By: Steph Sherer
Dear ASA Supporters,
Like most of the country we had mixed feelings about the mid-term elections. No matter what side of the aisle you’re on, there were gains and concessions, reliefs and disappointments. But, there was one race that changed everything—one election that leveraged our movement so greatly things will never be the same.
If you don’t live in California you may not have heard much about our Attorney General race. Steve Cooley was running for AG with the most blatant anti-patient platform this country has ever seen. Hand picked by the cops and funded by rightwing political strategist Carl Rove, Cooley made no small effort to let voters know that if he were elected he would do everything in his power to eradicate medical marijuana for California.
Knowing how important the success of California’s safe access program is in directing the rest of the country, we threw the full weight of ASA into this race; galvanizing our community, educating Californians and mobilizing voters. We built coalitions, created strategic marketing videos and fervently developed our field.
We watched the results pour in November 2nd, excited when he was down and nervous as his numbers went back up. Our office held our breath as the outcome seemed to change every hour. At around mid-night it was clear we weren’t going to have an answer, and we went to bed crossing our fingers that we would wake up to good news.
Well, as you may know we didn’t get that good news for another three weeks. Today (11/24), we found out—patients won! Steve Cooley was defeated, and California’s safe access is protected.
And, while this is great news for the west coast it’s even better news for us nationally, because ASA has established medical cannabis patients as a real player in the electoral landscape. This election was won by only the smallest margin of votes. It is clear to every political expert in the country that it was the patient community that swung this election, and it will be ASA that will continue to swing elections as long as our patients’ rights are in jeopardy. You saw us win in California, now help us win nation-wide.
Every ounce of weight and leverage we have is because of our members. YOU are ASA! It is our members that supported this effort, and a special thanks to members David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and to the American Cannabis Research Institute’s Ben Bronfman and Matt Atwood for their generous support.
We need your support, too. You are protecting your rights when you help us fight back and win big victories like this. ASA will be there for the next battle, if you help us do it.
Join ASA today and make sure this win is heard across the country—make sure that when you need help, we’ll be there too.
