ASA in the News
Geoffrey Marshall
Medical Patients Will Benefit from Montana’s ‘Untethering’ of Program, According to Dispensary Managers, Advocacy Groups - Americans for Safe Access
By Melissa Schiller and Patrick Williams for the Cannabis Business Times
“Americans for Safe Access applauds the new untethering law. Having access to multiple dispensaries means more access for patients traveling within the state and more options in terms of products. The quality and price points of cannabis products can vary from dispensary to dispensary, so this new law will allow patients to shop around for the best prices and the best selection of products.” - Debbie Churgai
Hilary Corrigan
Cannabis World to DEA: Stop Delaying MED Research - Americans for Safe Access
By Hilary Corrigan for WeedWeek
Cannabis nonprofit Americans for Safe Access called for creating a new agency—the Office of Medical Cannabis Control—to oversee research program requirements and to set standards. This would potentially allow state-licensed cultivators to provide researchers with high quality cannabis. Unlike DEA, Safe Access noted, the proposed agency would have no history of prosecuting the activities DEA seeks to oversee.
Geoffrey Marshall
'Illegal To Essential': How The Coronavirus Is Boosting The Legal Cannabis Industry - Americans for Safe Access
By Brakkton Booker for National Public Radio
Cannabis advocates argue that marijuana — which some people take for seizures, pain and nausea — is unlike virtually any other therapeutic. And access to it, whether prescribed by a doctor or not, depends largely on where you live.
"This epidemic and the way the cannabis businesses are being run really highlights the need for federal oversight," said Debbie Churgai of Americans for Safe Access, which advocates for broader access to medical marijuana for therapy and research. "Every state is doing it a different way."
Geoffrey Marshall
Majority Of Americans Agree: Pot Shops Are Essential - Americans for Safe Access
By A.J. Herrington for High Times
“We applaud these efforts at the state level and are honored to serve governments and medical cannabis stakeholders on behalf of patients.” - Steph Sherer
Geoffrey Marshall
As medical marijuana dispensaries change procedures amid coronavirus panic buying, Maryland shop owners fear supply chain shortage - Americans for Safe Access
By Taylor Deville for the Baltimore Sun
“What this points out is why federal oversight is really needed. Even in this crisis, it shows we really do need something that gives medical cannabis patients consistent access to their ... medicine.”
-Debbie Churgai
Geoffrey Marshall
Coronavirus: Pro Cannabis Organization Says Dispensaries Are Essential, Pushes For Curbside Pickup - Americans for Safe Access
From CBS Local DFW 21
WASHINGTON, DC (CBSDFW.COM) – One of the nation’s largest medical cannabis patient advocacy organizations, Americans for Safe Access is calling on the government to consider cannabis businesses and dispensaries “essential” during COVID-19-related closings.
Geoffrey Marshall
Cannabis Advocates Call On Governors to Protect Patients During Coronavirus - Americans for Safe Access
By Graham Abbott for Ganjapreneur
In a letter addressed to governors and medical cannabis program directors throughout the country, Americans for Safe Access has called on officials to protect cannabis patients during the alarming spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus.
Geoffrey Marshall
San Francisco Pot Shops Deemed Essential Businesses, Reopen Amid Outbreak - Americans for Safe Access
By A.J. Herrington for High Times
“In light of the current state of COVID-19 and the CDC’s actions, Americans for Safe Access has been monitoring the situation to make sure that medical cannabis patients are not forgotten. We want to ensure that dispensaries are seen as essential businesses that will remain open for patients. We applaud states that have already put emergency precautions into action.” - Steph Sherer
Geoffrey Marshall
Medical marijuana card not recognized in public housing - Americans for Safe Access
By Tom Gaser for NNY360
“It is time our federal government steps up to provide relief so that patients everywhere can medicate without fear of losing any of their civil rights and protections, including while in federal housing or healthcare settings, such as hospices,” - Debbie Churgai
Geoffrey Marshall
States turn to unenforced federal law to slow medical marijuana legalization - Americans for Safe Access
By Emily Kopp for Roll Call
The patients and providers who cultivate, process and dispense the cannabis these patients rely on in these states for the treatment of debilitating illness do not have to fear federal charges as long as they are in compliance with state law, says Sean Khalepari, regulatory affairs coordinator for the pro-medical marijuana group Americans for Safe Access.
State Advocacy Resources
