[ASA Field]

Dear ASA Supporter,

This month, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) celebrates its five-year anniversary, and I am writing to say thank you to all of the patients and advocates who have worked so hard and given so generously. This anniversary is a milestone for the medical cannabis movement. I am also writing today to invite you to take a fresh look at ASA and to make a renewed commitment to helping us ensure safe and legal access to medical cannabis for everyone who needs it.

You might already know ASA as a grassroots campaign. Perhaps you have been to one of the hundreds of protests we have organized in cities across the country. Maybe you have used our educational literature designed to speak to patients, doctors, researchers, and other stakeholders. Hundreds of you use our toll free patient hotline every month for information and legal support, and hundreds of thousands of you have download information from our newly redesigned web site - which contains the most up-to-date information and effective tools for advocacy.

But there is a lot more to ASA than that. Every day, ASA works in partnership with state, local and national legislators to overcome barriers and create policies that improve the lives of patients. With more than 35,000 active members with chapters and affiliates in more than forty states, ASA is now the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic uses and research.

Last year, we opened our new office in Washington, DC, making ASA the only organization in the nation's capital working full-time exclusively on medical cannabis issues. Doors are opening to us in Congress that are closed to organizations with broader agendas. Our two full-time lobbyists are making tremendous gains -- and making up for lost time -- in Congress. Bolstered by our ground-breaking lawsuit against the federal government, our staff is working towards real change in federal law in the near future.

As we arrive at our five-year anniversary, we should take a moment to reflect, not just on how far we have come, but on where we are going, how we can get there, and when we are going to do it. Twelve states have adopted medical cannabis laws. We need Campaigns for Safe Access to implement those laws and educate patients, law enforcement, and public officials in each of those states. The federal law must change to fully implement state laws and protect patients and providers nationwide. We need people working full-time in Washington, DC, to make that happen. We need to defend more than 100 people facing federal charges right now and take the offensive in the courts with lawsuits like our federal suit against the US Department of Health and Human Services or our employment discrimination case before the California Supreme Court. Most importantly, we need to do this work right now.

It would take too many pages to list everything you have helped us accomplish, but have a look at our accomplishments page on the ASA website to see everything you have to be proud of.


We have done a lot together, but there is more to do. We still need to eliminate barriers to safe access and research in Washington, DC, protect patients from legal risks in the states, and fully implement our compassionate use laws. On the occasion of our 5-year anniversary, I would like all of you to take a moment to look at ASA and make a commitment to support our work in a meaningful way. We could not have made it five years without you, and we certainly will not finish this work without your support. I say finish this work because the fight for safe access need not be forever. We are making progress, breaking new ground in Congress, building our coalition, like our partnership with the National Association of People Living with AIDS, and creating change.

Some of you have given generously to ASA in the past. Thank you. We need you to keep up your regular support to move forward. There are some of you, however, who have not given yet. I hope you will take a fresh look at our project, campaigns, and programs and ask yourself -- "Isn't it time to do my part?" Unlike other national organizations 90% of ASA's funding comes through our membership and monthly sustainer programs. We rely on grassroots members like you to pay for everything we do together.

I would like to make a special challenge today to those of you reading this email -- let's meet our goals before another five years passes. We can do it with your help. My goal is to get 5,000 ASA members to pledge just $10 per month and 3,000 ASA members to pledge just $25 per month for the next three years. That's just pennies a day from a tiny minority of the millions of people who support medical cannabis. ASA can turn those pennies into real change for medical cannabis patients nationwide. Don't wait any longer. Join ASA as a monthly sustainer today and help us make a difference!

Thank you again for your support and participation in ASA. We have reached a milestone at five years, and, as a medical cannabis patient and an advocate, I am confident that we are in the home stretch. Happy Anniversary, ASA!

Sincerely,

Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access

Americans for Safe Access is the nation's largest organization of patients,
medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and
legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research.