Citizen lobbying is an essential part of being a medical cannabis advocate and is the only way that elected officials know how to represent 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. These include lobbyists representing businesses, anti-cannabis groups spreading misinformation, the addiction industrial complex promoting stigmatizing policies, and drug testing companies advocating for outdated practices. Without input from patient advocates, lawmakers may not only remain unaware of the challenges patients are facing but they could also unknowingly support legislation that harms access to life-changing medical cannabis treatments.
The truth is medical cannabis policy is complicated, and elected officials need your help to understand how to support patients and why it should be a priority for their office. If you are not bringing the voice of patients to the conversation, they will conclude that patients are satisfied with the status quo.
You possess the most effective tool to influence change: your vote. As a constituent, you have the power to hold your representatives accountable for the issues that affect you. However, change can only happen if the people elected to make our laws understand the issue, how to address it, and that it is essential to those who put them in office. That means they are depending on you to communicate this to them. As a medical cannabis advocate, it is essential that you understand your power and how to use it!
Cannabis and cannabinoid medicines are improving lives and providing relief to millions of registered patients across the nation. Despite this progress, federal laws lag behind, leaving many groups—such as veterans, federal employees, and patients in underserved states—without access to these therapies. The 119th Congress must prioritize patient-focused policies to protect access, advance research, and harmonize federal and state laws. If patient advocates don’t step forward, there is a real risk that legislative decisions will prioritize other interests, resulting in unintended harm to those who need these treatments most.
Please take a moment and personalize this letter below. Make sure you add your email and phone number in the 2nd to last paragraph ("Feel free to contact me at [Your Email] or [Your Phone Number]". Send one to your 2 Senators and to your members of Congress. Welcome them to the new Congress, and let them know patients need them to champion medical cannabis issues in this session of Congress.
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