MPP is looking to connect with local activists in the target states, which include Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. MPP-funded groups would work to see marijuana legalized and regulated in a fashion similar to alcohol. A recent request for proposals asks applicants to devise "escalating tactics that would lead to a change in state law in three to five years via the state Legislature or the statewide ballot initiative process."

"It's about providing funding and providing organization," said MPP spokesperson Krissy Oechslin.  "We'd like to bring it off the street and regulate it."

Barnett Lotstein, a special assistant in the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, sees the new campaign as an escalation of the recent campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Arizona. "The objective was, once you get people to think of drugs as medicine, the next step is legalization," he said. "The ultimate goal of people who propose the legalization of marijuana is the legalization of all drugs."

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by duarte... yuma AZ on 29 Sep 08 02:56 AM EDT

the government should be making money off marijuana by taxing it instead of ruining peoples lives by putting them in jails annd prisons. if you want to punish dealers what better way than to make it legal and tax it!! 420...

Posted by RMC on 02 Oct 09 09:50 AM EDT

We've waited a long time for this. Lets face it the U.S. has huge amounts of debt instead of spending our hard earned tax money on the failing enforcments of the DEA why not legalize it and tax it? Marijuana has many medicinal properties. If you actually research it you'll see it really is an amazing HERB. 420...

Posted by stay in your own backyard.... on 19 Oct 09 11:44 AM EDT

what an amazing cash crop we have in our own beautiful country! this country could wipe out quite a few debts by making money on marijuana...hemp is used all the time! get the pink elephant out of the living room and use the entire plant.. maybe, by gaining strength, and the countries trust again, America can start to put their people back to work again.everyone benefits..industries such as agriculture, science, factories can all benefit from such an natural and plentiful crop. in addition, people who want to smoke will pay for the luxury.. we smoke it now whether you like it or not..government...wake up...to your sensibilities, here's something you can totally control AND get the "ya-hoo's" from people who think this government stinks.. grow a set of (you know what's ) and make money and take the lead again.. G-d Bless American

Posted by RodrickPM on 22 Oct 09 06:37 PM EDT

Legalize it regulate it and tax it.... I am a non violent offender on probation of my use of marijuana to help with my manic depression and chronic back pain.We need to wake up and finally pull the sheeps skin off our eyes AMERICA!!!!! think about this.... 35% of Americans are incarcerated and 18% of them for marijuana..... Land of the free?

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