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Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is committed to supporting the efforts of California advocates and industry in adopting local ordinances to license commercial medical cannabis activity. This is an important part of ensuring an adequate commercial infrastructure to serve the needs of legal patients. ASA’s Local Access Project is designed provide stakeholders with resources they need to launch effective campaigns to adopt new ordinances, pass voter initiatives, and repeal bans on medical cannabis activity.
The Local Access Project includes:
- A memo for local lawmakers about licensing and bans
- A model ordinance to license local cultivation
- Detailed information about the MMRSA
- Tips on making a campaign plan and raising money
- Training for citizen advocates
- Research, reports, and more
The California Legislature adopted three bills, known collectively as the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA), to license and regulate commercial medical cannabis activity in 2015. When fully implemented, the bills will license and regulate the lawful cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, transportation, sales, and testing of medical cannabis in the state.
The MMRSA requires that applicants for a state medical cannabis license also obtain a license, permit, or authorization from the city or county in which they operate or propose to operate. Some cities and counties already license commercial medical cannabis organizations. However, a majority of local jurisdictions have no licensing rules or bans on dispensing facilities, cultivation of medical cannabis, or both. Furthermore, no local licensing schemes specifically address licensing for manufacturing cannabis products, wholesale distributors, commercial transporters, or laboratory testers at this time.
Check the links to the right or below for information about the history of medical cannabis regulations in California, details about the MMRSA, advice on writing a campaign plan to adopt a local ordinance or voter initiative, fundraising tips, and free resources to support organizers.
Check back for updates soon. You may also contact ASA California Director Don Duncan at [email protected] or (916) 449-3975 for additional information.
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