ASA in the News
Geoffrey Marshall
WSU College of Medicine eyes more instruction on medical cannabis as study suggests doctors reluctant to talk about it - Americans for Safe Access
By Kip Hill for The Spokesman-Review
Washington’s requirement of any type of instruction for its consultants sets it apart from other states that have legalized medicinal cannabis, said Debbie Churgai, interim director of the national group Americans for Safe Access that pushes for reforms to increase clinical access to the drug.
“Most states don’t have required education for doctors, or patients, or anyone that works in a dispensary,” Churgai said. “For Washington state to have that requirement is amazing.”
Geoffrey Marshall
It's Easier To Buy CBD In Kansas Than To Know For Sure What's In It Or What It's Good For - Americans for Safe Access
By Celia Llopis-Jepsen for KCUR 89.3
“Honestly, I’m scared for people,” said Lisa Sublett, of medical cannabis proponents Bleeding Kansas Advocates. “I don’t trust the stuff at your gas station, sorry. You really have no idea what’s in the bottle.”
She recommends consulting The Patient’s Guide to CBD, a 50-page primer from Americans For Safe Access that explains labels, lab analyses and more.
Geoffrey Marshall
Medical marijuana users will get dibs if supply wanes, but evidence from other states indicates some may turn to recreational pot once it is legal in Illinois - Americans for Safe Access
By Jamie Munks for the Chicago Tribune
“Anybody who’s really suffering should not be prohibited access to this product.” - David Mangone
Meredith Cohn
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy to offer medical cannabis education - Americans for Safe Access
By Meredith Cohn for the Baltimore Sun
Debbie Churgai, interim director for Americans for Safe Access, said she did not know what changed or why the university did not approach the group again.
The group continues to offer its own courses that focus on how to operate legally and based on what’s known about the science, she said. Churgai said her group initially approached Maryland and persuaded it of the need for well-crafted and standardized training. Maryland could lend credibility and reach far more students, she said.
“We applaud Maryland for finally doing it,” Churgai said about the training. “It would have been nice if they gave us some credit.”
Kyle Jaeger
Congressman Withdraws Veterans Marijuana Measure Amid VA Opposition - Americans for Safe Access
By Kyle Jaeger via Marijuana Moment
“After the momentum of this week between House hearings on cannabis small business access to capital, a [House Veterans’ Affairs Committee] hearing on medical cannabis research, and a historic victory in the House with the Blumenauer CJS amendment, it is incredibly frustrating to see the Congressman withdraw an amendment that would provide medical cannabis access to veterans,” - David Mangone
Geoffrey Marshall
As FDA Grapples With CBD Dosing, Definitions, ASA Issues Patient Guide - Americans for Safe Access
By Beth Wang for InsideHealthPolicy
Just days after FDA held a 10-hour meeting to discuss the science and regulation of cannabis-based products, Americans for Safe Access issued a resource guide for patients, health care providers, consumers and anyone interested in learning more about cannabidiol (CBD). The guide defines key terminology – including broad spectrum, full spectrum and isolate -- and discusses issues with dosing, two major issues on which FDA officials asked multiple stakeholders to submit more detailed information.
Geoffrey Marshall
AP analysis: Medical pot takes hit when weed legal for all - Americans for Safe Access
By Billian Flaccus and Angeliki Kastanis for the Associated Press via Yahoo! Finance
"Some of the products that these patients have relied on for consistency — and have used over and over for years — are disappearing off the shelves to market products that have a wider appeal." - David Mangone
Geoffrey Marshall
Americans For Safe Access Releases CBD Guide For Patients - Americans for Safe Access
By Benjie Cooper for the Candid Chronicle
There are many cannabidiol (CBD) products that are readily available in legal markets in 2019, but there are also many differences of opinion regarding how CBD works, what it is useful for, how to use it, and how much to take.
The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill and the FDA’s newfound quest to establish a regulatory system for cannabinoids have also helped contribute to the confusion regarding what is and is not currently legal.
As part of an ongoing effort to help educate the public and provide accurate information about cannabis, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) has released the Patient’s Guide to CBD, which takes an in-depth look at CBD and the current science and culture surrounding it.
The 25-page guide provides information about the endocannabinoid system, CBD’s chemical structure, which forms are available for use, current research, discussing cannabinoids with a physician, and other related topics.
Geoffrey Marshall
Hundreds of pounds of Ohio medical marijuana won't make it to dispensary shelves. Here's why. - Americans for Safe Access
By Jackie Borchardt for the Cincinnati Enquirer
"You didn’t always know what you were getting. The vast majority of people will not get a test done until they are told to get a test done." - Heather Despres
Geoffrey Marshall
Is Medical Cannabis Losing Out as Recreational Use Rises? - Americans for Safe Access
By Georgia Williams for Cannabis Investing News
With the news cycle currently dominated by reports of various countries legalizing recreational marijuana, it’s easy to forget that that road to legalization has been in the works for decades.
Much of the reason countries like Canada have legalized cannabis today stems from the activism, work and longstanding diligence of medical cannabis advocates — people like Steph Sherer, who has spent 20 years speaking about the positive effects of medicinal cannabis.
At the Collision Conference in Toronto, the Investing News Network sat down with Sherer, who is president of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), president and co-founder of the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI) and co-founder of Dioscorides Global Holdings (DGH).
She discussed the long path to medical cannabis legalization in America, how the prevalence of recreational marijuana has affected her advocacy work and her work at DGH, a private equity firm.
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