Be a part of the biggest and most important medical cannabis lobby day yet

I am happy to report that the California Assembly just adopted AB 258, the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act by a vote of 52 to 8!

This ASA-sponsored legislation will reduce unnecessary suffering and preventable death by ending pervasive discrimination against medical cannabis patients in the organ transplant process. Thank you to all of the ASA members and friends who signed petitions, sent emails, and visited offices to get the bill through the Assembly. The bill goes next to the Senate for a committee and floor vote, so keep up the good work.

California Assembly Member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) introduced AB 258 after two ASA members visited his office last year as part of our annual medical cannabis lobby day in the state legislature. The bill’s introduction is a clear example of direct grassroots action making a real difference in the political process - and in the lives of patients.

It is time to bring that effective grassroots power back to the state Capitol. Registration for ASA’s California Citizen Lobby Day, June 14-15, in Sacramento is now open. Please sign up today for the biggest and most important citizen lobby day yet.

ASA will make an appointment for you to meet with you state Assembly Member and Senator when you sign up. The requested donation for the lobby day is just $25, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

This is truly a strategic moment for medical cannabis in California, and we need to make a powerful show of grassroots support to influence more than a dozen medical cannabis bills in the legislature right now. The decisions that lawmakers make this year will affect medical cannabis patients and other stakeholders for years to come. They will also have a profound impact on the political landscape for an anticipated voter initiative to legalize cannabis in 2016. Research shows that visits from constituents are six times more influential for lawmakers than visits from paid lobbyists.

This year’s California Citizen Lobby Day will be two days long. The first day will include workshops on regulating medical cannabis cultivation and using the local voter imitative process to turn the tide of local bans. The second day will include special legislative briefings, training for citizen lobbyists, and visits with lawmakers in the state Capitol. There will also be a comedy show hosted by comedian and medical cannabis personality Ngaio Bealum, special guest speakers, and an all-star reception and awards ceremony. Be sure to check out the tentative agenda when you register.

Don’t miss your chance to shape the future of medical cannabis as part of the California Citizen Lobby Day. Get registered and make your travel arrangements for Sacramento now!

See you at the lobby day!