MPO founded
Patient education, public outreach and advocacy begin during the early expansion of state medical cannabis programs.
About Marijuana Patients Organization
Independent patient education and advocacy for people who use medical cannabis.
Advocating for Patients Since 2011
For more than a decade, the Marijuana Patients Organization (MPO) has been dedicated to educating, informing, and advocating for individuals who rely on medical cannabis to improve their quality of life.
Founded in 2011, MPO was created during a pivotal time in the evolution of medical cannabis laws across the United States. As more states began recognizing cannabis as a legitimate treatment option for qualifying medical conditions, patients were often left navigating a confusing landscape of changing laws, inconsistent regulations, and limited educational resources.
From the beginning, our mission has been simple:
To ensure every medical cannabis patient has access to accurate information, trusted resources, and a strong voice advocating for fair treatment.
Today, we continue that mission by helping patients understand their rights, locate licensed providers, follow changing regulations, and stay informed about developments affecting medical cannabis at both the state and federal levels.
Our Mission
The Marijuana Patients Organization exists to:
- Educate patients about medical cannabis laws and regulations
- Advocate for the rights of medical cannabis patients nationwide
- Promote safe, legal, and informed patient access
- Connect patients with licensed dispensaries and healthcare professionals
- Publish research and educational resources
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and IRS developments
- Encourage policies that recognize medical cannabis as legitimate medicine
Our Vision
We envision a future where patients using physician-authorized medical cannabis receive the same respect, protections, and financial treatment afforded to patients using any other medically directed therapy.
Our long-term goal is a healthcare system that recognizes medical cannabis as medicine and ensures patients can make treatment decisions without unnecessary legal, financial, or social barriers.
What We Advocate For
MPO believes patients should have access to safe, regulated medical cannabis when recommended or authorized under state law by a qualified healthcare professional.
We also advocate for:
- Greater patient education
- Continued medical research
- Evidence-based public policy
- Expanded patient protections
- Improved access for veterans and individuals with chronic illnesses
- Fair employment and housing protections where permitted by law
- Responsible regulation that prioritizes patient safety
HSA and Tax Advocacy
One of MPO’s primary advocacy initiatives focuses on the financial burden faced by medical cannabis patients.
Many patients spend hundreds or thousands of dollars each year on physician-authorized medical cannabis and related products while receiving little or no federal tax relief.
MPO supports federal legislation and regulatory changes that would allow qualified medical cannabis expenses—including physician-authorized cannabis, medically necessary products, and appropriate accessories—to receive treatment comparable to other legitimate medical expenses under applicable federal law.
This reflects MPO’s public-policy position and should not be interpreted as a statement of current federal law.
Education First
Our website is designed to provide practical, patient-focused information covering topics such as:
- Medical cannabis laws by state
- Patient rights
- Licensed dispensary directories
- Physician resources
- HSA and FSA guidance
- Tax developments
- Federal and state legislation
- Research summaries
- Downloadable patient resources
- Frequently asked questions
We believe informed patients make better healthcare decisions.
Independent and Patient Focused
The Marijuana Patients Organization is an independent patient education and advocacy resource.
Our primary responsibility is to patients—not cannabis companies, political organizations, or government agencies.
Our goal is to present balanced, practical information that helps patients better understand their options and navigate an evolving regulatory environment.
Our Commitment
Every article, guide, and resource published by MPO is created with one purpose:
To help medical cannabis patients make informed decisions with confidence.
We will continue advocating for policies that improve patient access, expand education, support scientific research, and encourage fair treatment for individuals using medical cannabis under the supervision or authorization of qualified healthcare professionals.
Because to millions of patients across America:
Marijuana is Medicine.
Questions about About Marijuana Patients Organization
What types of patient resources are available here?
The library brings together state guides, HSA and FSA information, dispensary resources, downloadable materials, patient-rights content and practical educational articles.
How do I find resources for my state?
Open the State Patient Guides area and select your state to view local program information, directory listings and related patient guidance.
How can I suggest a resource for MPO to add?
Use the Contact MPO page and choose the patient-resource suggestion topic, then provide the resource name, URL and why it may help patients.
Our history
From early Michigan outreach to a national patient resource.
Since 2011, Marijuana Patients Organization has advocated for medical marijuana and the rights of patients. In the early years of modern medical cannabis reform, MPO participated in expos, educational events and community outreach to help patients understand new laws and find reliable information.
The cannabis landscape has changed, but our commitment has not. We continue to educate, inform and fight for fair treatment because marijuana is medicine for millions of patients.
Patients deserve accurate information, respectful treatment and a meaningful voice in the policies that affect their care.
A continuing commitment to patients.
Community education
MPO continues helping patients and caregivers navigate changing laws, access rules and public policy.
Online resources expand
Patient information becomes easier to access as MPO's digital education and outreach efforts grow.
National patient resource
MPO develops state guides, a dispensary directory, patient resources and HSA/FSA policy advocacy.
Independent and patient focused.
MPO is an independent patient education and advocacy resource. We do not provide medical, legal or tax advice. Patients should consult qualified professionals about their individual circumstances.