AAMC: Richard G Miller

Richard G Miller

Contact Richard Miller

Richard G Miller, a native Californian, was born in San Francisco in 1962 during a time when Cannabis use was a common thing to see. From a young age his community and family offered a unique perspective and education that has developed into a multi-layered expertise in the field of medical Cannabis. This sparked an early passion and relationship with cannabis that developed into Richard being a diligent proponent for patient support and advocacy since 1991. When not advocating at the Capitol with legislators, City Hall, the County Board of Supervisors, or with local law enforcement, he is teaching health, education and patients’ legal rights to anyone that will listen. In recent years, to promote the use of Medical Cannabis, Richard has been on the board of the Sacramento Chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), Patient Advocacy Director - Crusaders for Patients’ Rights (CPR), Legislative Liaison Director - El Dorado County American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC), Director - Sacramento NORML, founding Director for Health Education and Legal Patient’s Rights (HELPR) and Director - California Growers Association. Richard is also a member of The Human Solution and a past member of Sac Patients.

Richard’s fundamental belief and commitment to service reflects his belief that: “Together We Can Make the Difference!”

Richard is a third-generation Cannabis farmer passed down from Uncle to Nephew that goes back prior to 1940 when his family grew Hemp in Kansas and Missouri for medicinal uses. Many of the recipes continue to be used to this day! Richard has been involved with forestry, agriculture, and Future Farmers of America from the early age of 15. At 16, Richard was hired by Creswell High School District (Creswell, Oregon) to run and operate the FFA and Horticulture Greenhouse. This was the first time a student body member had been hired by that school district. It was at this time that he became more aware of the environment and understanding the importance of sustainable, sensible farming and forestry procedures. He helped protect our environment for future generations by addressing the Oregon legislators on land reforestation and stopping clear cutting in our national forest. That was also the year Richard took on and started assisting his first patient who was an amputee after a motor cycle accident. At 18, Richard was caring for his second patient who had Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus all during a time when he was transitioning out from the foster care system. By 19 he received an opportunity through a CETA grant to work at the University of Oregon in the horticulture department on a research project on aquaponics, tomatoes and cross pollination. This was when he realized that horticulture, Cannabis and patients would play an important role in his life and has continued his quest ever since.

Richard has long recognized the therapeutic use and value of medical Cannabis. He was involved, in the early 90’s, with the medical Cannabis scene in San Francisco during the run up to the passing of Prop 215 (The Compassionate Use Act).. At that time, Richard devoted his spare time to San Francisco’s HIV and AIDS community helping those patients that could not help themselves. He realized that their voices needed to be heard. Richard’s outreach included such groups as the San Francisco Buyer Club, protesting and donating paper and printed materials during marches, the Aids project, Aids Walks, Act Up, Meals on Wheels, Patients from Shanti Project, the Bartlett house and Gold Gate charity, helping patients transitioning through end of life stages.

Richard's beliefs also include the use of Medical Cannabis for large animals. "Equine" and our very little furry friends "Dogs and Cats" are part of his farm’s daily husbandry duties. It has shown remarkable results over the 12 years while running Haven For Horses, Inc. a nonprofit sanctuary for large and small animals. The farm cultivation project had such an impact and consistent growth that Richard opened his doors to public outside his home and opened a dispensary in 2012. As many know, this year was a difficult year for the cannabis industry to operate without federal interference. The dispensary’s doors were not able to be open long before the City of Auburn courts would shut it down. With an extensive 2 year legal battle that flooded into his personal life, it would ultimately force the closure of his non-profit as well as costing him his home and farm. While the impact did come at a great cost, he has never wavered in his passion or beliefs and continues to speak out on the benefits of medical cannabis for patients, animals and cultivators, alike.

Richard feels, along with a majority of the population, that the use of medical Cannabis for therapeutic purposes deserves far greater support than it currently has in local communities, states, and at the national level. He also believes that the need for research is very necessary and is long overdue at the state, federal and international level.

Richard continues to show up in the community at events protecting civil rights, patients’ rights, monitoring and supporting good legislation, and educating medical Cannabis patients on safe and responsible cultivation and medicating practices.

It is with great honor and respect that Richard accepts the position of California State Director for the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis and continues to fight as he has done for more than 24 years for a successful outcome on continued legislation at the State and Federal level.

Having spent many years working alongside former State Director Ryan Landers, Richard plans to continue with Ryan’s mission and vision, always putting Patients’ Rights first!

“If we could see the miracle of a single Flower clearly, our whole life would change” -Buddha

Richard Miller