Comedy Icons Cheech & Chong to Highlight Marijuana Policy Project’s 15th Anniversary Gala

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                 

JANUARY 5, 2010

Comedy Icons Cheech & Chong to Highlight Marijuana Policy Project’s 15^th Anniversary Gala

Celebrity guests and politicians will help celebrate MPP’s remarkable passage of improved marijuana laws in ‘15 states in 15 years’

CONTACT: Mike Meno, MPP assistant director of communications …… 202-905-2030 or [email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Marijuana Policy Project’s 15^th anniversary gala will be held Wednesday, January 13^th in Washington, D.C.  The event will celebrate past achievements and announce the organization’s new national strategy, including a congressional bill to end marijuana prohibition on the federal level.  This year’s gala features guest speakers such as former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), actor Hal Sparks, and legendary comedians Cheech & Chong.

         “2009 was the best year for marijuana policy reform in U.S. history, and the future has never looked brighter,” said Rob Kampia, MPP’s executive director and co-founder. “Perhaps 2010 will be the year our politicians finally get on board with the rest of America and once and for all end our country’s failed marijuana policies.” 

         When MPP was founded in 1995, medical marijuana was illegal in all 50 states.  Since then, 13 states have passed medical marijuana laws, with Michigan becoming the 13th state in November 2008.  By the end of 2010, MPP is hopeful that medical marijuana will be legal in 15 states (with passage in New York and New Jersey) and the District of Columbia. MPP also remains hopeful that the number of states with decriminalization laws will jump from 13 to 15 in 2010 (with Rhode Island and Vermont becoming the 14th and 15th states).  

         WHAT: The Marijuana Policy Project’s 15th Anniversary Gala

         WHEN: January 13, 2010. Reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m.

         WHERE: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 20001

         Tickets cost $250 each, or $2,000 for a table. 

         With more than 29,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers nationwide, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. MPP believes that the best way to minimize the harm associated with marijuana is to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol. For more information, please visit www.mpp.org.

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