Steph Sherer, Founder of ASA, teaching peace officers what peace means during an act of civil disobedience.
When Americans for Safe Access began in 2002, most of the medical cannabis community was working on proving the therapeutic benefits of cannabis to their state legislators and highlighting the continued federal interference with state law.
In California, the medical cannabis community was creating laws, policies, and regulations that formalized access programs.
Since then, the political landscape has change dramatically and now medical cannabis advocates across the country are weighing in on state and local legislative proposals.
Americans for Safe Access believes that good policy is created when those who are most affected are at the table. Just because you are medical cannabis patient, it doesn’t mean that you automatically have a degree in public policy.
ASA has always been committed to demystifying political systems and providing advocates the tools they need to participate in the processes in a meaningful way.
For the past nine years ASA has been providing capacity building trainings to support the medical cannabis community.
Over the years, ASA has added new trainings to meet the evolving needs of the advocates.
“We cannot create good policy without including the voices and experience of patients and those who provide them with access to care and with these trainings, we hope to give you the tools you need to most effectively make your voice heard,” says Don Duncan. Mr. Duncan is a Co-founder and the California Campaigns Director for the nation’s largest patient advocacy group and has been instrumental in seeing California implement their medical marijuana program.
How to use the training center:
We have provided videos for each of ASA’s trainings that are accompanied by a handbook and worksheets. Depending on where you are in your political campaign, some of these trainings may be more relevant than others. You utilize the trainings as you need them in your local work.
You can watch these individually or at your ASA chapter meetings.
A Patient’s History of Medical Cannabis
Strategic Planning
Know Your Rights
Legislating Compassion
Know the Rules of Engagement: Civics 101
Medical Cannabis Spokesperson
Strategic Messaging
Talking to the Media
Testifying before Civic Bodies
Public Speaking
The Tools in your Toolkit
Citizen Lobbying
Media 101
Organizing a Demonstration
Organizing Turnout for Civic Meetings
Participating in Implementation
ASA Campaigns
Outreach and Recruitment
Volunteer and Leadership Development
Coalition Building
Organizing Court Support
Supporting POWs
Organizing Raid Responses
10 Ways to Get Involved
To access the Policy Shop and Training Center for Americans for Safe Access, please click here.
