Citizen Advocates are unique, each from a different background and community, but together they form the backbone of any grassroots organization. The common factor across advocacy in nearly every issue is the need for a focused message, positive volunteers, and an understanding of your target audience. As volunteer leaders of Virginia NORML, Virginia Cannabis Group offered leadership and training for the excited advocates from around the Commonwealth who gathered in Richmond to discuss Marijuana law reform.
Reforming Virginia Marijuana Policy through Training and Leadership
The 2018 Virginia Cannabis Conference was held in Richmond, January 21st and 22nd. On Sunday, JM Pedini and Daniel Rouleau led citizen advocates in a day-long education and training event focused on Monday's lobby day at the General Assembly. National speakers, marijuana advocacy experts, and local lawmakers spoke about marijuana policy, current reform efforts, and the need for change to allow patients the access to medicine so desperately needed. Delegate Ben Cline, sponsor of the House version of "Let Doctors Decide" medical marijuana access expansion bill, was a key speaker at the afternoon session.
Cannabis Lobby Day started five years ago as an unorganized shouting session that normally harmed marijuana law reform efforts, despite the sincerity of the citizen advocates. With some cultivation by JM, Virginia NORML membership has gone from a fringe group to a respectable citizen coalition. Non-profit oversight and administration under Chairperson Daniel Rouleau and Executive Director JM Pedini has led to increased fundraising, effective citizen interaction with lawmakers, and more media appearances.
Few things are as satisfying as being catalysts of change and fostering positive interactions between lawmakers and citizens concerned about cannabis issues. Virginia Cannabis Group is committed to improving laws in the Commonwealth to allow growth of the emerging regulated medical marijuana market. We are the policy expert and leaders your venture needs to successfully apply for a pharmaceutical processing license in Virginia and foster positive relationships with local and state agencies. Contact JM or Daniel directly at [email protected].
Reaching New Opportunities with Professional Education
Some of the most inspiring business success stories in American history highlight innovators who risked to enter new markets and form new industries. Marijuana has already surpassed $1 billion in market value, but the industry is still in its infancy. This means new, exciting opportunities in the industry are still available, either directly as a cannabusiness owner or indirectly as a supporting role. In addition to license assistance, VCG can be the high point of your professional education event. With years of graduate legal education and successful experience lobbying for this policy issue, Virginia Cannabis Group are the experts on Virginia marijuana policy and helping direct what the future for this exciting new market will look like. Don't miss your opportunity to grow your business alongside Virginia's newest industry. Book your Marijuana Policy Presentation today!