05.20.08 MPP's medical marijuana benefit at the Highline Ballroom raises awareness about the need for medical marijuana access in New York State.
MPP's medical marijuana benefit at the Highline Ballroom on May 14, 2008 was attended by approximately 250 people of all ages, ranging from medical professionals, to MPP members, to patient advocates.
MPP would like to say a special thank-you to our special guests Montel Williams, Michelle Phillips, Kurt Loder, and John Stossel, musical entertainers Nicole Atkins & The Sea and Andrew VanWyngarden, honorees Senator Joseph L. Bruno and Joel Peacock, the event committee members, and the Highline Ballroom for making this such a special evening.
View video and photos from the party here.
08.24.07 MPP Advisory Board member, filmmaker, and libertarian political activist Aaron Russo dies at 64.
Aaron Russo was a dedicated libertarian political activist and outspoken critic of the war on marijuana users. In January 2004, Russo announced he was seeking the Libertarian Party's nomination to run for president. On his campaign Web site, Russo said, “As your president, I'll immediately appoint a special pardons commission to expedite the release of every non-violent marijuana offender in America's prison systems … I'll direct the Justice Department to cease and desist from its unjustifiable raids on medical marijuana
facilities in states which have legalized the medical use of marijuana.”
Aaron Russo died of cancer in Los Angeles, California on August 24, 2007, at age 64.
05.15.07 MPP's Party at the Playboy Mansion was a Huge Success!
More than 500 MPP supporters attended MPP's second party at the
Playboy Mansion on May 14, 2007, raising more than $150,000 for
MPP's work to reform marijuana laws.
MPP Executive Director Rob Kampia presented the Public Face of
Reform Award to comedian and MPP advisory board member Bill Maher.
NBC’s “Fear Factor” host Joe Rogan was the emcee.
Blues Traveler performed atop the famed grotto, and DJ Pooh played
music that kept the crowd dancing all night!
Entertainment world VIPs in attendance included TV and radio personality
Adam Carolla; VH1's "My Fair Brady" stars Adrianne Curry
and Christopher Knight; actors Grant Show, Christopher "Kid" Reid,
Cedric Yarbrough, and Jeff Dowd; "Miami Ink" tattoo artist
Kat Von D; musicians Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland from The Crystal
Method, DJ Native Wayne Jobson, Ray Benson, and the Asleep at the
Wheel band; and cartoonist Aaron McGruder.
To view pictures from the party, click
here.
11.20.06 Robert Altman, longtime marijuana policy reform advocate,
dies at 81
Film director Robert Altman, known for the legendary films "M*A*S*H"
and "Nashville," passed away from cancer on November 20. He was a
longtime supporter of marijuana policy reform and spoke openly about
his marijuana use.
11.16.06 Nobel Prize-winning economist and lifetime MPP member Milton
Friedman dies at 94
Milton Friedman was one of America's strongest voices for sane,
sensible marijuana policies. A lifetime dues-paying member of MPP,
Friedman was one of 550 economists to endorse the landmark MPP-commissioned report by Harvard's Jeffrey R. Miron, "The Budgetary
Implications of Marijuana Prohibition," which estimated ending
prohibition would save taxpayers $7.7 billion a year while generating
$6.2 billion in tax revenue, and to call for a system in which
marijuana is regulated and taxed similarly to alcoholic beverages.
6.12.06 MPP Makes Splash in Manhattan with Gala at Capitale
Nearly 300 MPP supporters attended MPP's awards gala in New York City
on June 12, 2006. The event featured entertainment by national
touring act Medeski Martin & Wood, Jackie "the Jokeman" Martling, and
radio personality Jim Hightower, among others, and was featured in
the New York Post, New York Daily News, and many other
media outlets. See photos here.
3.30.06 Playboy Mansion Event is MPP's Most Successful Fundraiser
to Date
More than 700 MPP supporters attended MPP's party at the Playboy Mansion,
raising more than $170,000 for MPP's work to reform marijuana
laws. For party details and photos, click here.
8.15.05: Adam Carolla Joins MPP's Advisory Board
Comedian Adam Carolla has joined MPP's advisory board. Earlier,
he devoted nearly an entire episode of his Comedy Central show, "Too
Late with Adam Carolla," to talking with "Weeds" star
Kevin Nealon about the absurdities of the war on marijuana.
6.27.05: MPP Launches First Radio PSA Campaign Featuring
Medical Marijuana Patients
In the first-ever campaign of its kind, MPP launched a series
of radio public service announcements featuring medical marijuana
patients discussing their need for safe and legal access to marijuana.
The 30- and 60-second spots feature television talk show host Montel
Williams, Supreme Court plaintiff Angel Raich,
and best-selling novelist Tom Robbins. Click here to
learn more about this effort.
5.9.05: MPP Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Star-Studded
Galas in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles
Montel Williams, Tommy Chong, U.S. Rep. Sam Farr, cast members
of Showtime's "Reefer Madness," Ray Benson, Rick Overton,
Tom Rhodes, and many others joined MPP in celebrating a decade
of building success in the marijuana policy reform movement.
The sold-out events included awards, comedy, music, and more.
Click here and here for
highlights and photos from both events.
3.5.05: Ani DiFranco joins MPP's Advisory Board
Award-winning and fiercely independent singer and songwriter
Ani DiFranco has joined MPP's advisory board.
2.14.05: Montel Williams Speaks Out in Chicago Tribune
In a February 14 Chicago Tribune column, TV host Montel Williams
wrote passionately in favor of an Illinois medical marijuana bill.
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