Hey Friends,
Let's go to the state house together. In New Hampshire we have a few bills being proposed centered around cannabis and cannabis accessibility.
It is SO IMPORTANT for our community to show up. However, it's also difficult because most of us work full time jobs and these events are usually smack in the middle of the day in the state capital (which many of us don't live close to). So I wanted to take you with me so you can see how I prepare and what to expect.
I always read the bills ahead of attending the meetings, and script out what i'm planning on saying. Government buildings are like mazes so make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early to find parking and find what room you're speaking in. Once you arrive, find your people... with cannabis its a bit obvious but often just listening to a few conversations helps locate like minded people. For house bills, we are given pink slips if we want to say a verbal testimony. We fill out the slip and give it to the chair and they will call us when its time for us to speak. The room is often divided down the middle like a wedding with the pro-people on one side and the anti-people on the other. Don't be nervous before you speak, try to speak as confidently as possible and speak on your passion and expertise. I often bring up relevant scientific studies, but patient stories are powerful as well as even summarizing the parts of the bill that you like.
Remember you can always submit a written testimony if you are unable to make the meeting but it has to be submitted by the time the public meeting is over so do it now!!!
Leave any questions below and I will ask them on future episodes of the bioactive podcast with cannabis advocates.
Thanks for watching, mad love!
