Tag: stacia
Farewell from Stacia
Today is my last day working for Students for Sensible Drug Policy after being hired right out of college 11 years ago. It’s hard for me to put into words how much this organization means to me, but I’m going to give it a shot. Even on the most difficult days (of which there were many), I still woke up
10 years ago today, I was arrested for marijuana possession
I was 18 years old, and it was the night before classes began for my second semester as a freshman at the University of Maryland. I was smoking a joint alone in my dorm room to relax before I went to bed when I heard a knock at the door. Without a peephole to see who it was, nor the
Big news! Save the date for SSDP2016: April 15-17
Mark your calendar! The next Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference, SSDP2016, will take place Friday April 15 – Sunday April 17, 2016 at the Holiday Inn Rosslyn, just minutes from Washington, DC. UNGASS Actions New York, NY April 19-21 SSDP is working with our global allies to advocate for a sensible approach to drug policy at the United Nations
24 signs you’re an SSDPer
Today is the last day of our spring SSDP Alumni Association membership drive! Each day this week we’ve featured blog posts from our alumni, be sure to check them out. Being a part of Students for Sensible Drug Policy is a truly unique, life-changing experience. So, last week I asked a few of our alumni to help me come up
Spring Alumni Association Membership Drive
As the spring semester draws to a close, many students will be graduating and moving on from school to the next chapter of their lives. Being a part of an SSDP chapter is a defining part of many students’ college experiences, I know it certainly was for me! The recently launched SSDP Alumni Association aims to provide a framework for
SSDP2014 conference session sneak peek
Today we are proud to announce some of the topics that will be covered at next month’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference and Lobby Day! From the role of privilege and the war on drugs, to keeping festival and concert-goers safe, to how to get a job in the emerging legal cannabis industry, speakers will share their expertise and experiences on
Get your limited edition One Hitters shirt today
The One Hitters is a co-ed, DC-based recreational softball team in the Congressional Softball League. Sponsored by Mountain Medicine, the team comprises players who work for or support marijuana and other drug policy reform through organizations such as Students for Sensible Drug Policy, the Marijuana Policy Project, and Americans for Safe Access, among others. Founded around 2002, the One Hitters has
Pay for your SSDP2014 registration in monthly installments
Even though we do everything we can to keep costs down for the 2014 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Conference and Lobby Day, we realize that $60 for students and $90 for alumni is still a lot of money for most young people. This year we’re able to provide the option to pay for your SSDP2014 registration in monthly installments over
SSDP is hiring!
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is now accepting applications to fill three paid and two unpaid positions in our Washington, DC headquarters. Applications will be accepted beginning April 4, reviewed immediately, and accepted until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is on or before June 1, 2014 Regional Outreach Coordinators (2) – More information about these positions and the application process
Top 13 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Highlights of 2013
Wow, what a year! We’re proud to share with you our top 13 highlights of 2013. 1. Launched our most ambitious fundraising campaign ever A few weeks ago, SSDP launched a crowdfunding campaign through Indiegogo with an ambitious goal of raising $100,000 by January 7. We’ve raised over $65,000 so far, but we need your help to make it over
2013 Annual Report
We’re so excited to release our 2013 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Report! (If you have trouble viewing the PDF, please try the Issuu document viewer below.) This 20 page document outlines SSDP’s accomplishments, online presence, media clips, student testimonials, events, financial information, and more about our activities from July 2012 – July 2013. To receive a hard copy of
My SSDP chapter plans from 2007
As many of you know, I have been a member of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy national staff for the past four years, currently serving as Deputy Director. But my involvement with SSDP started much before that (I went to my first UMD SSDP chapter meeting in August 2005) while I was an undergrad at the University of Maryland.
Announcing SSDP's organizational objectives for 2013-2014
Each year, the Students for Sensible Drug Policy board, staff, and select students and alumni come together for an in-person “Strategy Summit.” Last weekend we discussed the activities and direction of the organization and came to conclusions on our plan for the upcoming year. This plan is finalized as our 2013-2014 SSDP Organizational Objectives, and we’re proud to share this
7 ways to stay involved after graduation
It’s about that time of year when lots of students are wrapping up their college years, but that certainly doesn’t mean an end to their time as an advocate for drug policy reform. The SSDP alumni network is a vast and robust network of former student drug policy activists who work in a great variety of different industries with advice
Announcing SSDP's Federal Marijuana Lobby Day
Our movement faces a critically limited window of time between now and this summer, when the U.S. House of Representatives may vote on an amendment that would seek to curtail DEA enforcement activities in states with legal marijuana markets. Join SSDP for a day of lobbying training, then head to Capitol Hill to make your voice heard. Sunday June 16
After 6 years, University of Maryland finally approves Good Samaritan policy for all drugs
Yesterday, I returned to the University of Maryland, my alma mater, to attend a University Senate (the governing body comprised of 90% faculty and staff, and 10% students) meeting where members voted 81-2-1 in favor of an important life-saving overdose prevention policy. The Diamondback reports: After proposing a measure nearly six years ago that would protect dangerously drunk students or
3 Drug Policy Activism Boot Camps this spring
These events serve to unite the SSDP chapter network for a day of training, workshops, discussion, networking, and expert presentations aimed to help us refine our skills as advocates for ending the destructive war on drugs. Interactive sessions and workshops will be led by Aaron Houston, Stacia Cosner, Drew Stromberg, and Devon Tackels of the SSDP national staff. The staff will guide participants through activities
Top 12 SSDP highlights of 2012
1. Making history in Colorado and Washington. Election Day this year marked the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition as Colorado (55%-45% on Amendment 64) and Washington (56%-44% on Initiative 502) voters said yes to legalizing marijuana! Through our online phonebanking tool, SSDPers from across the country made 17,882 calls to Colorado voters under the age of 30 to help turn out
Happy Repeal Day!
Seventy-nine years ago today, alcohol prohibition ended. At midnight tonight, personal protections for marijuana use and possession go into effect in Washington. This is the beginning of the end of marijuana prohibition, and it’s because of all of us. Thank you for being part of this moment in history. Are you a member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy? Join
Help say thanks to SSDPs donors
The spirit of Thanksgiving this week got us thinking about what Students for Sensible Drug Policy is thankful for. As the largest grassroots drug policy organization in the world, we draw our power from our amazing network of people — students, alumni, educators, non-students, and all other kinds of supporters of sensible drug policy. SSDP is incredibly thankful for all
Election day drug policy results
As you know, this election day was an exciting one for drug policy reform. There is a lot we are proud to report, so it’s taken us a few days to get this message to you. It’s been a crazy week (as you might imagine), and we wanted to take the time to get this important announcement right. Last Tuesday
Announcing our 2012-2013 organizational objectives
Today, we’re proud to publish Students for Sensible Drug Policy’s organizational objectives for the coming year. This document was produced by members of SSDP’s staff and board of directors, and outlines our priorities, goals, and metrics for success for the organization from September 2012-September 2013. MOVEMENT BUILDING Expanding our reach. Our chapter network will expand from 189 to 220 in the
Are You Registered to Vote?
Today is National Voter Registration Day, and Students for Sensible Drug Policy is partnering with hundreds of other organizations to register more people in a single day than ever before. Our Rock The Vote registration tool makes it easier than ever, so register today! Not sure if you’re registered? Re-registering never hurts. Never registered before? What better time than now? Moved recently? Register again
Our Annual Report
We’re so excited to release the 2012 Students for Sensible Drug Policy Annual Report! (If you have trouble viewing the PDF, please try the Issuu document viewer below.) This 20 page document outlines SSDP’s accomplishments, online presence, media clips, student testimonials, events, financial information, and more about our activities from June 2011-June 2012. To receive a hard copy of SSDP’s
Organize a "die-in" at your school this Friday on International Overdose Awareness Day
Demonstrations on college campuses can be a powerful way to draw attention to an issue. This Friday, August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day, and we think it’s an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in a direct action during the first weeks of school. We’ve put together some resources to help you make this happen. 1) Choose a
