Starting an early career at 19 years old in 2014 to December 2015 as Manager and Lead Lobbyist for Californians for Responsible Government (501 c) in Legislative Affairs, framework building and structuring of policy for issues including, tax reduction, environmental sustainability, water, zoning and land use as well as local outreach to officials, department agencies and staff in cities such Upland, Claremont, San Bernardino, Santa Ana and Los Angeles. Since joining the California Cannabis Coalition in 2015 as the Corporate Secretary, has successfully led nearly half of the Coalition’s victories in the institution of regulatory framework such as the Medical Marijuana Regulation & Safety Act and 13 citizens initiatives and referendums to overturn bans in local municipalities. From March 2016 - June 2016, was recruited to Direct Democracy Unlimited, the country’s biggest petition firm, leading the groundbreaking revival of the 2016 General Ballot Election Season as the firm was two and a half months behind 2 months into largest petition season in 25 years putting the firm one month ahead of the deadline in two months. Under his lead Mr. Bacchas helped coordinate, direct and manage signature collection, validation, batching and procurement to clients of qualifying voter signatures for all 15 Statewide General Ballot Initiatives in 2016 (7,965,736 signatures in total) including Prop 64.
In his spare time, Ryan Bacchas has successfully led lobbying campaigns, including securing SBA Payment Protection Program status for a FinCENN client during the first month of the nationwide Stay-at-Home Orders. He coordinated support from over three dozen senators, advised congressional representatives, the U.S. Treasury, and officials from the Trump Administration, and worked with state and local leaders on issues like homelessness, affordable housing, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. He also collaborated with public benefit groups, such as the American Legion and Oakland Raiders Project, to organize community events for families in need. Bacchas has consistently worked for his home state, contributing to Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 disaster response, including creating the State-Owned Hotel program for displaced individuals, renters’ relief, waived utilities, and drafting the framework for the California Stimulus Program. That same year he helped secure $50 million in small business grants, advocated for the “Essential” designation for recreational cannabis, and reinforced California’s climate change goals under Schwarzenegger’s Executive Order S-3-05. He has also been involved in drafting legislative frameworks for the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act, the States Reform Act, and rescheduling cannabis for prescription use. His work with the California Department of Health saved the Youth Athletics program in 2021, and he played a key role in allocating 40% of vaccines to underserved communities, while contributing to the Vaccinate All 58 campaign. Mid-2021 saw Bacchas facilitating social equity approvals for cannabis retail in Los Angeles and laying the groundwork for the #CleanUp California initiative and Golden State Stimulus checks. Later in the year, he led media and outreach efforts opposing the gubernatorial recall, focusing on underserved communities, which contributed to a landslide victory for Governor Newsom.
