The 2026 Cannabis Safety Awards and Cannabis Safety Month were made possible with the support of organizations committed to advancing cannabis safety, education, patient protections, and access to care. Our sponsors and partners help bring important cannabis safety issues into the public conversation, connect communities with credible information, and support the people and programs developing practical solutions.
Americans for Safe Access extends its appreciation to these organizations for their contributions and their continued commitment to stronger public health protections and meaningful patient access.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Founded in 2009 in Sacramento, California, A Therapeutic Alternative has built its approach to cannabis access around compassionate care, patient education, and community engagement. As a social purpose corporation, it emphasizes knowledgeable staff, a welcoming environment, and helping patients make informed decisions about cannabis products and their therapeutic use. Its educational efforts cover cannabinoid science, administration methods, dosing, and responsible cannabis practices.
A Therapeutic Alternative also operates a Giving Compassion Program that supports qualifying patients experiencing financial and medical hardship. Its commitment to accessibility, education, and patient-centered service demonstrates how responsible cannabis retailers can strengthen safety by making trustworthy information and compassionate support part of the patient experience.
Website: atherapeuticalternative.com
Founded in 2010, the American Cannabis Nurses Association is a national professional organization dedicated to advancing cannabis nursing through education, research, advocacy, and professional standards. ACNA played a central role in the American Nurses Association's formal recognition of cannabis nursing as a nursing specialty in 2023, an important milestone in integrating cannabis care into mainstream healthcare.
Through professional education, clinical resources, and the development of Cannabis Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, ACNA is helping establish a stronger foundation for evidence-informed cannabis care. Its contributions to Cannabis Safety Month reinforce the critical role nurses play in helping patients understand potential benefits, recognize risks, and make informed treatment decisions.
Website: cannabisnurses.org
AZUCA is an applied bioscience company developing infusion technology designed to improve the consistency and predictability of cannabinoid products. Its proprietary TiME INFUSION technology is used in edible and beverage formulations to support faster and more consistent onset of effects. By addressing some of the variability associated with traditional edible cannabis products, AZUCA is contributing to innovation in cannabinoid formulation and product development.
Understanding when a cannabis product may begin to take effect is an important part of responsible consumption, particularly because delayed effects can lead people to consume more than intended. AZUCA's work connects product innovation with the need for clearer dosing expectations, consumer education, and more predictable experiences. These are important considerations in advancing cannabis safety and informed product use.Website: azuca.co
Basic Jane is a science-driven cannabinoid wellness company founded by Kersten Gaba, RN, and Jessica Tonani, MS, combining clinical experience with biotechnology research to develop accessible, high-quality hemp-derived CBD products. As a consumer-focused company associated with Verda Bio, Basic Jane draws on research into cannabis genetics, cannabinoid science, and product formulation. Its product offerings include topical creams, sprays, gels, transdermal patches, and oral formulations designed with an emphasis on consistency, ingredient transparency, and practical use.
Basic Jane's commitment to cannabis safety extends beyond product development through its involvement in research, testing, and efforts to establish stronger product standards. Its founders have contributed to cannabis genetics research and participated in state-level discussions about cannabinoid safety and regulation. By connecting scientific research with responsible formulation, product testing, and consumer education, Basic Jane demonstrates how innovation and transparency can strengthen public confidence in cannabinoid products. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month reinforces the importance of applying scientific evidence and meaningful quality standards throughout the cannabis supply chain.
Website: basicjane.com
Budist is a cannabis product review platform designed to help consumers navigate the growing variety of cannabis products through shared experiences and expert assessments. Its 100-point rating system lets reviewers evaluate products across major cannabis categories, and its community includes certified Ganjiers, journalists, competition judges, and experienced cannabis consumers. Budist promotes informed product discovery by creating opportunities for people to learn from knowledgeable reviewers and one another.
As cannabis products become increasingly diverse, consumers need more than marketing claims to guide their choices. Budist's emphasis on product knowledge, transparent feedback, and thoughtful evaluation contributes to a more informed cannabis marketplace. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month highlights the importance of consumer education, critical thinking, and understanding differences among products. Website: budist.com
Founded in 1996, the Cannabis Buyers Club of Berkeley (CBCB) is one of California's longstanding medical cannabis access organizations. Established during the early years of the state's medical cannabis movement, CBCB began by helping seriously ill patients obtain cannabis and grew into a community-centered organization rooted in compassion, education, and advocacy. Its history is closely connected to the grassroots efforts that established medical cannabis access in California.
CBCB continues its tradition of compassionate care through patient assistance, community engagement, and support for individuals facing financial barriers. Its programs reflect the belief that safe access must include affordability, dignity, and meaningful assistance for those who depend on cannabis therapeutically. As a Cannabis Safety Month partner, CBCB represents the patient-centered origins of medical cannabis reform and the importance of preserving those values as cannabis policy and regulation continue to evolve. Website: cbcbberkeley.com
Cannabis Nurses Network is a professional community dedicated to empowering nurses through education, collaboration, recognition, and advocacy. Its programs provide learning opportunities focused on the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid therapeutics, clinical considerations, and holistic nursing approaches. The network also supports professional development and creates opportunities for nurses to share research, clinical experiences, and educational resources.
Nurses often serve as an essential connection between emerging medical research and the practical questions patients bring to healthcare settings. By strengthening professional knowledge and supporting nurses who work with cannabinoid therapies, Cannabis Nurses Network contributes to safer, more informed patient care. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month reinforces the importance of well-prepared healthcare professionals in advancing responsible cannabis therapeutics. Website: cannabisnursesnetwork.com
Cannabis Nurses of Color is a professional community committed to supporting nurses of color through education, leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and professional development. The organization provides a space for healthcare professionals to share knowledge while addressing barriers to representation and access within cannabis healthcare. Its work also recognizes the historical and ongoing effects of inequitable drug policies on communities of color.
CNOC brings an essential perspective to cannabis safety by connecting clinical education with health equity and culturally responsive care. Effective patient education must reach people across different communities and address the barriers that can prevent individuals from obtaining reliable information or appropriate treatment. Through its commitment to professional development and representation, CNOC helps strengthen a more inclusive approach to cannabis education and healthcare. Website: cnocnursinged.com
The Connor Sheffield Foundation grew from the experiences of pediatric medical cannabis patient Connor Sheffield and his family's efforts to protect access to his medicine. Connor's advocacy helped draw attention to policies that prevented qualifying pediatric patients from receiving medical cannabis at school, even when they could legally use it as part of their medical care. The foundation has also supported efforts to address medical cannabis access in healthcare facilities and advance research and education.
The foundation's work demonstrates how institutional policies can create obstacles for patients even when medical cannabis access is permitted under state law. By elevating the experiences of patients and families, the Connor Sheffield Foundation contributes to conversations about continuity of care, appropriate safeguards, and the need for policies that recognize the realities of pediatric and medically vulnerable patients. Website: connorsheffieldfoundation.com
Dockside Cannabis has served Washington State's medical cannabis community since 2011, providing access to cannabis products alongside patient education and medical consultations. Originally operating as Dockside Co-op in Seattle, the organization continued its medical cannabis mission as Washington transitioned to a regulated adult-use marketplace. Dockside maintains a focus on knowledgeable staff, compassionate service, and helping patients navigate the state's medical cannabis system.
Dockside's commitment to education extends beyond its retail locations through outreach to caregivers, senior communities, hospices, and healthcare organizations. Its history demonstrates how cannabis businesses can maintain a meaningful medical focus while operating within broader adult-use markets. During Cannabis Safety Month, Dockside represents the importance of patient education, responsible dispensing practices, and continued attention to medical cannabis needs. Website: docksidecannabis.com
Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2015, Farmer Freeman provides laboratory-based plant DNA testing to home cultivators and commercial growers. Its EZ-XY testing service uses molecular techniques to identify the sex of cannabis plants early in development, helping cultivators make informed decisions about plant selection and cultivation planning. By making genetic testing accessible to growers of different sizes, Farmer Freeman brings scientific tools into cultivation practices that have historically relied heavily on observation and experience.
Farmer Freeman also advocates for legal home cultivation and broader access to reliable testing technologies. Its work highlights the role that scientific information can play in more predictable, informed cultivation decisions. For Cannabis Safety Month, Farmer Freeman represents the value of education, accessible science, and responsible home cultivation as part of a broader conversation about cannabis quality and consumer empowerment. Website: farmerfreeman.com
The Georgia Medical Cannabis Society (GMCS) is a patient-centered nonprofit organization working to advance medical cannabis education, advocacy, and equitable access throughout Georgia. Guided by its principle of "Patients Over Profits," GMCS provides resources and community support for patients navigating Georgia's medical cannabis program, with particular attention to underserved populations. Its work includes public education, healthcare professional engagement, patient navigation, and advocacy for policies that better reflect patients' needs.
As an Americans for Safe Access affiliate, GMCS connects local patient experiences with broader efforts to improve cannabis policy and healthcare integration. Its educational initiatives help patients understand program requirements, available resources, and responsible medical cannabis use. Through Cannabis Safety Month, GMCS brings the perspective of patients and communities working to ensure that safety protections and access to care advance together. Website: georgiamcs.org
The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association works to advance Tribal sovereignty, equitable cannabis policies, and economic opportunities for Indigenous communities. Through education, policy advocacy, workforce development, and community engagement, ICIA supports Tribal Nations and Indigenous entrepreneurs in shaping cannabis programs that reflect their communities' priorities and rights. Its work connects Indigenous leadership with regulators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.
ICIA also promotes community education on responsible cannabis use and culturally grounded approaches to public health. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month brings important perspectives on how effective cannabis safety policies must account for Tribal sovereignty, community needs, and the lasting effects of prohibition. By elevating Indigenous leadership, ICIA helps ensure that national conversations about cannabis safety include communities whose experiences and expertise are too often overlooked. Website: indigenouscannabis.org
The International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists is a professional organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based cannabis education and clinical pharmacy practice. ISCPh provides continuing education, professional networking, research discussions, and resources designed to help pharmacists understand cannabinoid therapeutics. Its work addresses important gaps in conventional pharmacy education as medical cannabis becomes increasingly relevant to patient care.
Pharmacists bring essential expertise in medication management, potential drug interactions, dosing considerations, and patient counseling. ISCPh works to strengthen that expertise so pharmacists can better support patients and collaborate with other healthcare professionals. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month reinforces the importance of integrating medication safety principles and informed clinical guidance into medical cannabis care. Website: cannabispharmacist.org
Michigan for Safe Access is a state chapter of Americans for Safe Access dedicated to protecting medical cannabis patients' rights and advancing safe, legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use. Through advocacy and community engagement, the chapter helps connect Michigan patients with the national movement to improve medical cannabis policies and protections.
As medical cannabis programs evolve alongside adult-use markets and changing federal policies, patients need advocates who can keep their healthcare needs visible in regulatory decisions. Michigan for Safe Access brings that patient-centered perspective to Cannabis Safety Month, reinforcing the importance of public education, fair treatment, and policies that preserve meaningful medical access while addressing legitimate safety concerns. Website: safeaccessnow.org/asa_chapters_and_affiliates
Founded in 2013, Realm of Caring Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving quality of life through cannabinoid research, education, advocacy, and community support. The organization provides educational resources and individualized assistance to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and families seeking reliable information about cannabis and cannabinoid therapies. Realm of Caring also supports observational research and collaborations that contribute to a better understanding of real-world cannabinoid use.
By connecting scientific research with the questions and experiences of patients, Realm of Caring helps make complex information more accessible and useful. Its work supports informed decisions about cannabinoid products, treatment goals, and potential risks while helping researchers better understand patient experiences. Realm of Caring's participation in Cannabis Safety Month strengthens the connection between credible evidence, patient support, and compassionate care. Website: realmofcaring.org
The San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access advocates for medical cannabis patients and evidence-based cannabis policies in Southern California. As part of ASA's national network, the chapter brings local patient experiences and public health perspectives into policy discussions. Its advocacy has included engagement with local government and efforts to ensure that cannabis regulations are informed by research, community experience, and patient protections.
The San Diego Chapter's work reflects the importance of examining public health concerns without overlooking the consequences of policies that restrict medical cannabis access. Through public engagement and collaboration with national advocates, the chapter contributes to more informed conversations about cannabis safety, patient rights, and responsible regulation. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month helps connect national priorities with local community action. Website: safeaccesssd.com
Founded in 1999, the Society of Cannabis Clinicians is an international nonprofit professional association of physicians and other healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing medical cannabis education and research. The Society supports continuing education, the exchange of clinical evidence, and the development of best practices for cannabis consultations and patient care. Its work helps clinicians navigate a rapidly evolving body of scientific information and incorporate cannabinoid therapeutics into informed medical discussions.
The Society of Cannabis Clinicians also promotes policies that support research, product safety, and responsible medical cannabis use. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month underscores the importance of credible clinical information in helping patients evaluate potential benefits and risks. By connecting professional education with patient experience, the Society contributes to the standards and knowledge needed for safer, more effective cannabis healthcare. Website: cannabisclinicians.org
SPARC, originally the San Francisco Patient and Resource Center, has deep roots in California's medical cannabis movement. Emerging from patient collectives serving people with serious illnesses, SPARC developed a model centered on compassionate access, laboratory-tested products, patient education, and community engagement. Its work expanded into cultivation and regulated retail while maintaining a longstanding connection to medical cannabis patients and the communities that supported early access efforts.
SPARC has also emphasized cultivation standards, product quality, and sustainable practices, including biodynamic cultivation at its Sonoma County farm. Its history illustrates how patient advocacy helped shape many of the practices now associated with responsible cannabis commerce. Through Cannabis Safety Month, SPARC represents the continued importance of product quality, informed consumer choice, and preserving compassionate medical access within the regulated marketplace. Website: sparc.co
Tetragram is a patient-founded technology company developing tools to help individuals document and better understand their experiences with medical cannabis. Its free mobile application allows users to track products, cannabinoid information, dosing, methods of administration, symptoms, and perceived effects over time. By organizing this information in a personal journal, Tetragram helps patients identify patterns and better communicate their experiences with healthcare professionals.
Tetragram also supports real-world data collection and research that can improve understanding of how different cannabis products are used outside traditional clinical studies. Its work reflects the importance of patient-generated information in advancing individualized care, treatment monitoring, and future healthcare integration. Through Cannabis Safety Month, Tetragram demonstrates how technology can support better-informed dosing decisions, patient empowerment, and the development of evidence needed for medical cannabis policy and research. Website: tetragramapp.com
U.S. Pain Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, empowering, connecting, and advocating for people living with chronic pain and other painful medical conditions. Through patient education, advocacy initiatives, peer support, and community resources, the Foundation works to ensure that people with chronic pain have a voice in healthcare and public policy decisions. Its mission emphasizes improving quality of life and supporting individualized approaches to pain management.
People living with chronic pain often face complex treatment decisions and barriers to accessing appropriate care. U.S. Pain Foundation brings the patient perspective into discussions about treatment options, healthcare rights, and the importance of informed decision-making. Its participation in Cannabis Safety Month helps ensure that conversations about cannabis benefits, risks, and regulation recognize the experiences of patients who may consider cannabinoids as one component of their care. Website: uspainfoundation.org
Veterans Initiative 22 (VI22) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans, service members, first responders, and their families through education, advocacy, community connections, and improved access to medical cannabis and emerging therapies. Named in recognition of the historically cited estimate of 22 veterans lost to suicide each day, VI22 works to address barriers to care while supporting mental health, wellness, and quality of life. Its initiatives include medical cannabis certification assistance, educational resources, and partnerships that improve affordability.
VI22 also engages in state and federal policy discussions to ensure veterans' experiences are represented in decisions about medical cannabis and alternative therapies. Its work emphasizes that safe access requires more than legal permission. Patients also need reliable information, appropriate professional support, affordable options, and policies that respect their circumstances. VI22 brings these priorities into Cannabis Safety Month's broader discussion of patient safety, healthcare access, and public health. Website: veteransinitiative22.com
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