Marijuana Policy Project
Karen O'Keefe has extensive work experience in marijuana policy reform and advocacy. From 2003 to 2018, they worked at the Marijuana Policy Project, where they held various roles. Karen started as a Legislative Analyst and was responsible for lobbying campaigns and ballot initiative efforts in multiple states. Karen then became the Assistant Director and later the Director of State Policies, overseeing the state legislative and grassroots advocacy department. During their time at the organization, they played a significant role in drafting and enacting marijuana policy reforms, including the first two legalization laws passed through state legislatures. In 2018, Karen joined the City of West Hollywood as a Rent Stabilization Commissioner, serving in that role until 2021.
Karen O'Keefe completed their Bachelor's degree in Public Policy and International Studies at Michigan State University from 1996 to 2000. Karen then went on to pursue a Doctor of Law degree (JD) at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law from 2000 to 2003.
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Marijuana Policy Project
Marijuana Policy Project is a U.S-based organization focused solely on ending marijuana prohibition. Its aim is to change federal law to allow states to determine their own marijuana policies without federal interference, as well as to regulate marijuana like alcohol in all 50 states, D.C., and the five territories. Marijuana Policy Project hasbeen responsible for changing most of the state marijuana laws that have been reformed since 2000, including the legalization of marijuana in Colorado in November 2012 and in Alaska in 2014.The organization is composed of three separate organizations that include the main branch that deals with lobbying and ballot initiatives, the tax-deductible educational branch, and a branch that donates to congressional candidates. In addition, Marijuana Policy Project has state committees in the states where it is running ballot initiatives; these state committees are formed and closed every few years. For the three aforementioned core organizations, the annual budgets are usually 3,000,000 U.S. dollars, 2,000,000 U.S. dollars, and 100,000 U.S. dollars, respectively.Marijuana Policy Project typically has approximately 30 employees, two-thirds of whom are based in its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and this includes two full-time lobbyists on Capitol Hill. In addition, the organization usually has lobbyists on retainer in six or seven state capitals. It was founded in 2012.