“The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using marijuana.” – MA Third Tradition
Learn more about why District 12 chose to bring forth the motion for a fellowship-wide vote in the motion contextual statement: Marijuana-Anonymous.org/Vote
The MA Service Manual explains the, “Procedure for Approval of Changes in the Language of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties.”
“Should a conference motion pass which seeks to change the text of the Steps, Traditions, and/or General Warranties, the written consent of three-quarters of all groups, as required by the Conference Charter, shall be obtained as follows: The proposed change shall be sent to all meetings registered with World Services and, after no less than 6 months, those ballots returned shall be counted. A yes vote of three-quarters of the returned ballots shall be sufficient to meet the requirement of the Conference Charter to implement the proposed change(s).” – Service Manual version 7.1 page 62
This section of the Service Manual does not have any further information regarding voter requirements. Based upon the Third Tradition, any person with a desire to quit marijuana is a member of MA.
According to the MA Fourth Tradition, meetings are autonomous. If a meeting has an established way of obtaining its group conscience, including eligibility requirements, the group/meeting may continue to use any process that functions for the group conscience.
Whether they’re a newcomer who is attending that meeting for the first time, or they are not a regular attendee of that meeting and attending as a visitor, the group should consider that this individual is an equal member of the fellowship and it is important to hear from all of our member’s voices. We ask that you remember Tradition Five, “each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the marijuana addict who still suffers.”
The newcomer is often the most important person in the room.