For Immediate Release: May 16th, 2012

Californians to Regulate Medical Marijuana Hold "Unity" Conference & Lobby Day in Sacramento

Press conference on Monday at Capitol, followed by lobby visits to each State Assembly & Senate office

Sacramento, CA -- Californians to Regulate Medical Marijuana, a Political Action Committee formed in the fall of 2011 to push for passage of a statewide production and distribution system, is holding a "Unity Conference" this weekend, followed by a press conference and lobby day on Monday. Advocates will gather at the Sacramento Central Labor Council on Saturday and Sunday to build their skills and strategize on passing statewide regulations. Hundreds of advocates will then gather on Monday at the Capitol to lobby every State Assembly and Senate office.

What: Unity Conference hosted by Californians to Regulate Medical Marijuana
When: Saturday, May 19th & Sunday, May 20th from 10am-5:30pm
Where: Central Labor Council, 2840 El Centro Road, Suite 111, Sacramento

What: Press conference to announce lobby day and push for passage of AB 2312
When: Monday, May 21st at 12 Noon
Where: State Capitol, 10th & L Streets, Sacramento

The Unity Conference is being 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. Experts and leaders in the medical marijuana community will engage participants in better understanding the political and legal landscape in California and help them to influence policy. Video addresses have been prepared by Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), Sam Farr (D-Carmel), and State Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco).

The main theme of the conference is to develop skills and grassroots leadership to ensure passage of AB 2312, a statewide regulatory system for the production and distribution of medical marijuana. In fact, conference participants will be trained as advocates for an unprecedented effort to lobby state legislators on medical marijuana. However, conference participants will also learn how to lobby at the local level and better understand the confusing legal landscape in California. ASA Chief Counsel Joe Elford will discuss recent landmark state court rulings as well as pending federal lawsuits against the Obama Administration.

"Californians are eager to fully implement the state's medical marijuana law, and push back against federal interference," said ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer. "We're simply giving them the tools to more effectively lobby their local, state and federal governments in order to achieve that aim." Unity Conference sponsors include the Drug Policy Alliance and several medical marijuana providers, including Abatin, Harborside Health Center, and SPARC.

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