Citizen Lobbying

Technology has impacted the way members of Congress represent their constituents. Today, constituents have more ways to express their viewpoints to elected officials than ever before. This includes letters, phone calls, email, Facebook, town halls, public forums, Twitter, campaign events, and visits to the member's office, for example."

You possess the most effective tool to influence change: your vote. As a constituent, you have the power to hold each representative accountable for the issues that affect you. However, change can only happen if the people elected to make our laws understand the issue, how to address it, and that it is important to those who put them in office. That means they are depending on you to communicate this to them. As a medical cannabis advocate, it is essential that you understand your power and how to use it!

Communicating with Congress: Perceptions of Citizen Advocacy on Capitol Hill, by the Congressional Management Foundation, provides valuable insight into how crucial grassroots advocacy is to manifesting change. This survey of congressional staffers reported that members of Congress are more likely to be swayed on an issue by concerned citizens who visit, write, or call their offices than by the efforts of paid lobbyists. As it turns out, citizens have more power than they realize!

This study also explored the type of advocacy that staffers believe is most effective. It turns out that content matters more than medium. Expressly, staffers indicated that hand-written or personalized notes - even when they are fewer in number - have a more significant impact than form letters and emails crafted by influence groups. The point is, your lawmakers want to hear from Y-O-U! They want to know how the growing divide between state and federal medical cannabis laws is affecting you and your family. They want to know what legislation would help their constituents and why. They want to understand why changing federal law is important to you!

Medical cannabis advocates are not the only people talking with legislators about medical cannabis law and policy. Elected officials are hearing from medical cannabis opponents, Chambers of Commerce, and special interest groups who may oppose the use of cannabis even for medical purposes or who have interests that do not benefit patients.

Important questions to consider:

Without hearing from you, how will your legislator know what is important to you?

Do you trust special interest groups to be the lone perspective guiding policymakers about access to medical cannabis?

Remember, you are the patient, the physician, the caregiver, the provider, the lawyer, the nurse, or family member affected by medical cannabis laws and policy. You are the voter with the power to hold elected officials accountable for their positions on policy matters. You are the expert on how these laws and policies affect your daily life.

If you are not talking with your elected officials about medical cannabis, ask yourself, "Who is?"

Today, very few policymakers are 100% opposed to medical cannabis. Many, however, don’t understand what patients need from policy or think that the FDA will take care of access if cannabis has medical value. Like you, elected officials are not easily swayed on issues; they rarely change their opinions overnight.

This can be a gradual process, but your chances of affecting change will be greater if your elected officials know you and trust that the information you are providing is accurate, fair, and balanced. Changing your elected official's stance on medical cannabis requires patience and persistence.

Just as you didn't learn everything about medical cannabis in a day, it may take several visits to shift their position. The goal of grassroots lobbying is to build a relationship over time, gradually moving an elected official along a range of positions.

1. Champions: All issues need a group of lawmakers dedicated to being tireless, committed advocates for your cause. What they can do for you is make the case to their colleagues, help develop a strong "inside" strategy, and be visible public spokespeople. What they need is good information and visible support outside the Capitol.

2. Allies: Another group of legislators will be on your side but can be pushed to do more, such as speak up in party caucuses or on the floor.

3. Fence-sitters: Some legislators will be uncommitted to the issues and potentially vote either way. These are your key targets, and your lobbying strategy is about putting together the right mix of "inside" persuasion and "outside" pressure to sway them your way.

4. Mellow Opponents: A group of legislators will likely vote against your cause but are not actively involved. The key here is to maintain this status quo, lobbying them enough to give them pause but not enough to provoke them.

5. Hard Core Opponents: Finally, there will be lawmakers who are leading the opposition against your cause. The crucial strategy here is to isolate them, to bring to light the extremes of their positions, rhetoric, and alliances, and to make other lawmakers think twice before aligning with them.

ACCURATE: Your elected official is meeting with you because you are their constituent, but you can become their go-to source for information on medical cannabis. It is extremely important to convey accurate information, avoid exaggerating, and be honest if you don’t know something. Your personal story and connection to the issue are the most important things to convey in this meeting. Anything you can’t answer in the meeting is an opportunity to keep the conversation going after the meeting.

BRIEF. In most cases, you will have limited time to make your pitch. Keep it short and simple! You can start the meeting with a few questions to gauge their familiarity with the issue you are there to discuss and get a sense of their support level. Be ready with 2 or 3 main points and adapt them accordingly. Don’t overwhelm them with too much information or let the meeting time pass without making your points and finding out where they stand on your ask! Remember, you can always send them additional resources after the meeting for more complicated issues preventing their support.

COURTEOUS. Whether you agree or disagree with your legislator, maintaining a respectful demeanor is essential. As an advocate, you aim to create a safe space for your legislator to ask questions and confidently form an opinion. It's crucial that you go out of your way to be a positive resource for your legislator. Be punctual and patient. Refrain from arguing or raising your voice. Please don't be rude and allow them space to evolve.

DO FOLLOW-UP. Be proactive and responsive. Follow up on your meeting with a thank-you letter that outlines the various topics covered, reiterates any commitments your legislator made, and includes any additional information or materials requested during the meeting.

TIMING IS CRITICAL When the legislation you're advocating for is on the move, timing is of the essence. Swift action, such as reaching out to your legislator by phone or email, is crucial. If time permits, consider more influential methods like writing a letter, attending city or county council meetings, or requesting a meeting with your elected official. Keep an eye on their schedules. Early engagement is key to maximizing your impact.

DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP. Effective advocacy is built on strong, ongoing relationships. Regular communication with elected officials and their staff is vital to advancing your cause. Don’t just reach out when you need something—regularly share updates on cannabis developments and breaking news, providing your perspective. When appropriate, pass along information from other offices and connect them with experts in the field. Establishing a personal connection with the people working on your issue ensures you have reliable contact when it’s time for action. Cultivate a network that ensures your voice is heard when it matters most.

STATE YOUR POSITION & ASK FOR ACTION! Legislators often act on behalf of their constituents. Consistent communication can still be impactful even if your representative doesn’t support your position. Be clear about your concerns and always ask for a specific action. Your persistence helps keep the issue on their radar.

KNOW THE ISSUE. Legislators deal with numerous issues, so your communication needs to be concise and well-informed. Provide clear, accurate, and research-backed information. Be prepared to answer questions about your position and ask for your legislator’s stance. Understanding where they stand helps guide your advocacy strategy.

LISTEN & SHARE INFORMATION. Listening to your legislator’s feedback is as important as sharing your message. Ask clarifying questions to grasp their position fully. Share any insights you gain with fellow advocates, your community, and organizations like ASA. This information helps shape future talking points and strategies, ensuring your advocacy stays responsive and effective.

OUTLINE YOUR CONCERNS. When advocating as a group, it’s important to present a unified message. Before your meeting, outline two or three key talking points, along with supporting evidence. Time will be limited, so your arguments must be clear and concise. A well-organized outline will help keep you—and your group—focused and on track during the discussion.

BE POLITICAL. Your legislator’s priority is representing the best interests of their district. Keep your message concise and focused. Start the meeting by clearly stating the action you’re asking them to take. Whenever possible, highlight how your request aligns with the needs and interests of their constituents. Ask questions to clarify the legislator’s stance, and be ready to answer any questions they may have about your position.

LEAVE YOUR CONTACT INFO. Always leave your personal contact information with your legislator or their staff. At a minimum, provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of everyone attending the meeting. This ensures your legislator can follow up with you directly, keeping the lines of communication open.

Ask to speak to the right person. Generally, a staff member, not the lawmaker, will take your telephone calls. It is important that you ask to speak with the aide who handles your issue. Make your position clear and state the action you think your member should take. Feel free to ask questions and share information about your issue; however, be concise and considerate.