All Californians are invited to attend the California NORML/Americans for Safe Access Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, March 24 in Sacramento. The event will bring supporters from across the state to meet with their state representatives and make our voices heard on pending legislation affecting the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
We have moved up our annual lobby day from May to March this year so that we can better influence California’s budget process. The California cannabis industry is facing an automatic excise tax INCREASE from 15% to 19% in July of this year unless the legislature acts. Cal NORML is working on a legislative proposal to stave off an across-the-board tax increase, with an emphasis on protecting medical marijuana patients. We expect much discussion and action on taxes this year in the legislature, and it’s an ALL HANDS ON DECK YEAR for cannabis consumers and businesses. Please join us in Sacramento to make our voices heard!
The only cannabis bill introduced so far this legislative year is AB 8 by Asm. Aguiar Curry, addressing industrial hemp. We are expecting more bills to be introduced soon (stay tuned).
PLEASE SIGN UP TO ATTEND LOBBY DAY SO THAT WE MAY BEGIN TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS FOR YOU.
LOBBY DAY SCHEDULE
Monday, March 24, 2025
MORNING
10 AM – 12 PM; doors open at 9:15 AM serving coffee, donuts and snacks
Capitol Event Center
1020 11th St., (between J and K Streets), Sacramento
Gather for training/legislative overview; pick up your afternoon appointment information
LUNCH BREAK (on your own)
AFTERNOON
1 PM Group Photo on the Capitol Steps
1:30 – 5 PM
Attendees will go to the Capitol for appointments with your elected representatives or their staffs.
EVENING
5 PM – 7 PM
Afterparty / Reception – food, drinks and fun!
Cafeteria 15L
2024 Citizen Lobbyists at their meeting wth Assembly Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
OUR LOBBY DAY HISTORY
Last year’s California NORML/Americans for Safe Access Citizen Lobby Day on Monday, May 6, 2024 in Sacramento brought dozens of supporters from across the state to meet with their state representatives and make our voices heard on pending legislation affecting the rights of cannabis consumers in California.
Many of the bills we lobbied on, including the Cal NORML-sponsored cannabis café bill, were signed into law and have now taken effect. Another bill we worked on extended cannabis compassion programs for needy patients.
A survey sent to lobby day participants found that 81% of respondents found the experience “empowering”; 88% found it “educational/interesting” and 77% thought it was “enjoyable/fun.” Of the respondents, who were adult use and/or medical marijuana consumers and/or cannabis business people, 69% responded yes to, “I felt my voice was heard regarding cannabis legislation in California” and 77% agreed, “Cal NORML made it easy for me to be a citizen lobbyist.”
Among attendees—60% of whom were returning citizen lobbyists—77% agreed, “I re-connected with friends and/or colleagues,” with 81% saying, “I met new friends/activists.” Some 92% of respondents said they would return for another Lobby Day (only 8% were “unsure” and no one answered “no”).
“Despite cannabis legalization in California, enacted by the voters with Prop. 64 in 2016, obstacles remain to consumer access to safe, affordable cannabis products, and to the experience of enjoying it in public spaces,” said Ellen Komp, Deputy Director of Cal NORML. “Citizen Lobby Days go a long way towards building relationships with lawmakers, and erasing lingering stigmas against cannabis consumers. And they’re lots of fun!”
“It’s important to realize how important Lobby Day is, because more bills that have come to fruition in California have come from a Lobby Day,” said Richard Miller of Americans for Safe Access California Advisory Committee, pointing to a 2015 bill to end discrimination against medical marijuana patients who need organ transplants. “Past lobby days have helped bring about reforms such as employment rights for cannabis consumers, and medical rights for pain patients and others who use cannabis,” Miller added.
“Participating in Lobby Day is pivotal for civic engagement, as it empowers citizens to amplify their voices in legislative processes,” said Jakki Hernandez of Orange County NORML. “This event offers an inspiring environment for training, pairing newcomers with experienced attendees to foster camaraderie and guidance. Through this collaborative approach, advocacy efforts are strengthened, enhancing the community’s influence in shaping laws that impact them. By the conclusion of the day, newcomers become proficient in discussing the relevant bills, underscoring the importance of fighting for one’s beliefs through education and activation. Every individual should experience a lobby day to witness firsthand the significance of advocating for what they believe in.
