"Politics in America is not a spectator sport. You have to get involved."
- Congressman Sam Farr
Let’s be honest: medical cannabis is not the most pressing issue in Washington, D.C., these days. While a majority of Congressional members are sympathetic to the needs of patients, the truth is, medical cannabis policy is complicated. Elected officials need your help understanding how to support patients and why this should be a priority for their office. In the truest sense of democracy, our elected officials represent their constituents, who have many needs. If you are not asking them to add medical cannabis to the list, there is no reason for them to advocate for you.
Today, there are many special interest groups and stakeholders talking to your representatives about what they want from cannabis policy, which may not be in the best interest of patients. If you aren’t bringing the patient voice to the table, lawmakers may assume patients are satisfied with the status quo—and nothing will change. Without hearing from you, there is no incentive for your members to learn about issues facing patients or find solutions to help.
Don’t worry, you do not have to be a policy expert to engage your representatives; in fact, as a medical cannabis stakeholder, you likely know more than they do! ASA has created a Legislative Toolkit with fact sheets, talking points, and presentations to help with your outreach efforts.
"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 found 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!
Find your reps using our simple web tool.
Get to know them. What issues do they care about? How have they voted on cannabis, veteran, patient, or healthcare policy? If they were just elected this session, they would really love to hear from you.
If you have an opportunity to speak with your representative, be concise and direct: describe how federal cannabis policies impact your life, why you are engaged in the issue, that recreational cannabis and medical cannabis are not the same, and the need for a national medical cannabis program. Use this guide for tips on talking to your representatives.
Write or call your representatives.
In-Person Meetings: Scheduling an in-person meeting with your representative or their staff allows for a direct, face-to-face exchange of ideas. It provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns in-depth and build a personal connection.
Engage with Staff Members: Congressional offices have dedicated staff members who handle various issues. Engage with these staffers regularly to alert them to issues that relate to patient needs.
Stay in Touch: Like any relationship, it is important that you make an effort to maintain a line of communication with them and their staff. Email or call occasionally to update them on the issues or share relevant information
Social Media: Engage with your representatives on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Publicly expressing your views through comments, tweets, or direct messages can draw attention to the issues you care about. Get their social media handles.
Use hashtags: #safeaccess4all #medicalcannabismatters #safeaccess
.@publicofficial please support patients, create a federal medical cannabis program # safeaccess4all
.@publicofficial recreational cannabis and medical cannabis are not the same #safeaccess4all
replace @publicofficial with their official’s Twitter handle, #DearSenator or #DearHouseRep (respectively or) #DearCongress
A period (.) before an @mention ensures that all your followers see the tweet.
Town Hall Meetings: Attend town hall meetings hosted by your elected officials. These events provide a platform for constituents to ask questions and voice their opinions. Prepare your talking points and be ready to engage in a public forum.
Writing Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor: Submitting opinion pieces or letters to local newspapers can help raise awareness about your concerns and influence your elected officials.
Attending Public Events: Keep an eye out for public events, rallies, and speaking engagements featuring your elected officials. Attending such events can offer opportunities for direct interaction.
Use ASA's prewritten emails to get a letter off to your federal representatives quickly! You can find these in our Take Action section of ASA's website.
Remember that regardless of the method you choose, maintaining a respectful approach is crucial. Clearly state your viewpoint, provide evidence where necessary, and be open to constructive dialogue. Your engagement as a constituent can significantly impact the decisions and actions of your federal elected officials.
SUPPORT ASA
Campaigns like Safe Access 4 All are only possible thanks to the support of the Members of Americans for Safe Access, our generous sponsors and, of course, the donors who support our work with a contribution of any amount.
|
Share this page
