Drug Policy Action
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
DRUG POLICY ACTION SEEKS TO REFORM FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL DRUG POLICIES. WE EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT DRUG LAWS AND INVOLVE THEM IN OUR EFFORTS TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON THESE ISSUES ADVANCE THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
- Income
- $8.6 million
- Spending
- $6.9 million
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 5
- Highest pay
- $323,198, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $6.7 million spent. GENERAL ADVOCACY:DRUG POLICY ACTION WORKS TO END THE WAR ON DRUGS AND BUILD A BETTER APPROACH IN ITS PLACE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE AND BALLOT MEASURE ADVOCACY. WE HAVE THREE MAJOR GOALS:1. TREAT DRUG USE AS A HEALTH ISSUE BY REFORMING POLICIES AND LAW TO INCREASE ACCESS TO ADDICTION SERVICES AND REDUCE THE ROLE OF THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM2. PROMOTE FAMILY SAFETY AND ECONOMIC SECURITY BY REFORMING POLICIES AND LAWS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HOUSING, PUBLIC BENEFITS, AND EDUCATION
- $96,000 spent. LOBBYING ACTIVITIES:IN CONNECTION WITH OUR PURPOSE OF PROMOTING SOCIAL WELFARE THROUGH INFLUENCING POLICY AND LEGISLATION, DRUG POLICY ACTION LOBBIES FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEGISLATIVE OFFICIALS AND THEIR STAFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO PERSUADE THEM TO SPONSOR, PROMOTE, AND/OR SUPPORT POLICIES AND LEGISLATION THAT IMPROVE DRUG POLICIES AND LAWS.
- $4,000 spent. BALLOT INITIATIVES & LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS:DRUG POLICY ACTION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GROUND GAME TEXAS, ADVANCED AND SECURED PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION R, THE DALLAS FREEDOM ACT, WHICH DECRIMINALIZED MARIJUANA ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(4) social welfare organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending May 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.