California Campaign for Safe Access

The mission of the California Campaign for Safe Access is to monitor, implement, and improve medical cannabis law in California through protection and expansion of patients’ rights, using education, litigation, legislation, grassroots advocacy and direct support.

Protect Dispensing Collectives and Cooperatives
Download useful information to educate your city council and board of supervisors on the importance of dispensing collectives and cooperatives to safe access to medical cannabis.
California ID Card Campaign
Senate Bill 420 established a statewide medical marijuana ID card program for the state Department of Health Services and all of the County Departments of Public Health to administer. The legislation mandated that the state implement the program, but it is designed to be voluntary for patients and caregivers. ASA is working to establish an ID card program that both protects patients and is implemented fairly and expeditiously.
Return of Property Campaign
A three-month study by ASA found local and state law enforcement is routinely seizing the marijuana to which California patients are legally entitled – and not giving it back. In reponse, ASA organized a mass court action by patients demanding their medicine back in 36 counties on Tuesday, August 17, 2004 and is currently helping dozens of patients fight to recover their confiscated property.
CHP Lawsuit Campaign
The CHP is by far the worst violator of the Compassionate Use Act and SB 420 with its policy of mandatory confiscation of medicine. With our lawsuit, ASA changed that policy to one that discourages CHP officers from confiscating medicine from patients and caregivers, and provides officers with instructions on how to verify valid medical marijuana documentation.
Medical Marijuana Sales Tax
In October 2005, the California Board of Equalization (BoE) voted to tax the sales of medical marijuana. ASA has been opposed to the sales tax from the beginning and is now working with the BoE and California legislature to ensure the tax does not harm safe access in the state.

Peer Counseling and Dispensary Services
ASA's Peer Counseling Program is an education, outreach and training program specifically for medical cannabis patients and their caregivers.
SJR 14: Harmonizing Federal Law with California Medical Marijuana Laws
June 9th, 2009
This Senate Joint Resolution urges the federal government to end medical marijuana raids in California and to create a comprehensive federal medical marijuana policy that ensures safe and legal access for any patient that would benefit from it.
Attorney General Guidelines Signal Victory for California Campaign
Publication of the CA Attorney General's guidelines for medical cannabis patients, providers, and police is the successful culmination of three years of ASA's strategic work and signals a turning point for medical cannabis patients in the state.
  • AG Guidelines
  • What the Guidelines Mean for Collectives and Cooperatives

    • What the AG Guidelines Mean for Collectives and Cooperatives
    The guidelines published by Attorney General Jerry Brown signal a turning point in the effort to implement California's medical cannabis laws and are the culmination of years of persistent and strategic work by Americans for Safe Access (ASA). With these guidelines, California's highest ranking law enforcement official joins state voters, law makers, and courts in affirming the legality of medical cannabis - regardless of what federal law says.

    Americans for Safe Access • 510.251.1856 or toll-free 888.929.4367 • info@safeaccessnow.org • site map
    Oakland • Los Angeles • Washington DC