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 21, 2024

Join us for our free, annual “joint” holiday celebration! San Diego Blue Dream Democrats, San Diego Americans for Safe Access, San Diego NORML, and the Cannabis Education Project will be having a potluck at a private outdoor space in Ocean Beach (4755 Long Branch Ave, San Diego, CA 92107) on Sunday, December 15th between 2pm and 5pm. Enjoy the...

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...

Jun 3, 2024

Community Budget Alliance calls on City Council to fully restore ALL equity-focused budget cuts

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...

Feb 5, 2024

While some progress has been made on the City’s cannabis social equity program, much is left to be desired.

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...

Jan 30, 2018

Once again the Latino American Political Association has endorsed a candidate proven to be harmful to Latino families. Former DA Bonnie Dumanis joined Summer Stephan as a LAPA choice in the 2018 election. Stephan is running for District Attorney after being appointed by Dumanis when Dumanis left the office to run for County Supervisor Dist. 4. LAPA’s logo...