Dear Friend,

Marijuana policy reform in the U.S. has undergone incredible changes over the last 29 years. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. Since then, many states have decriminalized or legalized cannabis for both medical and adult use.  

While these policies have produced many positive outcomes, they have also brought new challenges. As the marijuana landscape continues to change, people’s real concerns around public health, consumer safety, and justice become more important than ever. 

In response, the Drug Policy Alliance organized a series of focus groups with various experts to understand current issues in the world of marijuana policy. And we are excited to share their findings in a new report: State-Level Marijuana Reform: Lessons Learned and Ongoing Challenges. 

The focus groups highlighted different areas of successes and challenges for marijuana policy.  Among other things, they found that effective marijuana policies must:

• Protect Public Health & Safety: Provide education for those using and purchasing marijuana. Limit marketing to vulnerable groups. Discourage driving while intoxicated. And reduce use of marijuana with other drugs to reduce harm.  

• Advance Justice & Equity: Focus on releasing incarcerated individuals for marijuana offenses. Justice in marijuana policy requires breaking the cycle of criminalization – not rebranding it.   

• Strengthen Oversight & Access: Support small businesses by creating defined paths to licensing. Stop illegal sellers - without repeating drug war tactics. And ensure policies are research-driven and centered in community accountability.  

​​​​​​DPA thanks all focus group experts for sharing their insights on lessons learned from marijuana reform. Their thoughts on key achievements and ongoing challenges will continue to provide important guidance. And we hope you’ll read their full report to learn more. 

At the Drug Policy Alliance, we remain committed to legalizing marijuana right. This includes talking with experts like the ones in this focus group. And it includes working towards marijuana policy reforms that benefit people’s wellbeing, not corporate profit.