May 06, 2020
In the News: MRMR Helps Cannabis Bill Become Reality
From the article: "We’ve been working with Majority Leader Winkler and his team for nearly a year now to advance conversations in and out of the Capitol,” [Fatehi] said. “Today’s introduction of a comprehensive, equity-focused cannabis legalization bill is a big step for Minnesota and all Minnesotans who know we can responsibly legalize and regulate.”
February 18, 2020
In the News: Coverage from MRMR Lobby Day
“We’re well aware of the challenges that exist in the GOP-controlled Senate. We anticipate that the bill will get caught there. But you know this is an election year, and we think Minnesotans are paying close attention to this issue and anticipate this will be the last year that a bill gets caught up,” said Leili Fatehi, the campaign manager for Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulations.
February 03, 2019
In the News: MRMR Interview in Marijuana Times
'Laura told us that MRMR wants “marijuana legalization in Minnesota to promote economic opportunity and public safety in every community and to redress the disproportionate adverse impacts that marijuana prohibition has had on our residents and communities of color. That’s going to require tough work engaging with many stakeholder groups, but that’s precisely the work we established MRMR to do.”'
January 15, 2019
In the News: MRMR Interview in High Times
'So just who are the Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation? Essentially, anyone and everyone with an interest in ending prohibition. MRMR leaders include Leili Fatehi and Laura Monn Ginsburg from the public affairs firm Apparatus and Jason Tarasek, the Political Director of Minnesota’s Marijuana Policy Project. Additionally, steering committee members include former state lawmakers (both Republican and Democrat), business owners, ACLU attorneys, justice reform advocates, civil society groups, indigenous community leaders, and even the mayor of Minneapolis: Jacob Frey.'
January 15, 2019
In the News: Minnesotans for Responsible Marijuana Regulation Launches
'There are plenty of logistical reasons Minnesota legislators have given for why the state is, at the very least, “not ready” for legalization. That’s where MRMR, which draws its leadership from government and nonprofit sectors (Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey numbers among them), comes in.'
March 23, 2018
In the News: Leili's Run for House Part of a Wave of Female Candidates
Fatehi is also one of three women of color running for the seat in the district, and if she were to win in November, Fatehi would be the first Iranian American woman elected to any office. “If we want to wait our turn we will be waiting forever,” Fatehi said.
June 05, 2017
Press Release: Apparatus and Transit for Livable Communities Launch “Here to There” Podcast Series
Apparatus, a Minneapolis-based policy and public affairs practice, in partnership with Studio Americana and Transit for Livable Communities, Minnesota’s largest transportation advocacy non-profit, today announced the debut of Here to There, a 10-episode podcast series offering a glimpse into the public and private dimensions of commuting in and around the Twin Cities. More information about Here to There, including additional resources, photos, and full episodes is available at heretotherepodcast.org.
Our Projects
In Fall 2017, we led campaign communications for Jacob Frey in his (successful!) run for Minneapolis mayor. From strategic message-setting to website overhaul to policy formation and talking points, we were excited to fully jump in and help our next mayor get elected!
Our 10-episode podcast digs into big topics that affect all our lives through the lens of commuting and transportation. Come along for a commute with a Twin Cities resident and then join us in the studio for in-depth discussion of the policies, technology, and systems that affect our transportation opportunities and challenges.