ASA in the News
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.
Geoffrey Marshall
Berner’s new Detroit Cookies store shows that despite the emphasis on recreational marijuana, medical marijuana is still a big deal - Americans for Safe Access
By Larry Gabriel for the Detroit Metro Times
And there's still plenty of opportunity to bend your lawmakers' ears about medical marijuana. The Americans for Safe Access National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference 2020 takes place March 25-28 in Washington, D.C. Check out their website for more information.
Geoffrey Marshall
Geoffrey Marshall
Medical marijuana takes center stage as briefs are released in PA Supreme Court case - Americans for Safe Access
By Jamie Bittner for Fox 43
LEBANON COUNTY -- Briefs are due to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today in a case that will decide if people on probation will or will not be allowed to use medical marijuana in Lebanon County.
The State Supreme Court is ready to hear a challenge brought by the ACLU on behalf of 3 people against the 52nd Judicial District of Lebanon County. The challenge concerns a policy (which is now on hold) that blocks people on probation from using medical marijuana even if they have a card. The policy was put in place by President Judge John Tylwalk. The ACLU filed the suit on behalf of Melissa Gass, Ashely Bennett and Andrew Koch.
In its court briefing, the ACLU included the following:
- A request that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania rule that the policy contradicts the commonwealth’s Medical Marijuana Act and to permanently end its enforcement
- An amicus brief (friend-of-the-court brief) written by the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, the Association of Cannabis Specialists, the Drug Policy Alliance, and Americans for Safe Access Foundation, represented by attorneys Tom Wilkinson and Abby Sacunas of the law firm Cozen O’Connor
Geoffrey Marshall
How to Travel With Medical Marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
By Jonathan Wolfe for The New York Times
“We tell patients to bring their doctor recommendation with them, just in case law enforcement stops them. We also tell them to keep their medical recommendation and their medical I.D. card with them, and know their physician’s number and maybe their lawyer’s number — just in case.” - Debbie Churgai
Geoffrey Marshall
What does it feel like to be high on marijuana? - Americans for Safe Access
Written by Jenna Fletcher and Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT on December 10, 2019 for Medical News Today
Generally, there are minimal side effects when using marijuana to get high. According to Americans for Safe Access, a person would need to smoke the equivalent of 1,500 pounds of marijuana in 15 minutes to overdose. However, this is untested and more or less impossible.
Geoffrey Marshall
Biden’s wariness on marijuana puts another target on his back - Americans for Safe Access
By Mona Zhang for Politico
“Although Schedule II might not be a perfect solution, anything is better than where it is now in Schedule I,” said Steph Sherer, president of medical marijuana advocacy organization Americans for Safe Access. While the group would certainly like to see marijuana removed from the Controlled Substances Act, its stance is that rescheduling is the more realistic option, politically.
Geoffrey Marshall
Bills could offer marijuana break for veterans - Americans for Safe Access
By Billy Cox for Sarasota Herald-Tribune
“Some states do not include a cost for the medical cannabis card at all (NM). IL offers veterans a discounted cost, OR offers a veteran discount that reduces the fee to $20, and there are a few other states that offer need-based discounts. So it is possible FL may be the first to charge a registration fee but offer a free application to vets.”
- Debbie Churgai
Geoffrey Marshall
Gifting cannabis to the terminally ill becomes tax-exempt in California - Americans for Safe Access
By David Downs for Leafly
“Allowing licensed retailers to donate medical cannabis is a logical and compassionate reform that will make a life-changing difference for patients in need.”
- Sean Khalepari
State Advocacy Resources
