ASA in the News

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

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.

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.

Matthew Carr for Cannabiz Now! via Profit Trends

By Jamie Bittner for Fox 43

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

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

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.

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.

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