ASA in the News
Geoffrey Marshall
Jeff Sessions Departs, Whitaker Steps in as Cannabis Industry Reacts - Americans for Safe Access
By Danny Reed for mg
“Attorney General Sessions was one of the last remaining prohibitionists in Washington,” David Mangone, attorney, and Director of Government Affairs Americans for Safe Access, a national group that advocates for cannabis research and the rights of patients. With “Sessions’ departure, we are closer than ever to changing outdated and misinformed federal policy when it comes to cannabis, particularly when it comes to recognizing the medical uses of the plant for a number of debilitating conditions,” - David Mangone
Geoffrey Marshall
Election could dictate future of medical cannabis, advocate says - Americans for Safe Access
By Manny Cruz for the Pacific Daily News
"The pharmaceutical industry has failed us. Marijuana isn't killing people, opioids are killing people. If you're looking at the future of medical cannabis on Guam and you're not part of it—it's not going to happen. Stay frustrated, and do something about it."- Steph Sherer
Heather Despres
Why Third-Party Certification is Important - Americans for Safe Access
By Heather Despres and Debbie Churgai for Terpenes and Testing Magazine
Every day, we are bombarded with advertisements from cannabis companies declaring they provide the highest quality products and services, but who, if anyone, outside the company is determining these factors? This is where third-party certification programs can offer some validity to what a company is declaring. Third-party certification programs are able to provide an unbiased examination of the quality of a company’s cannabis products and services. This can be incredibly important in today’s market, where manufacturers and distributors can use advertisements for their products that often describe them as being “high quality” and “the best of the best”.
Without such safety precautions, the industry could quickly become overrun with false advertising, which would make it difficult for a consumer to receive reliable information when making a decision about their medicine. Particularly for immunocompromised patients, the safety and accuracy of the medicine they are taking is of utmost importance;however, this is true for anyone consuming cannabis.
Geoffrey Marshall
Marijuana cultivation law brings up old, new concerns for Guam - Americans for Safe Access
By Haidee V Eugenio for Pacific Daily News
A new law allowing qualified patients and caregivers to grow cannabis at home brings up old and new concerns about Guam’s medical marijuana program, including a lack of funding to monitor the home program, an absence of legal guidance for doctors, and where to get the seeds.
Geoffrey Marshall
North Dakotans Can Now Apply for Medical Marijuana Cards - Americans for Safe Access
By Blake Nicholson for the Associated Press via U.S. News and World Report
The Health Department has endured some criticism over the amount of time it is taking to make the drug available, though the timeline isn't unusual when compared to other states with the drug, according to the advocacy group Americans for Safe Access.
Geoffrey Marshall
Americans for Safe Access to Keynote Guam's Third Medical Cannabis Workshop, "Cultivating Change" - Americans for Safe Access
Jenevieve Ooka for PR Newswire via Markets Insider
"Having worked closely with Americans For Safe Access in the past, I know what they can do to assist stalled programs and get the necessary resources to regulators," said Nic Easley. "Steph established the Patient Focused Certification program for exactly this purpose. Everyone on Guam can hear for themselves that this years-long delay is not insurmountable."
Geoffrey Marshall
In New York, a bill to get public health plans to cover medical marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
By Bethany Bump for the Times Union
"Access to medical marijuana should not be limited to those who can pay out of pocket," the bill memo says.
There are currently 77,619 patients certified to participate in New York's medical marijuana program, according to the program's website.
New York earned low scores for its medical marijuana program, especially on access and functionality, from Americans for Safe Access, a medical cannabis advocacy organization that grades states based on the ability of patients to access the medicine, among other things.
Geoffrey Marshall
Ricki Lake on “Weed the People”: “It’s not about getting high, it’s about children dying of cancer” - Americans for Safe Access
By Gary M. Kramer for Salon
We met with cannabis makers, dispensaries, and through doing the film we went to ASA, the Americans for Safe Access Conference, in DC, and we met Dr. Donald Abrams and Dr. Sunil Aggarwal. We had great luck with these amazing people who are so knowledgeable about the plant. They’d lead us to others. - Ricki Lake
Geoffrey Marshall
First medical marijuana dispensary sets to open in Hagerstown - Americans for Safe Access
By Marcus Dash for Local DVM
"We've partnered up with Americans for safe access to help provide more information and documentation to our patients and we are really focused on becoming a positive impact for the community." - Sean Scranton, Maryland Health and Wellness Center
Geoffrey Marshall
The Resistance: San Diego Style (Part 1) - Americans for Safe Access
By A.J. Herrington for the Candid Chronicle
Terrie Best, the current Chair of the San Diego chapter of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), organized the Bonnie Bash. ASA is a national organization working to ensure access to safe and legal medicinal marijuana. The group has a reputation for creative protest and demonstrations that approach the level of street art.
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