January 19, 2021 - CALL TO ACTION

January 19 2021

Good Afternoon,

The last newsletter we sent out detailed the two bills we are fighting against and trying to make compromise with. We have talked with our lobbyist via zoom call that members were party to and have explained the situations we are faced with and the concessions we are willing to make with the legislature to also get what we want and to stay in business. Even though we are still talking to legislators, those legislators still need to hear from you and your customers. Candice has made a Call-to-Action graphic for us to use in Microsoft Word. You can copy and paste the information I will attach to this email and use it to fit your district that your home or your shop is in. Our message is simply to mention the two bills and to protect flavors in vape shops.

The first bill is heading to committee on January 28^th so we have about 8 days to make calls and emails. We need to put the word out to the MVA, non-members of the MVA and our customers to make these calls and emails. This year is completely different in the way we have to do things because of Covid and we won’t have a physical presence in Annapolis this year so we are highly dependent on what our lobby team is doing and what we are doing. The calls this year will be especially important to our cause.

How to find your district and legislators:

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District

There is 3 tabs on this page, use the lookup tab to enter your address

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0273?ys=2021RS

HB273

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0177?ys=2021RS

SB 177

I know it is a fight every year, but we must keep doing what we have been doing to protect our industry and this life saving technology. Sooner or later people will wake up and see how these devices are saving lives. Thank you for your continued support and thank you to everyone who continues to fight by making the calls, writing the emails and interacts with our government!

I hope this newsletter finds you all well and hope to see you all in February!

Thank You,

Matthew Milby

MVA

As always questions can be emailed to Maryland.vapor.alliance@gmail.com