Sacramento, CA – Hundreds of patients, advocates, care providers, industry workers, and other stakeholders from around the State are convening in Sacramento on Monday to meet with their elected officials and urge them to protect patients' rights, defeat taxation measures, and support beneficial changes to the new Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MMRSA).

Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the nation’s largest medical cannabis patients’ advocacy organization, is hosting its fifth annual legislative briefing and California Citizen Lobby Day to ensure that patients' voices are at the forefront as state policymakers debate several medical cannabis bills before the state legislature:

• SB 987 (McGuire) - Adds a 15% excise tax on all medical cannabis sales in CA.

• SB 1116 (McGuire) - Authorizes cities and counties to impose additional taxes patients who grow and use their own medicine.

• AB 2740 (Low) - Makes it a crime to drive with any amount of cannabis detectable in your blood, even if you are not impaired.

• AB 1575 (Bonta) - Adds new license types and makes other beneficial changes to the new Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act.

• And more

Chief Lori Ajax and Senior Policy Advisor An-Chi Tsou from the new Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation (BMMR) will be the special guest speakers at the annual California Citizen Lobby.  California’s new Medical Marijuana Safety and Regulation Act (MMRSA) charges the BMMR with overseeing state licensing and regulation of commercial medical cannabis activity.  Monday morning will be dedicated to educational workshops led by Don Duncan, ASA California Director, and Steph Sherer, ASA Executive Director. The day's activities will culminate with citizen lobbying visits with legislators and staff in the afternoon.

“The California Citizen lobby Day is one of the most important events ASA hosts each year” said ASA California Director Don Duncan. “This is a chance for our members to talk in-person with the people who make decisions that affect their lives. We have seen numerous times that this kind of grassroots action works. Patients and other stakeholder get better outcomes when they have a voice.”  

ASA lobby days have helped to pass, defeat, and improve medical cannabis bills each year since 2012. Participants at the last ASA citizen lobby day persuaded lawmakers to introduce and pass the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act (AB 258) – a piece of legislation that is already saving lives in California.  

What: California Citizen Lobby Day

When: Monday, May 23rd - Educational workshops 9-11am / Keynote address 11am / Legislative lobbying visits 1-5pm / Reception with legislators 7pm

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Regency Ballroom,1209 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814

*Media is invited to attend the lobby day at no charge; participants are encouraged to register in advance.

Further information:

• California Citizen Lobby Day

• Commercial Medical Cannabis Regulations in California

• Register for Press Pass

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