ASA in the News
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Medical Marijuana Prohibition - Americans for Safe Access
Kenneth Michael White, OP/ED, opinioneditorials.com
Since California first did it in 1996, several other States have decriminalized medical marijuana, even though the Federal Government considers all marijuana to be contraband. Despite the constant threat of Federal criminal sanction, there are thousands of people in the United States who use marijuana for medical purposes. Did these people come to their decision to use medical marijuana in accordance with the teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Marijuana collective sues Butte County officials - Americans for Safe Access
Ryan Olson, Chico Enterprise Record
A group of seven people qualified for medicinal marijuana are suing Butte County officials after a sheriff's deputy ordered the destruction of nearly all their plants.The Oakland-based Americans for Safe Access is filing a lawsuit in Butte County Superior Court on behalf of David Williams and six other plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleges Butte County officials violated the law by refusing to recognize their established collective.
County will issue pot cards - Americans for Safe Access
Tim Morancan, Modesto Bee
Stanislaus County residents will be able to get county-issued medical marijuana identification cards in the future.But they won't be able to buy the drug legally here, if county Board of Supervisors Chairman Ray Simon has anything to do with it.
San Pablo extends moratorium on cannabis clubs - Americans for Safe Access
Tom Lochner, Contra Costa Times
The San Pablo City Council on Monday extended for a second year a moratorium on the opening of medical marijuana dispensaries, or cannabis clubs. But the council signaled it does not want the issue to drag on for much longer, ordering the city staff to schedule a study session on the matter within a "reasonable" period.
Inter-Agency Advisory Regarding Claims That Smoked Marijuana Is a Medicine - Americans for Safe Access
, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Claims have been advanced asserting smoked marijuana has a value in treating various medical conditions. Some have argued that herbal marijuana is a safe and effective medication and that it should be made available to people who suffer from a number of ailments upon a doctor's recommendation, even though it is not an approved drug.
Turlock Council approves ban on medical marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
Abby Souza, Turlock Journal (CA)
Don't expect to buy any pot for medicinal uses from any store in Turlock for the next 45 days.
Legal pot use can make jobs go up in smoke - Americans for Safe Access
Kimberly Trone, Press-Enterprise
Donna Dixon found out the hard way that a state law allowing her to use marijuana for glaucoma didn't keep her from getting fired from a casino job after a positive drug test.
Medical Marijuana, American Federalism, and the Supreme Court - Americans for Safe Access
Lawrence O. Gostin, JD, LLD (Hon), Journal of the American Medical Association
In Gonzalez v Raich, the US Supreme Court held that federal law enforcement authorities could criminally prosecute patients for possessing marijuana prescribed by a physician in accordance with state law.1 The Court did not overturn state medical marijuana laws but did open the door to criminal prosecution under federal drug statutes. The Court also did not foreclose future challenges to federal enforcement on other constitutional grounds (eg, an unwarranted invasion of patient-physician privacy).
Probation or Prohibition? - Americans for Safe Access
Josh Indar, Chico News & Review
A Butte County medical marijuana patient who is on probation for domestic violence is hoping she won't be made an example of, as she fears county prosecutors are gearing up to "take [her] to war" over her use of medical cannabis.
Migraine sufferer finds relief from marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
Shirley Hsu, San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Not a week goes by that Julie Garcia doesn't get a migraine.It's not the type of headache you can take two aspirin for, or draw a hot bath and wait it out.
It's a splitting, unrelenting pain that lasts hours and renders her unproductive for an entire day.
'It's just pounding and pounding ... It's awful. It's really awful,' said Garcia, 36, who's been getting the migraines since she was a teen.
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