Celebrities

[Jimbo]

A few MPP Advisory Board members ...

Jack Black
actor, musician

Bill Maher
Television Host, "Real Time With Bill Maher"

Joycelyn Elders, M.D.
former U.S. Surgeon General

Jesse Ventura
former governor of Minnesota

Adam Carolla
Television and radio host

To join our efforts, please contact Mika Jones, MPP's director of VIP relations.



Welcome

The Marijuana Policy Project, the largest and fastest-growing marijuana policy reform organization in the United States, is working with actors, musicians, producers, directors, professional athletes, former and current public officials, and other VIPs to educate the American people about the need to take marijuana out of the criminal market and regulate it.

Recent News

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.
02.29.08 MPP is hosting a benefit at the Highline Ballroom in New York City on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 to benefit seriously ill New Yorkers who need safe access to medical marijuana.
The event will feature special appearances by medical marijuana advocate Montel Williams and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Michelle Phillips and a performance by singer-songwriter Nicole Akins. The event will also honor medical marijuana patient Joel Peacock.
For information about the event and to purchase tickets, click here.
02.22.08 MPP is hosting its third annual party at the world-renowned Playboy Mansion!.
Last year’s party was a huge success, and this year’s party will prove to be an even more unforgettable evening. The party will include hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live music and special guest appearances, all while raising funds for the Marijuana Policy Project. Be sure to check this page in the coming weeks for updates on this year's celebrity RSVPs.
Buy your tickets today and be a part of the best party in the marijuana policy reform movement! For more information on the Playboy Party and to purchase tickets to the reception, click 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.
07.25.07 MPP is assisting Massachusetts' Committee for Sensible Marijuana Policy (CSMP) in placing a marijuana decriminalization initiative on the November 2008 statewide ballot. The initiative would make possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by adults a citation with a $100 fine.
CSMP will be hosting a reception at the home of Woody Kaplan, a major supporter of marijuana policy reform, on September 14 in Boston, featuring world-renowned author Tom Robbins and MPP Executive Director Rob Kampia. Host committee members include Ron Ansin, Rick Doblin, Justin Nadeau, and Ted Pietras.
You can find information about CSMP and purchase tickets to the reception here.
07.14.07 MPP Announces ticket sales for a benefit concert with Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel!
MPP is excited to announce ticket sales for The Austin Freedom Fest, a benefit concert to support MPP and NORML.
Legendary singer Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel will be performing some of their hit singles. Special guests include Paula Nelson, Carolyn Wonderland, Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, and Mark Stepnoski.
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. 04.16.07 MPP's First-Ever Fundraising Event in Florida
A major MPP supporter has graciously opened his beautiful home to raise much-needed funds for MPP to pursue its ambitious agenda in 2007. A number of celebrities from the entertainment world have already confirmed their attendance, and Irv Rosenfeld, one of the five medical marijuana patients who receives marijuana from the federal government, will auction off one of his famous canisters that was formerly packed full of pre-rolled marijuana cigarettes (but is now empty and clean).
The party is on Saturday, April 28 and will feature comedy, music, a barbecue, and open bar. Get more information and purchase tickets.
4.11.07 Bill Maher to accept MPP's Public Face of Reform Award
Bill Maher, star of HBO's "Real Time with Bill Maher," will receive MPP's Public Face of Reform Award at MPP's upcoming Party at the Playboy Mansion. The evening will also include an auction featuring a dinner and poker lesson with the reigning World Series of Poker Champion, Jamie Gold, and several pieces of original artwork, including a John Lennon lithograph.
Get more information and purchase tickets.
12.07.06 MPP is Launching Ticket Sales for its Second Party at the Playboy Mansion
The party will be hosted by Joe Rogan, from NBC's "Fear Factor" and Comedy Central's "The Man Show," and will feature rapper, producer, and film director DJ Pooh, who often collaborates with Ice Cube and has also worked with LL Cool J, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg. The party begins at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2007.
For more information and to purchase tickets, 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.
1.17.06 Musical Guests Announced for Party at Playboy Mansion
MPP is throwing a party at the world renowned Playboy Mansion, and today the musical performers were announced: Mike Simpson (Dust Bros.) and Tom Green will perform together, and also joining the festivities will be Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel). Both Simpson and Benson are Grammy-winning artists, and Ray wowed MPP supporters at our hugely successful Los Angeles gala in May of 2005. The party begins at 8 p.m. on March 30, 2006.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
10.12.05: Judge James Gray speaks out in Canada's National Post
In an October 12, 2005 op-ed, Judge James Gray -- of MPP's advisory board -- wrote an op-ed calling for an end to drug prohibition.
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 listen. 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 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

Marijuana Policy Project