How You Can Help Bring Medical Marijuana to Your State

Medical marijuana is currently legal in many states, but not all of them. If you want to see it legalized in your state, there are many ways you can help make that happen. From gathering support from friends and family to contacting the local government, working to legalize marijuana in your area is more than just a pipe dream; it’s possible.

Making Medical Marijuana a Reality

Even if medical marijuana isn’t legal in your area, this won’t always be true. Read on to learn five ways you can get involved to help legalize medical marijuana in your state.

1. Support Local Policy Reform

There are lots of ways to get involved with marijuana policy reform at a state level. Start by getting involved in your local community. For example, if you live in Colorado and you support marijuana policy reform, sign up for NORML’s Action Alerts and donate time or money for upcoming campaigns.

Next, be sure to attend Town Hall meetings and city council meetings for marijuana policy discussions. Make sure you research specific ways marijuana legalization will help you and thoroughly explain why during the public comment time.

2. Contact Your Representative and Senator

Another way to support medical marijuana legalization is to contact your representative and senator. Getting involved by calling and emailing your representative and senator will get you one step closer to finding support for medical marijuana at every level of government. With consistency and dedication, you’ll soon see your dream become a reality.

3. Support Local Cannabis Businesses

Since medical marijuana became legal in California last year, some dispensaries have closed due to pressure from city officials and local law enforcement. Now that they’re allowed by state law, some of these businesses want to follow local laws. Cities like Fresno, San Francisco, and Oakland have instituted temporary bans on all cannabis sales until local governments create a plan for regulating medical marijuana.

These bans are especially dangerous as they don’t allow those who need medical marijuana a way to get it, making patients wait even longer to get relief from their symptoms. The alternative? If you live in one of these cities that has banned medical marijuana, support nearby retailers. Push back on these bans by finding a local California dispensary to support. Whether you buy cannabis or support them in other ways, helping to keep their doors open will help fight for legalization all over the country.

4. Talk to Friends and Family About Legalizing Medical Marijuana

The next step in supporting medical marijuana legalization is to speak with your friends and family. If you have loved ones that live in states where marijuana is currently legal, consider asking them to be advocates for legalization in your state. Likewise, getting those close to you to contact your local government will help to accelerate the legalization process.

Be sure to talk to your friends and family about why they should make their voices heard by advocating for legalization in your state. Additionally, consider asking your loved ones to reach out to local organizations to see what opportunities exist where you live. There are likely several nonprofits that support cannabis legalization, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

5. Spread Awareness Through Social Media

Don’t forget to use your voice and influence in your cannabis crusade. If you have a relatively large following on social media, now’s the time to put your voice to use. Though it may seem like everyone is familiar with medical marijuana, that’s not always the case.

Even though it may not seem like it, more than half of all Americans still live in states where cannabis is not yet legal. When you move across state lines and discover no local businesses are operating within legal limits, it's clear to see how much work is yet to be done. Share your opinions by making content on social media about the legalization of marijuana. Whether you make videos on Instagram or write blogs on LinkedIn, sharing your opinion far and wide will show others just how widespread this issue is.

If you’re ready to see marijuana become a mainstay in your area, it’s time to make it happen. Use these five tips to make sure cannabis is legalized everywhere.