Who We Are

Built by consumers.
For everyone.

ACCA exists because when Oregon's SB 1548 was moving through the legislature, there was no permanent, organized consumer voice in the room. We're building that — starting in Oregon and Hawai'i, and growing toward something national.

Why this org exists — and why now.

In 2025, Oregon Senate Bill 1548 came within a few votes of becoming law. The bill would have required individual wrapping for every cannabis edible unit and capped each unit at 10mg THC — changes framed as child safety measures, but unsupported by Oregon's own Poison Center data, peer-reviewed pharmacology, or evidence on packaging effectiveness.

Industry groups and consumers pushed back together, but that experience made one thing clear: cannabis consumers need a permanent, organized, non-industry voice in every legislative session — not just when a crisis bill is already moving. The American Cannabis Consumer Alliance was built to be that voice.

We are not a trade association. We don't represent growers, processors, or retailers. We represent the 64 million Americans who used cannabis legally last year and deserve policy that treats them like adults.

How we got here

1973

Oregon Leads on Decriminalization

Oregon becomes the first state in the country to decriminalize cannabis — reducing possession of up to one ounce to a civil fine. A foundational step that set a national precedent.

1996–1998

Medical Legalization Begins

California becomes the first state to legalize medical cannabis (Prop 215, 1996). Oregon, Alaska, and Washington follow in 1998 via ballot measure. A regulated market is born — with no organized consumer voice to shape it.

2013

Oregon HB 3460 — Medical Dispensaries Legalized

Gov. Kitzhaber signs HB 3460 on August 14, 2013, directing the Oregon Health Authority to establish a registration system for licensed medical cannabis dispensaries. Oregon's first formal retail infrastructure for cannabis consumers.

2012–2014

Adult Use Arrives — The Wave Begins

Colorado and Washington (2012) become the first states to legalize adult-use cannabis. Oregon and Alaska follow with Measure 91 (November 4, 2014) — Oregon voters approve 56% to 44%, legalizing adult use and possession for adults 21+. Sixty-four million legal consumers exist — still unorganized.

2016

California, Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts

Four more states legalize adult-use cannabis on Election Night 2016. The regulated market expands to the coasts. Consumer protections still lag industry representation at every level of policy.

2018–2019

Vermont, Michigan, Illinois

Vermont becomes the first state to legalize adult-use cannabis through the legislature rather than a ballot measure (2018). Michigan follows via ballot (2018). Illinois enacts adult-use legalization legislatively in 2019 — with landmark social equity provisions.

2020–2021

Arizona, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, New Mexico

Six more states legalize adult-use cannabis across two years. Oregon also passes Measure 110 (2020) — the first state to decriminalize personal possession of all drugs, with Anthony Johnson as Chief Petitioner. 24 states are now legal or moving toward it.

2022–2023

Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio

The final wave of the decade brings the total to 24 states with adult-use legalization. 88% of Americans now support legal cannabis (Pew Research, 2024). The market generates $20B+ in state tax revenue. Consumers: still unrepresented in policy.

2025

Oregon SB 1548 — The Wake-Up Call

SB 1548 moves through the Oregon Legislature. Industry and consumers push back together and the bill does not advance. But the fight exposed a gap: no permanent, organized consumer voice exists to hold that ground between sessions.

2026

ACCA Founded

The American Cannabis Consumer Alliance launches to fill that gap — building the list, the research library, and the infrastructure before the next session arrives.

What We Stand For

Our principles.

01

Consumer First

We represent cannabis consumers — not the businesses that sell to them. Our positions are determined by what is good for the people who use cannabis legally and responsibly, full stop.

02

Evidence Over Advocacy

Every position we take is backed by peer-reviewed science, government data, or primary source reporting. We don't argue from ideology — we argue from facts. When the facts change, we change with them.

03

Regulation Works

We believe the licensed, regulated cannabis market is safer for consumers, safer for communities, and better for public health than prohibition or the unregulated market. We defend and improve regulation — we don't oppose it.

04

Equity Is Non-Negotiable

Cannabis prohibition fell hardest on communities of color. Any cannabis policy framework that doesn't center equity and address those harms is incomplete. ACCA brings that lens to every legislative fight.

05

Transparency Always

We are transparent about who funds us, what we spend money on, and what positions we hold. Consumers deserve to know who is speaking in their name — and why.

06

Show Up

Good policy advocacy requires presence — in hearing rooms, at community meetings, in the inbox of every legislator considering a bill that affects consumers. We don't just publish reports. We show up.

Leadership

Meet the Founder

Kaliko Castille at the Oregon State Capitol
Founder & Executive Director
Kaliko Castille
American Cannabis Consumer Alliance

Kaliko Castille has spent more than a decade at the intersection of cannabis policy, community organizing, and political strategy. He served as Director of Marketing at the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) and as Board President of the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA), where he led the creation of MCBA's National Cannabis Equity Report and helped develop model legalization policies for state legislatures. His federal policy work included direct lobbying for equitable cannabis reform.

He currently serves as Political Director at APANO Action Fund and founded ACCA after Oregon's 2025 SB 1548 fight made clear that consumers needed a permanent, non-industry voice in Salem — and in every state where bad cannabis policy is being made. His work has been featured in MSNBC, Forbes, Bloomberg, Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, The Hill, and Cheddar. He was named to MJ Venture's 40 Under 40.

Governance

Board of Directors

ACCA is in the process of establishing its formal board of directors. We are actively recruiting community leaders, policy experts, and consumer advocates who share our commitment to evidence-based cannabis policy reform.

Board Forming — Join Us

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Oregon Policy Voice

A seasoned Oregon policy advocate with deep legislative relationships and a track record of shaping cannabis law at the state level.

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Reform Strategist

Someone with direct experience running statewide ballot measures or major policy campaigns — and the relationships to match.

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Public Health Voice

A medical professional or public health researcher who can anchor our science-based approach and engage credibly with health-focused opposition.

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Hawai'i Representative

A Hawai'i-based community leader who can help establish ACCA's presence and build the consumer list ahead of the next state session.

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Legal / Financial

A legal or financial professional to support ACCA's organizational development as we build out the c3/c4/PAC structure.

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Community Voice

A consumer advocate — not a professional — who represents the everyday people ACCA exists to serve and can keep us grounded in that mission.

Interested in serving on the ACCA Board?

We're building something new. If you have expertise in policy, public health, law, organizing, or community advocacy — and you believe consumers deserve a real seat at the table — we want to hear from you. Board service is volunteer-based and Oregon or Hawai'i connection is preferred but not required.

Express Interest →

Transparency

Our commitments to you.

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No Industry Control

Industry can sponsor events. Industry cannot set our positions. Our policy stances are determined by consumer interests and evidence — period.

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Published Financials

Once formally established, ACCA will publish annual financial disclosures so members know exactly how their contributions are used.

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Your Data Is Yours

We will never sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties — including industry partners or sponsors.

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Public Positions

Every bill we support or oppose, every testimony we submit, and every statement we make will be publicly posted on this site.