Caren Woodson, Director of Government Affairs

email: caren@safeaccessnow.org
phone: 202-857-4272

For more than 7 years, Caren Woodson has worked on medical cannabis issues. During that time she has advised decision makers at all levels of government about how to implement and regulate medical cannabis laws.  

In her capacity as Director of Government Affairs for ASA, Caren played an integral role in the drafting of  San Francisco’s ordinance that permits and regulates medical cannabis distribution centers, she has organized defeat of federal legislation that put in jeopardy state medical cannabis laws, and she has created a coalition of medical, scientific, and patient-advocacy organizations to advocate safe access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research to better meet the immediate needs of patients, medical professionals, and researchers.  

Caren has also improved ASA’s public education and outreach campaigns. She has made dozens of presentations at various health and medical conferences including the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), AIDS Watch, and many others. In fact, her presentation and exhibition booth at the American Public Health Association 134th Annual Meeting and Exposition received a third place prize for “Best New Exhibit”.

Caren holds a Masters in Public Policy from The American University in Washington, DC and received her in B.A in Political Science from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas. While completing her education, she acquired political work any way she could – volunteering on state and local campaign races, interning with the Nevada Democratic Caucus and Coordinated Campaigns, serving as a Nevada State Elections Board Officer during the 1998 and 2000 elections, and working briefly in Washington, DC for the National 4-H Council.

Caren resides in the Washington, DC-Metro area with her fiancé, Tony, and her dog, Boots.