Marijuana Policy Project taps Libertarian candidate for board

MPP, a Washington-based marijuana reform policy group, has appointed Libertarian presidential candidate and film producer Aaron Russo to its advisory board.

(PRWEB) May 16, 2004 -- Aaron Russo, candidate for the Libertarian Party's 2004 presidential nomination, has been appointed to the Marijuana Policy Project's advisory board.

"MPP is a fine organization that is actively fighting for your freedoms, and I am proud to be a member of its advisory board," says Russo, whose past work on behalf of decriminalization of marijuana and industrial hemp, as well as his advocacy for patients who benefit from the medical use of marijuana, brought him to the group's attention.

The Marijuana Policy Project works to minimize the harm associated with marijuana -- both the consumption of marijuana, and the laws that are intended to prohibit such use. The organization focuses on removing criminal penalties associated with marijuana use, and on making marijuana available to patients who benefit from its use.

Russo joins a number of well-known Americans -- including former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders, former governors Jesse Ventura and Gary Johnson and fellow entertainment industry figures Michele Philips and Bill Maher -- on the board.

"Unlike many people in Hollywood, Aaron Russo correctly views the actions of the federal government as highly relevant to all Americans' lives," says MPP executive director Rob Kampia. "Aaron has a deep understanding of all the major political issues of the day, and he is well-positioned to build bridges between the Hollywood community, the Libertarian Party, and the federal government."

"Aaron Russo may be the best kept secret in American politics," says medical marijuana activist and former California LP gubernatorial candidate Steve Kubby, who endorsed Russo last month, "but I believe he is capable of having a profound impact on the upcoming presidential elections."

Also on board the Russo campaign as a policy advisor is medical marijuana activist Loretta Nall, founder of the US Marijuana Party, who serves in a similar role on Democratic dark horse Dennis Kucinich's campaign.

Russo has been recognized by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws as one of three presidential candidates (the other two are Libertarian Gary Nolan and Democrat Dennis Kucinich) who strongly advocate decriminalization of marijuana and industrial hemp, easing restrictions on medical marijuana and ending government discrimination against those previously convicted of marijuana-related offenses.
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Web references

MPP Board:
http://www.mpp-vip.org/current/

NORML 2004 Presidential Candidate Report Card:
http://www.norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5895

Vote Hemp 2004 Presidential Report Card
http://www.votehemp.com/voterguide.html