Marijuana Anonymous Conference 2026

Marijuana Anonymous Conference 2026

Session I: May 23-24, 2026

Delegates

District Delegates

For the Service Structure to work in a unified manner, the communication must continue to flow between Districts and World Services, through the representation of their elected Delegate(s) as liaisons. This vital work begins at the first session of the Conference in May and continues throughout the year. When you join the Conference Body as a Delegate, you become an important part of the Society of MA’s mission to fulfill our primary purpose of carrying the message of recovery to addicts worldwide.

All members of the District are eligible to be elected as Delegate, as long as they meet the World Services required minimum one-year of sobriety. Sobriety for this trusted servant position is defined as abstinence from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider). 

In preparation for a full year-long commitment with World Services, each District elects two Delegates and an Alternate Delegate. The Service Manual chapter on Conference Delegates indicates the term of office for Delegates is one year, and they may serve up to two consecutive terms. Some districts have a Senior Delegate and a Junior Delegate, only electing one new delegate each year. The Senior Delegate then service sponsors the Junior Delegate. Districts may also have additional service requirements. Delegates and Alternates should be elected at least 60 days prior to the first Conference session.

Responsibilities of Delegates

Delegates attend all sessions of the MA World Service Conference and serve as Voting Members in the 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation of Marijuana Anonymous World Services, Inc. Delegates thus participate in decisions that are necessary for carrying out the business and legal affairs of MA World Services.

The Alternate Delegate becomes an official Voting Member if one of their District’s Delegates is unable to perform their duties. As such, Alternates should be prepared in the same way as the other District’s Delegates. It is helpful if Alternate Delegates attend the Conference in its entirety so they may be fully informed of how the Conference has proceeded. Should a Delegate be elected as a Trustee during the first Conference session, they are no longer eligible to represent their District as a Voting Member. At this point, the Alternate would be assigned the role of Delegate or the District would elect another Delegate.

Delegates should strive to place principles before personalities, adhering to the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts for Service. MA operates using the “Standing Rules” which are an abbreviated and modified set of rules based on Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised. Delegates should read and understand these Standing Rules. We will help prepare you to follow them. The Standing Rules will be discussed in brief during the Conference training sessions. Feel free to ask any questions during the training and the Conference. If you have any direct questions about these Rules email [email protected].

Preparing for the Conference

The Conference Agenda Committee hopes that this suggested guide will be helpful to ensure all tasks are achievable and can be done with ease.

~ 60 Days Prior:

  • District holds Delegate Elections
  • Delegates and Service Sponsors meet to:
    • Discuss the Delegate District Report, respond to requested questions, and take note of any matters that need to be brought to the attention of the District.
    • Share the Agenda Packet for District meetings to gather group conscience on Agenda Items.
  • Sign-up for Carry the Message to receive announcements: MA12.org/CTM 

~ 45 Days Prior:

  • Each meeting within the District can use the Agenda Packet to read each agenda item, discuss, and vote. 
    • Depending on the number of Agenda Items, reviewing them may take more than one session. We suggest reviewing 2-3 Items per week. We also suggest that prior to Session I the Agenda Items for both Sessions be reviewed, in case any Agenda Items scheduled for Session II are moved up to Session I.

~ 30 Days Prior:

  • Present the Delegate District Report at the DSC for approval
  • All Conference registrants are required to attend a Conference training session, unless they have previous experience attending the Conference virtually. (Training date(s) will be selected during registration.)
  • Complete the Attendee “Getting to Know You” survey 
    • Optional, yet very helpful to reference during the Third Legacy Procedure 
    • Any active campaigning will be removed at the discretion of the Conference Agenda Committee. 

Advice for During the Conference

Everyone who attends should be prepared to work in a cooperative and helpful manner. It is important to listen carefully, be open to fairness of debate, and respect differing opinions. For a group conscience to be fully informed, voting Members should review all the pertinent information and hear all viewpoints with a willing and open mind, listening to minority opinions, or why any members disagree with the motion. An informed group conscience is obtained by combining the knowledge gained during the Conference with information obtained during the District’s gathering of its group conscience.

Anyone who attends a substantial portion of the Conference and has the necessary sobriety requirement is eligible to be part of the Third Legacy elections to serve an initial term of two years on the Board of Trustees. Trustees and Alternate Trustees must have a minimum of two-years of sobriety, which means abstinence from marijuana, alcohol, and all other mind-altering substances (unless those other substances are taken as prescribed by a healthcare provider). Interested and eligible members are strongly encouraged to participate in the Third Legacy, regardless of their service or professional experiences. Passion and willingness are the most important factors in being a great trustee.

After the Conference and Throughout the Year

“…if there is no service, there is no program… It is our responsibility to do what we can to make sure that MA continues to be there for us, for the marijuana addict who still suffers, and for the addict who is not yet born.”  – Step Twelve, Life with Hope

In order to ensure members are kept informed, Delegates should prepare a summary report on the Conference after it is completed to present at the DSC, which the District should make available to all members through their GSRs.

Being a Delegate is a year-long service commitment, vital to ensuring communication between MA World Services, Districts, and members. As liaison between MA World Services and the District, throughout the remainder of their one-year term Delegates are expected to:

  • Announce service opportunities & open Special Worker positions

Delegate District Reports

Each District is to prepare and submit a written report in advance of the Conference. Delegates may find it helpful to review the District Reports from prior years. Reading reports from the various Districts will provide ideas about what you may want to include. 

Reports should include responses to the census type questions provided in the linked form, and with that a review of the preceding year’s efforts to carry the MA message, challenges, opportunities, and whatever else the members of the District feel that they want to share with the worldwide Fellowship. 

Please submit reports prior to the Conference, ideally by May 20th, at the latest submit by the end of Session I. Email questions to: [email protected]

To submit your Delegate Report, please use the form found on this page

Those who have previously attended the Conference are strongly encouraged to act as Service Sponsors to incoming Delegates, and as ambassadors for service to their District bringing awareness to opportunities at MA World Services.