What is the ASA Advocacy Academy?

The ASA Advocacy Academy is a day of workshops and presentations for new and seasoned advocates to learn about the national upcoming changes in the federal political landscape for cannabis, the opportunities/challenges they present, and how to engage in a national campaign to finally win federal rights. Participants will sharpen their advocacy skills, practice campaign messaging, and participate in strategy discussions and brainstorming sessions.

The goal of the event is to reinvigorate interest in passing federal medical cannabis legislation, channel frustration into action, empower individuals who feel like medical cannabis is being forgotten to use their voice, and to plug individuals into national campaigns to win rights for patients.

 

Workshops:

THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL CANNABIS: OVERVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN

With federal changes in cannabis policy likely to happen in the 118th Session of Congress, this session will discuss potential impacts for patients, both negative and positive, and explore leverage points where we can make a difference in outcomes. We will also dive into the aspects of federal medical cannabis legislation.

DEEP DIVE 2023 CAMPAIGNS

We will discuss campaign plans and activities for 2023. Participants will engage in workshops to incorporate these campaigns into their local advocacy.

REVAMPING STRATEGIES: CHALLENGES OF ORGANIZING WITHOUT A VISIBLE CRISIS OR ENEMY

In this session, we will discuss strategies to better define issues facing patients and explore activities to ensure they are at the forefront of the political process.

PUTTING PATIENTS BACK INTO POLICY

With cannabis policy sharing a focus with adult-use, medical patients are being pushed to the sidelines, or worse yet, completely forgotten from the conversation altogether. In this session, we will explore all the avenues available to advocates to impact the policies that affect their lives. Participants will receive training on citizen lobbying, strategic messaging, and utilizing media.

BACK TO BASICS-ORGANIZING 101

This training will include an overview of all the tools in our “advocacy tool kit” and explore ways to utilize them in our organizing efforts including re-engaging the media, coalition building, movement-building, education, and more.

 

Join us in Cleveland, Ohio!