The lobbying group Californians to Regulate Medical Marijuana is holding a press conference soon in Sacramento, CA in support of AB 2312 and SB 1182, bills that would regulate the medical marijuana industry in the state and clear up some of the legal confusion that now reigns. Americans for Safe Access put out a press release earlier detailing the press conference.

Sacramento, CA – Californians to Regulate Medical Marijuana, a Political Action Committee formed in the fall of 2011 to push for passage of statewide regulations of production and distribution, is holding a press conference and mass lobby day today starting at noon. Fresh from a two-day “Unity Conference” at the Sacramento Central Labor Council hall in Natomas, three hundred or more safe access, union, business and environmental advocates will gather today at the Capitol to lobby every State Assembly and Senate office.

What: Press conference to announce lobby day and push for passage of AB 2312 & SB1182
When: Monday, May 21st at 12 Noon
Where: State Capitol, 10th & L Streets, Sacramento (South Lawn)
Who: Senator Mark Leno (D-SF), Asm. Tom Ammiano, D-SF; Steph Sherer and Don Duncan, Americans for Safe Access; Dan Rush, UFCW Local 5; Alison Sterling Nichols, Emerald Growers Association; Dale Sky Jones, Californians for Cannabis Policy Reform; Dale Gieringer, CA NORML
Photos: Excellent photo opportunities with 300+ activists from across state, holding signs and banners

At the $50 weekend Unity Conference, each day more than two hundred diverse Californians built consensus, gained advocacy skills and strategized on passing statewide regulations. Attendees from every region of California heard video addresses from Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach) and Sam Farr (D-Carmel), State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), and State Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco).

“Today the medical cannabis movement will show the sate legislature that we’re diverse and we’re organized. We’ve come together to pass AB2312, to create sensible statewide regulations for safe access for patients and safe communities across the state of California.” said Steph Sherer, Executive Director of ASA.

The Unity Conference was organized by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, California NORML, the Coalition for Cannabis Policy Reform, and the Emerald Growers Association. Sponsors and presenters included the American Herbal Products Association, Grassroots Labs and several labor organizations.

Brochure on Unity Conference: http://AmericansForSafeAccess.org/downloads/CRMM_2012_Unity_Conference.pdf

It starts soon so spread the word!!!

UPDATE: What Happened at the Press Conference

- Joe Klare