MA's Service Structure

The Inverted Pyramid

The Service Structure of Marijuana Anonymous is described as an inverted pyramid which includes three levels. Members, Meetings, and Groups make up the broad base at the top of the pyramid. The middle level consists of Districts and Regions. The tip, or the smallest portion of the pyramid at the bottom, represents MA World Services, which includes Delegates, Committees, A New Leaf Publications, Special Workers, and the Board of Directors/Trustees.

Recovery, unity, and service are the pillars of our program. There are various methods of communication between the different service levels. Frequent, healthy communication and cooperation between all levels of service is vital to the unity of MA.

Meetings/Groups

The meeting or group is the primary structure in MA and consists of two or more marijuana addicts who meet on a regular basis. Each meeting is autonomous; however, compliance with each of the Twelve Traditions is vital for all meetings.

Hosting regular business meetings is vital for groups to survive and grow. The health of a meeting and its ability to carry the message is contingent on attendees becoming participating members through regular rotation of service. The minimum Service Structure of the group consists of a secretary or chairperson and treasurer. The service duties may differ depending on the meeting venue (online, phone, or in-person). If the group is affiliated with a district, then a group service representative (GSR) is also needed to serve as liaison between the meeting and the district. The Seventh Concept for Service reminds us, “the scope of responsibility and authority of every service position should be well defined to ensure accountability of all service positions as well as the ability to perform each position.”

Districts

A district or region is a service body containing a number of groups. Generally limited by some type of boundaries, districts can be geographical, virtual, or otherwise self-defined. The main difference between a district and region is that “districts” have been officially recognized (inducted) by the MA World Service Conference and are invited to send representatives (Delegates) to each year’s business Conference to vote on important matters affecting MA as a whole. Before becoming an official district, these collections of groups operate as a “region.”

The Second Concept for Service states, “the ultimate authority and responsibility for service in Marijuana Anonymous is the collective conscience of the groups.” The primary way a district serves its meetings and groups is by uniting them. Districts provide assistance to meetings in need of support and as a result, the groups are healthier. With this strengthened community, there are more service opportunities for local members and ultimately it creates the fellowship we crave in connecting with other addicts.

As each meeting is autonomous, so is each district, except in matters that affect MA as a whole. Districts meet periodically, usually once a month. This business meeting is called the District Service Committee (DSC) and is open to all MA members. Subcommittee reports are given with updates on projects and initiatives are discussed. It is vital that all group service representatives be present at these DSC meetings as liaisons between the group and the district.

Districts elect two Delegates and an Alternate Delegate to represent their district as liaisons to World Services. Delegates attend the MA World Service Conference participating in decisions and voting on policies affecting MA as a whole. Delegates have an important responsibility during discussions to report the collective group conscience of the district which they represent and to vote as a Member of the Conference Body using their own independent judgment as a delegated trusted servant.

World Services

Marijuana Anonymous World Services exists to support the rest of the fellowship and serve the districts, meetings/groups, and members. MA World Services is primarily comprised of volunteer members and carries out the necessary business and legal affairs of Marijuana Anonymous as a whole. MA also employs paid professionals, known as Special Workers, who provide their specialty skills to support Trustees and the rest of the Service Structure.

The MA World Service Conference is the forum where we conduct the official business meeting(s) of the Members that allow Marijuana Anonymous to exist and continue as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, as required per our Bylaws. During the Conference, members from around the world gather to discuss matters which affect Marijuana Anonymous as a whole and come to group conscience decisions as we consider how best to move forward as a community, including the election of Trustees.

As the Directors and Officers of MA World Services, each Trustee is assigned to a particular role (President, Secretary, Treasurer, Literature, Public Information, Policies & Procedures, etc.) and traditionally serves as Chairperson for the associated World Service Committee. All MA members are invited and encouraged to participate in any number of Committees. MA World Services Committees serve as an example for how to conduct subcommittees at the District-level. For more information see Committee Handbooks: MA12.org/Library

A New Leaf Publications (ANLP) is the publishing department of MA and is responsible for MA literature after its creation. As a DBA or “doing business as” of MA World Services, ANLP keeps the spiritual message of recovery separate from financial and property concerns. The department oversees and administers the publication, distribution, and business of MA literature for the purpose of carrying the message of recovery and service to the community of MA and to outside entities. A New Leaf Publications also curates and distributes MA’s monthly creative publication. A New Leaf celebrates MA members’ creativity and seeks to share the message of hope in recovery through the many creative submissions by our community—unifying us in our shared experiences as marijuana / cannabis addicts.

Goal for Service Structure: Fulfilling Our Primary Purpose

The pyramid is inverted because the individual members, meetings, and groups are the largest and most vital part of the community of MA. Without recovering addicts, there would be no need for meetings; without meetings there would be no need for districts; without districts, no need for World Services. This point cannot be stressed enough. The MA Service Structure exists entirely to serve the meetings, groups, members, and those who have not yet found MA.

The group service representatives (GSRs), delegates, committee members, trustees, and special workers are all trusted servants. They do not govern. Each individual serves at the direction and desire of the MA community, with only a loving Higher Power as the ultimate authority. All service positions at any level should be accepted with the desire to serve the fellowship.

The MA Service Manual is an invaluable tool for all MA members in service positions along with the other MA Service Materials.