By Len Besthoff for NBC Connecticut
It’s been 10 years since medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut. In that time, the state has been helping patients get the medicine they need. But advocates also say Connecticut can still do better.
Since 2014, the organization Americans for Safe Access has graded states on whether their laws provide safe and legal access to medical marijuana users.
In its most recent report, ASA gave Connecticut a C grade based on the laws in effect as of Dec. 31, 2021. And no, C doesn’t stand for cannabis.
By Ben Hartman for Benzinga
“Recreational cannabis and medical cannabis are separate, and medical cannabis patients have specific needs and legal protections that need to be preserved. Unfortunately, in some states that passed recreational cannabis, we've seen that they either merged the two programs or sort of did away with medical altogether, to the detriment of patients.” - Abbey Roudebush
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By Keisha Reed for the Inside The Ecosystem podcast
"Anyone that's a fan of Americans for Safe Access, I definitely encourage you to check out their Unity Conference in D.C.. They have not been able to have it for a few years. Obviously in the same boat as many of us but it is very advocacy and medical driven."
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"We can have adult-use or at least decriminalization and de-scheduling on that side but also have a medical program because there are always going to be sick... we talked about cancer patients, epilepsy, autism. So Americans for safe access is advocating for medical access for patients and I think that is so important because there is a not a lot of lobbying being done in D.C. right now other than them and a couple other groups that are really pushing for medical."
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"So I always say that we've got to honor and respect the patients that came before the industry because we would not have an industry, medical or adult-use, without that advocacy and those patients. So for me, like I said, I think it's really important to support groups like Americans for Safe Access because they are pushing for patients." -Josh Crossney, founder, Cannabis Science Conference
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By David Downs for Leafly
Thousands and thousands of California workers unjustly denied jobs or fired for unscientific marijuana tests could get new protections this Labor Day.
Assembly Bill 2188 passed out of the legislature on Aug. 30 and heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for either signature or veto. If he signs the bill, workers’ rights takes a huge step forward across America.
By Jimi Devine for LA Weekly
The fight to protect off-the-job cannabis use in California continues with AB 2188.
The CA Senate Appropriation Committee sent the bill to the suspense file earlier this month. This can be scary news for advocates of any cause. The League of California Cities calls suspense files as a mechanism for reviewing financially significant bills before they reach the Assembly or Senate floor.
By Joana Scopel for Benzinga
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is a large and well-established nonprofit with a long list of historical policy changes under its belt. Not only do they advocate for the rights of medical cannabis patients at the federal and state level, but they also built the world’s first International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute. They support medical professionals and patients by offering accredited education programs, as well.
ASA arose to support safe, legal access to cannabis for both research and therapy. Founded in 2002 by marijuana patient Steph Sherer as an advocacy vehicle for other patients, ASA has since grown to include over 150,000 active supporters in all 50 states, including medical professionals, scientists, and everyday stoners.
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By Tom Wanamaker for NY Cannabis Insider
“A lot of patients want home-grow because it’s a much more economical way of medicating,” [Nikki] Lawley said, adding that the delay in finalizing the rules “forces more patients into the legacy market.”
By Brianna Wheeler for Wilamette Week
Consider supporting these groups the next time you have a little extra money in your weed budget.
By Apoorvaa Mandar Bichu for EducationWeek
“There are other policies in some places where schools allow parents to come to the school and they have to take the students out of school and off campus to administer their medication. And that is detrimental to students, because they end up missing more school and instruction time everyday to be able to take their medication, and it’s also a big burden on the parents and caregivers as well.” - Abbey Roudebush
By Meg McIntyre for Heady Vermont
As adult-use consumers and businesses gear up for the debut of Vermont’s retail market, medical patients and caregivers say they are still waiting for much-needed fixes to a program that has seen little substantial reform in at least a decade.
In March, the state’s medical program received a D rating from Americans for Safe Access, a nonprofit that represents cannabis patients, doctors and researchers.
