Chicago based Cards Against Humanity announced a $70,000 donation to help legalize marijuana in their home state of Illinois in a recent press release.
Co-Creator Max Temkin said, “For us, this is a common-sense issue of racial justice, health justice, and criminal justice. State and national politics are incredibly screwed up right now, but it gives us hope to think that we can make progress”
Cards Against Humanity is a humor, party, Card Game much like Apples to Apples but aimed towards a mature audience. Players match black fill-in-the-blank cards to white answer cards and take turns judging which responses are their favorites. The game cards mix pop culture with taboo subjects ranging from substance use, sexuality, and violence leading to dark and awkward combinations.
The funding from this donation has come from their cannabis-themed expansion pack, selling for $5. The proceeds are set to be donated to the Marijuana Policy Project until the adult-use of marijuana is legalized in the state of Illinois.
Jo Feldman, Head Writer at Cards Against Humanity wrote in their press release, “The MPP has been at the forefront of Changing marijuana laws for the better, in Illinois and nationwide.” MPP has been behind five successful campaigns for legalizing the adult use of cannabis in different states. In Illinois specifically, they have spent nearly a decade and over $1 million on a medical marijuana law which passed in 2013.
Since the law went into effect in January 2014, medical marijuana patients with one of over 30 medical conditions can apply for an ID and with a prescription from a medical caregiver can be safely treated with cannabis. The new funding from Cards Against Humanity will go towards continuing the lobbying process enabling another major policy change to occur.
A poll that was run by the Southern Illinois University found a majority to be in favor of decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. The Simon Poll™, conducted in March consisted of 1,000 random registered voters in Illinois. Nearly three-quarters of respondents (74%) were in favor, or strongly in favor of decriminalization. Two-thirds of voters (66%) support or strongly support legalization of cannabis if it were to be taxed and regulated like alcohol in other states. A significant portion of those voters, 45% also strongly supported legalization.
In March, the Coalition for a Safer Illinois launched in support of new legislation proposing to end the prohibition of cannabis. The coalition includes MPP, Clergy for a New Drug Policy, Doctors for Cannabis Regulation, and Illinois NORML.
The bills would legalize the possession, purchase, and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis for those under license. They also create health, marketing, and labeling requirements. The two bills, SB 316 and HB 2353 are sponsored by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) respectively.
Eight other states have already passed legislation enacting legalization and taxing of cannabis use for adults. Doing so undermines the risky underground market with regulated business, and decriminalizes cannabis use allowing law enforcement to focus on more serious crime and liberating many from the threat of incarceration.
If legalized, the state would receive a vast, untapped revenue source. DC area based policy think tank, RAND Corporation found that states who are first to legalize cannabis in a region are likely to earn more tax revenue, possibly considerably more with an influx of tourists. The MPP estimates in their financial analysis for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois that Illinois could receive between $349 and $699 million in total tax revenue a year when the system is fully up and running.
The repercussions of this donation are vast. Expansions packs or charitable donations are not new for this party game. They have also released a “90’s Nostalgia Pack”, a “Geek Pack”, and a “Fantasy Pack.” Some of these expansion packs also doubled as fundraisers. To date, Cards Against Humanity has donated about $4 million to different charities. As of August 31st, 2018*, they have raised over $100,000 for MPP.
*current numbers can be found on the cards against humanity webshop
https://store.cardsagainsthumanity.com/
