Lori Ajax, Chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation, will speak at the morning session

It’s time to get registered for the biggest medical cannabis lobby day in California! ASA will host our 5^th annual California Citizen Lobby Day in Sacramento on Monday, May 23. This is your chance to join 300 other patients and advocates to talk face-to-face with lawmakers and regulators about medical cannabis in California.

Click here to register for the California Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, May 23, and ASA will make an appointment for you at your State Assembly and Senate offices.

We are excited to announce some very special guest speakers from the new Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation this year. Chief Lori Ajax and Senior Policy Advisor An-Chi Tsou will be at our morning briefing to talk about the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA) and what comes next for commercial medical cannabis regulation in the state.

There is a lot on the table for patients, advocates, and industry in Sacramento this year:

• ASA is promoting a bill for 2017 to protect medical cannabis patients from discrimination in employment, parental rights, housing, and access to health care.
• Two bills on the table this year will impose severe taxation on medical cannabis consumption and cultivation… on top of existing sales tax and local taxes!
• Other bills make changes in the way that commercial medical cannabis businesses and organizations are licensed and regulated.

Research shows that an in-person visit from a constituent like you is six times more likely to influence an undecided lawmaker than a visit from a paid lobbyist. That means you have a lot of power to shape the future of medical cannabis in California. Don’t miss this chance to make a real difference.

Register for the California Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, May 23, today.

We will serve a continental breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on L Street, right across the street from the State Capitol Building. You will be a part of a special legislative briefing and citizen lobbyist training that morning. We will also be giving you lobby day materials for your visits that afternoon, which include a space for your personal comments about bills and regulations.

The suggested donation for the lobby day is $40, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. I hope you will plan to stick around for a VIP Reception with lawmakers and other citizen lobbyists after your meetings in the Capitol.

Check out the event website and get registered today. That way we can get started scheduling your appointments this week. I recommend you also make your travel and lodging arrangements early. There are some suggestions on the website for everyone’s budget.

Thanks for helping shape the future of medical cannabis in California. See you in Sacramento!