About

The San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the local chapter of the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, grassroots actions, advocacy, and services for patients and their caregivers. ASA has over 150,000 active members with chapters and affiliates in all 50 states. San Diego ASA helps protect the rights of cannabis patients. We are working to change local and federal policy to meet the immediate needs of patients as well as create long-term strategies for safe access and programs that encourage research.

San Diego ASA Coordinating Committee

Officers

Shelby Huffaker, MPH (she/her) | Chair

Shelby Huffaker is a public health researcher and has been a San Diego ASA member since 2021. She is passionate about advocating for the medical uses of cannabis and righting the wrongs caused by the War on Drugs. In her free time, Shelby enjoys running, yoga, reading, and crafting. Email Shelby Huffaker

Terrie Best | Vice Chair

Terrie Best, involved with San Diego ASA since 2009, serving as a chair from 2014 and as vice chair from 2024, focuses her volunteer work on advocacy as it pertains to the war on drugs and the damage it has caused citizens. In 2015, Terrie won ASA’s Patient Advocate of the Year award and in 2012, the chapter won Chapter of the Year award under her leadership. Her specialty is in organizing court support for cannabis defendants. Email Terrie Best

Linda Davies | Chair of Hospitality

Linda has been advocating for cannabis for 35 years. She has been with San Diego ASA since its inception in 2001, with San Diego NORML for 25 years, and with Decriminalizing Magic Mushrooms since 2020. Linda loves supporting and helping people in any way possible, and has been around the world advocating for improvements in cannabis laws. Linda has a love of people and celebrating life. Email Linda Davies

Johann Balbuena | Social Equity Coordinator

JM Balbuena is an author, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Synergy, a full-service multi-media organization and advocacy lifestyle brand. She currently serves as the CMO at Prime Harvest, a tech-retail focused cannabis organization and parent company to San Diego’s cannabis retail dispensary and delivery platform, Jaxx Cannabis. Balbuena is the author of the Amazon bestselling book, The Successful Canna-Preneur. JM is a US Navy veteran and proud Afro-Latina who lives in San Diego, California.

Board Members At-Large

Cannabis Social Equity Committee Members

For a future consideration please provide your name, phone number, and why you would like to be a part of the San Diego ASA Chapter Coordinating Committee by contacting us on Facebook.