Feb 12, 2025

San Diego ASA’s public comment on the County’s draft Cannabis Environmental Impact Report.

Jan 30, 2025

On January 30, 2025, the County of San Diego opened the required 60-day public comment period for its draft Cannabis Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Input from medical cannabis patients, advocates, and stakeholders is needed to ensure safe access is secured in the County.

Dec 2, 2024

By Shelby Huffaker, MPH | Chair, San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access 2024 was a busy year for cannabis on all three levels of government: local, state, and national. Read on for a recap of the year and what to expect in 2025, with key action items included. Not on our monthly newsletter list? Sign up to make sure you never miss a...

Nov 5, 2024

By Shelby Huffaker, MPH | Chair, San Diego Chapter of Americans for Safe Access When it comes to community organizing, particularly around cannabis, it can be easy at times to feel disheartened. However, when you consider all of the people toiling day in and day out to advance the rights of medical cannabis patients and consumers, it becomes clear that...

Aug 31, 2024

Shelby Huffaker critiques the San Diego Grand Jury report on cannabis legalization, arguing it lacks context and citations while overstating negative impacts. Huffaker emphasizes the positive effects of legalization, such as reduced crime and fewer arrests, and calls for balanced, evidence-based public education on cannabis’ risks and benefits.

Aug 16, 2024

In June 2024, the LA Times revealed widespread pesticide contamination in California’s cannabis market. Josh Swider, CEO of Infinite Chemical Analysis Labs, will discuss the findings and consumer protection steps in a presentation on September 24, 2024. Register on Eventhi.com for Zoom access to this San Diego Chapter Americans for Safe Access meeting.

Aug 4, 2024

A San Diego Grand Jury report recommends stronger law enforcement against the illicit cannabis market. The author argues this is misguided, advocating instead for expanding legal cannabis outlets and addressing barriers to entry in the cannabis industry, particularly for marginalized groups. Increased criminalization is seen as wasteful and harmful to public health and equity.

Aug 2, 2024

The San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access invites the public to meet San Diego City Council candidate Coleen Cusack on August 24th, 2024 at Golden Hill Community Park. Coleen, a long-time resident of District 3, offers a fresh perspective and is running against Stephen Whitburn.

Jul 8, 2024

By Coleen Cusack, Esq. This letter was written in response to San Diego ASA blog post: Running on Empty Promises: How Todd Gloria and Stephen Whitburn Ashed the City’s Cannabis Social Equity Program “Actions may speak louder than words but patterns scream the loudest.”― Christine E. Szymanski With Gloria and Whitburn a pattern has...

Apr 1, 2024

By Shelby Huffaker, MPH | San Diego Americans for Safe Access Co-Chair In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom took a significant step towards supporting medical cannabis patients by signing Senate Bill 34: The Dennis Peron and Brownie Mary Act into law. The legislation provided a lifeline to those reliant on medical cannabis by exempting donated...

Jan 1, 2024

Happy New Year San Diego ASA members! 2023 was a busy year for cannabis, with many wins and challenges. National WHERE WE’VE BEEN: On the national level, Biden issued additional pardons for those with cannabis-related convictions and granted clemency to 11 people with disproportionately long jail sentences. The Department of Health and...

Statement from Americans for Safe Access in support of California Senate Bill 1302 authored by Senator Lara which would prohibit local governments from banning delivery of cannabis within or outside of its jurisdiction (include a link to the bill).  The mission of Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for...

Jan 14, 2018

Dear Friends, As many know, former San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is running for County Supervisor District 4. Dumanis has been cruel to medical cannabis patients since she took office in 2003. She and her cross-deputized Narcotic Task Force are responsible for numerous raids on patients. And, in the courts she has used the most punitive and...

Jan 14, 2018

Hello Friends, Happy New Year from San Diego Americans For Safe Access!  We hope everybody enjoyed the holiday season with friends and family! We took a December break but can’t wait to tell you we’re back in motion in 2018 and hope you will join us for the first action of the year. As many know, US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is no friend to cannabis....

Sep 27, 2017

September 27, 2017 Terrie Best – San Diego Americans for Safe Access San Diego, CA – As the victory at City Council sinks in and a path to legitimacy will soon exist for San Diego’s cannabis supply chain, it is important to take a look at some of the city council members who made this happen and some of whom obstructed it. In July, the city staff...