Prop. 215 activists were honored at the California State Fair on Saturday, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the passage of the landmark Compassionate Use Act.
“Thirty years ago, this whole wonderful event here was inconceivable. it was a mandatory felony to grow or sell any marijuana, anywhere in the US,” Cal NORML director Dale Gieringer, a co-author of the Compassionate Use Act, said in a speech at Saturday’s event. “But a growing number of people were discovering that marijuana was useful for AIDS, cancer, glaucoma, chronic pain, and many other conditions. And people were getting arrested for growing and distributing marijuana for medical use.”
As the names of Prop. 215 activists scrolled behind him on the screen, Gieringer recognized Dennis Peron, the “godfather of medical marijuana” who founded the world’s first cannabis buyer’s club, along with early leaders Anna Boyce, Scott Imler, John Entwhistle, Dr. Tod Mikuriya, DA Terence Hallinan, and Sen. John Vasconcellos. Also, Ethan Nadelmann of DPA, who brought together benefactors George Soros, George Zimmer, Peter Lewis and John Sperling. Professional campaigners Bill Zimmerman, Dave Fratello and Jim Gonzales were aided by Mikki Norris and Chris Conrad, who helped organize “a host” of volunteer signature gatherers. Prop. 215 won with 56% of the vote, and for the first time it became legal to both grow and distribute marijuana for medical use in California.
“I’m proud to say that since we passed Prop 215, some 41 states and 57 foreign countries now have legal medical marijuana—and maybe the United States will join them shortly,” Dale said. “Thanks to all of you who made this happen and helped changed the world for the better. You did good.”
Rachelle Gordon of Greenstate, who emceed the event, gave a shout out to the patients. Elvy Musikka, the first woman to receive medical marijuana from the federal government, was on hand to celebrate. The excellent film “Join the Club” about Peron and the San Francisco Buyer’s Club was screened on Sunday night, and Dale participated in a panel discussion after the screening.
Watch a livestream of the event, at which the Golden Bear awards for top product in their category were presented, along with the Pebbles Trippet Lifetime Achievement Award to all Prop. 215 activists.
Now in its fifth year of operation, The California Cannabis Experience has now taken over the fair’s Raging Waters water park space, and the first day of the 2026 State Fair saw 50% more visitors to the expanded cannabis area than the first day of the 2025 fair.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE FAIR
Budtenders Day is July 22 and Home Grow Day is Saturday, July 25th. The day will be filled with educational talks, including a presentation by Ed Rosenthal, and the very first Home Grow Awards. The inaugural Golden Bear for Home Grow Flower will be awarded at 7 pm.
August 1 is Consumers Day. There will be contests and giveaways all day long, culminating with the Consumers Choice Award at 7 pm. Final round voting is happening here.
The rest of the days will feature DJs, giveaways, movies, and other cannabis fun. Hours for the California Cannabis Experience are Monday-Thursday, 4pm-10pm, and Friday-Sunday, 10am-10pm. Regulated sales close at 9pm. The Fair will close on August 2.