign backed by MPP, successfully passed a ballot initiative making the use and possession of medical marijuana legal and establishing approximately 120 non-profit dispensaries around the state. This made Arizona the 15th state to adopt a medical marijuana law. In September 2013, the Marijuana Policy Project initiated a campaign to legalize marijuana in Arizona for recreational use. In November 2016, Proposition 64—a legalization initiative supported by MPP—successfully passed

1950-655: The Committee for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (CRML) in support of a proposed statewide ballot initiative that would decriminalize adult possession of marijuana in Massachusetts. Though the all-volunteer signature drive gathered over 20,000 signatures, it fell short of the required 57,000 and the initiative effort was abandoned. Beginning in 1996 MassCann activists targeted state senatorial and representative districts with public policy questions on local ballots. These non-binding ballot questions were run in districts where

2015-433: The Delaware Legislature passed and Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill to reduce the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana to a simple fine. MPP led the two-year lobbying effort for the law, which reduces the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana to a civil fine for adults 21 and older. Minors under the age of 18 will be subject to a $ 100 criminal fine, while those between 18 and 21 will be subject to

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2080-400: The Drug Policy Alliance. The new law will protect certain seriously ill patients who use marijuana pursuant to their doctors' advice from civil and criminal penalties. A number of modifications were made at the insistence of Gov. Cuomo. As a result, patients will not be allowed to smoke medical cannabis, the law will sunset after seven years, and there will be no more than five manufacturers—with

2145-499: The Granite State. The 2013 legislation will allow patients with serious illnesses to obtain marijuana from four nonprofit, state-licensed alternative treatment centers. On July 18, 2017, Gov. Chris Sununu signed HB 640 into law, reducing penalties for possessing three quarters of an ounce or less of marijuana from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil violation punishable only by a fine. A fourth offense within three years would be

2210-574: The Illinois Legislature, making Illinois the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana. MPP lobbied for nearly 10 years in Springfield to bring about this state legislative victory. As many as 60 retail establishments will be licensed to sell medical marijuana to patients with cancer, AIDS, and other serious illnesses. In July 2016, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed a bill to reduce the penalty for up to 10 grams of marijuana from

2275-461: The Month. March 2012 saw many long-term directors stepping down and first-time directors coming in. A women's group was formed that intends to inform the Massachusetts public of benefits for women's issues such as premenstrual stress. Co-founder attorney Steve Epstein has departed. Bill Downing is among long-term directors remaining on board. Various sub-chapters of MC have been formed over the years,

2340-581: The Rhode Island Legislature overwhelmingly overrode Gov. Donald Carcieri 's veto of MPP's bill to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest, making Rhode Island the 11th medical marijuana state. This was the first state medical marijuana law to be enacted over the veto of a governor. In June 2009, the Rhode Island Legislature again overwhelmingly overrode Gov. Carcieri's veto of MPP's bill to create "compassion centers" to provide medical marijuana to qualified patients, making Rhode Island

2405-534: The State of Ohio lives up to the promises contained in HB 523, while also working to better the program using the ballot initiative proposal as a roadmap for these improvements. Pennsylvania On April 17, 2016. Gov. Tom Wolf signed legislation making Pennsylvania the 24th medical marijuana state. Patients and their families led the effort for years, and MPP played a major supporting role beginning in mid-2015, bringing on

2470-601: The Summer Solstice 2024 and co-hosted by Patti Astor . The event has a Facebook page and GoFundMe. In 2014 Hager created Abakus Media in Denver , published the ebook Cannabis Cures Cancer? , and founded the religious organization the Pot Illuminati. His essay "The New Pot Enlightenment" was included in the 2016 book Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer's Guide to an Ancient Plant Spirit Ally . During

2535-646: The Vermont Legislature passed a limited legalization bill, which will make it legal for adults to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana. Gov. Phil Scott (R) said he will sign the bill into law. MPP's staff and lobbyists led advocacy efforts for medical marijuana, decriminalization, and legalization in Vermont for more than 15 years. Nine states voted on ballot measures to roll back marijuana prohibition on November 8, 2016. The Marijuana Policy Project supported initiative campaigns to regulate and tax marijuana like alcohol in Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada and

2600-465: The chapter "Nomenclature of an Octopus Cabal" theorizes that a network of secret societies manufactures war for profit and social control. By 2005, Hager was rehired at High Times , first as the creative director , and then in 2006, back in the position of editor-in-chief, but by 2009 had returned to the role of creative director. He was again let go by the magazine in 2013, eventually suing High Times for defrauding him of his ownership shares in

2665-477: The company. Hager learned to shoot and edit video, and started documenting all research on videotape. He has produced several feature documentaries, including Let Freedom Ring , Secrets of the Dutch Grow Masters , The Cannabis Cup , Saint Stephen , The Tom Forcade Story , and The 20th Cannabis Cup , assembling one of the world's largest archives of cannabis-related video. In 2002 he directed

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2730-443: The conclusion of MPP's intensive, three-year lobbying campaign, Vermont became the ninth state to enact a medical marijuana law—and only the second state (after Hawaii) to do so through its legislature, rather than through a ballot initiative. In May 2011, the Vermont Legislature approved S. 17, which added four non-profit marijuana dispensaries to the existing law. MPP played an instrumental role in passing this legislation, by funding

2795-660: The following year he attended the first Woodstock festival. He obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater (Playwriting), and a Masters of Science in Journalism , both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign . After graduation, Hager moved to New York City , and worked for a number of magazines before becoming a reporter for the New York Daily News . During this time, he began researching

2860-456: The largest vote to end marijuana prohibition in any state). In November 2012, MPP backed Issue 5, a medical marijuana initiative in Arkansas, which narrowly failed, receiving 48.5% of the vote. In November 2016, Proposition 205—a ballot initiative campaign backed by MPP—did not successfully pass a ballot initiative to legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana for adult use. In November 2010,

2925-501: The loss of 200 members in just one year, and that vendors and partners were dropping out of events because they felt disrespected by Flynn. Flynn felt the allegations were not sufficient for him to resign, and refused to step down. The board (minus Samson at the request of the members) voted on a series of questions from the bylaws which governed if they were able to forcibly remove Flynn. The board ultimately failed to remove Flynn involuntarily; however, they were successfully able to call for

2990-697: The magazine, and instead concentrating on advocating for the personal cultivation of cannabis . Hager became the first editor to publish and promote the work of hemp activist Jack Herer . Under Hager's leadership, High Times created the Cannabis Cup , a cannabis awards ceremony held every Thanksgiving in Amsterdam ; and The High Times Freedom Fighters, the first hemp legalization group. The High Times Freedom Fighters were famous for dressing up in Colonial outfits and organizing hemp rallies across

3055-570: The market of legal cannabis will reach US$ 57 billion in 2030. 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 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. On January 25, 1995,

3120-467: The medicine to patients. Possession limits and regulations governing cultivation and marijuana dispensary facilities will be determined by a state-sanctioned commission prior to implementation. Also in April 2014, Gov. Martin O'Malley signs legislation making Maryland the 18th state to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. The legislation makes possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana

3185-609: The most notable of which is the University of Massachusetts Amherst Cannabis Reform Coalition (UMassCRC). Their annual spring Extravaganja rally on Amherst Common has grown in popularity over the years. In the 1990s MC worked closely with the ACLU -Massachusetts Drug Policy Task Force and the Massachusetts Coalition for Medical Cannabis or MC on legislative issues including: In 1999 MassCann activists formed

3250-676: The much-quoted Basquiat interview, was reprinted in Hager's 2002 book Adventures in the Counterculture , as well as his 2005 book The Octopus Conspiracy and Other Vignettes of the Counterculture: From Hippies to High Times to Hip-Hop and Beyond .) In 1988, Hager began a long relationship with High Times magazine, as he was hired as the magazine's editor-in-chief. He is most well-known for removing positive coverage of hard drugs (e.g., cocaine and heroin ) from

3315-433: The possession and sale of marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol , envisions a nation where marijuana education is honest and realistic, and believes treatment for problem marijuana users should be non-coercive and geared toward reducing harm. The organization and its various ballot initiatives has largely been funded by the late billionaire Peter B. Lewis , and now by his family. Marijuana Policy Project estimated that

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3380-464: The removal of the so-called "Barr Amendment" from the D.C. appropriations bill. MPP led the fight to end Congressional interference, which, for over 10 years, blocked the District of Columbia from implementing a medical marijuana initiative that passed with nearly 70% of the vote in 1998. MPP even retained the amendment's namesake, former Georgia Representative Bob Barr , to lobby for the amendment's removal after he reversed his position in 2007. Following

3445-639: The second largest annual gathering demanding marijuana law reform in the United States , after the Seattle Hempfest . MC has successfully sued the City of Boston for permits for the Freedom Rally three times. Other MC events include: MC has virtually no overhead costs, with neither personnel nor offices. Every action of MassCann is done by volunteers. The MassCann board of directors and officers were honored as High Times Freedom Fighters of

3510-449: The second state (after New Mexico) to license and regulate medical marijuana dispensing. In June 2012, the Rhode Island Legislature passed and Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed twin bills to decriminalize the simple possession of marijuana. MPP led the three-year lobbying and grassroots effort for the bills, which reduce the penalty for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana to a $ 150 civil fine for most offenses. Vermont In May 2004, at

3575-408: The senator or representative held sway over and stood in opposition to medicinal cannabis or decriminalization legislation. The questions, when approved, told the legislator to introduce and support medicinal cannabis or decriminalization legislation. The legislators were free to disobey these directives from their constituencies (as they are non-binding), but by doing so would demonstrate disrespect for

3640-586: The subject and some of the characters' names, to produce the film Beat Street , released by Orion Pictures in 1984. In 1984, St. Martin's Press released Hager's groundbreaking book, Hip Hop: The Illustrated History of Break Dancing, Rap Music, and Graffiti . Hager followed that book in 1986 with Art After Midnight , an examination of the New York nightclub scene and its influence on artists, primarily Jean-Michel Basquiat , Keith Haring and Kenny Scharf . (The entire text of Art After Midnight , including

3705-527: The three activists incorporated the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) as a not-for-profit organization in the District of Columbia . Kampia served as MPP's executive director until December 2017. 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. In December 2021, Hawkins stepped down and Toi Hutchinson

3770-646: The video shoot that was later released as Live in Amsterdam . In 2004, he wrote most of the narration for a/k/a Tommy Chong , and also appears in the film. Hager appeared in Episode #12 ("Pittsburgh") of the Showtime series Weeds , playing himself at an event modeled on the Cannabis Cup. In 2007, he produced a reality television show based around his job at High Times magazine. Hager appears in

3835-470: The wishes of the voters. Eventually public policy questions were run in 41 districts. Some were run by former MassCann board members who formed the Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts (DPFMA). Every one of the 41 public policy questions run up until now has passed with an average of 63% of the voters in support (almost 2 to 1). The results from these public policy questions caught the attention of

3900-534: Was a direct response to an initiative MPP funded and sought to qualify for the November 2016 ballot. Although the legislation isn't as strong as the constitutional amendment MPP promoted, it shares many of the same critical principles, most especially by ensuring seriously ill patients will no longer be treated like criminals and will have reasonable access to medicine. In conjunction with Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, MPP plans to continue advocacy efforts to ensure that

3965-491: Was a silent, Sunday, sunset meditation for peace in the war on drugs . During this period, Hager was contacted by the Waldos, the inventors of 420, and became the first person to interview them. Hager was fired as High Times editor-in-chief in 2003. His 2004 book, The Octopus Conspiracy and Other Vignettes of the Counterculture: From Hippies to High Times to Hip-Hop and Beyond , compiles some of his previously published work;

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4030-829: Was appointed president and CEO. MPP has grown to over 40,000 dues-paying members and is the largest marijuana policy reform group in the United States. The organization has approximately 35 staffers and an annual budget of about $ 5 million. MPP, like many advocacy groups, is divided into two legal entities: a lobbying group and a public education group. The education branch may accept tax-deductible donations but cannot attempt to influence politics. The lobby group, however, may use its funds to directly influence politicians. MPP reports that all funding comes from individual contributions of more than 40,000 members, which are from every U.S. state, Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and other countries. Delaware In June 2015,

4095-742: Was born on May 25, 1951, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois , the son of Lowell P. Hager and Frances Faye Erea Hager. While a student in junior high, he established his first publication, the Cap'n Crunch Courier , a humor xerox zine that was given away free. Two years later, while a student at Urbana High School , he created The Tin Whistle , a monthly newspaper that was eventually distributed in four high schools in Central Illinois . Hager briefly visited Haight-Ashbury in 1968, and

4160-615: Was likely murdered because of his growing opposition to the Vietnam War , and implicated J. Edgar Hoover and Allen Dulles in the cover-up. Judge Jim Garrison cited it as "the best magazine article ever written on the subject." Hager created the Counterculture Hall of Fame in 1997 as part of the Cannabis Cup ceremonies. In the mid-1990s, Hager turned the membership list of the Freedom Fighters over to

4225-506: Was part of a coalition of groups that coordinated a ballot initiative campaign in California. MPP also provided assistance to initiative campaigns to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas, Florida, and North Dakota. Montana voted on a measure to improve its existing medical marijuana law. All ballot measures were passed by voters except Arizona's Proposition 205. In November 2014, the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol in Alaska,

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