Blog Voices from the Frontlines
Geoffrey Marshall
Colorado Senator fires back on DOJ pot policy change - Americans for Safe Access
By Kellie Meyer for GrayDC
“Many providers of cannabis products grow for both medical and recreational so it would be very difficult to for the DOJ to crack down without affecting patients," - Beth Collins
Geoffrey Marshall
Trump administration targets recreational pot, placing thousands of marijuana businesses in California at risk - Americans for Safe Access
By Evan Halper, Joseph Tanfani and Patrick McGreevy for the Los Angeles Times
Sarah Armstrong, director of industry affairs for Americans for Safe Access, which advocates for legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research, said the Justice Department announcement was “really very upsetting and scary for patients who don't know, when they walk in the door, if there's going to be a raid.”
Even a crackdown solely on recreational marijuana could jeopardize medical users, Armstrong said, because many dispensaries will be serving both patients and other customers.
Beth Collins
Sessions’ Actions Against Cole Memo Triggers Call to Action from Medical Cannabis Advocates - Americans for Safe Access
Still Protected by the CJS Amendment, Patients Prepare for A Return to Pre-Cole World
Washington D.C. — As first reported by the Associated Press, Attorney General Jeff Sessions is planning on rescinding the 2013 memo created by then Deputy Attorney General James Cole. The Cole Memorandum highlighted eight priorities when it came to the federal enforcement of medical and recreational cannabis laws including preventing the distribution of marijuana to minors and preventing diversion.
A recission of the Cole Memorandum, which deprioritized prosecution of marijuana-related cases allows U.S. Attorneys to use discretion in the cases they prosecute. Sessions, an ardent critic of all forms of marijuana has repeatedly called on Congress to not extend the Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Budget Amendment that provides protections to medical cannabis providers and individuals complying with state law by blocking Department of Justice funds.
“The Attorney General’s decision to rescind the Cole Memo shows his true intentions on cannabis ” said Steph Sherer, Executive Director for Americans for Safe Access.“While the Cole Memo was not perfect, it created a workable framework for states to regulate cannabis. States work within the Cole Memo, not against it. However, it is important to remember that this memo is not what provides protection to patients and providers. They are protected by the CJS Medical Marijuana amendment and it is more important than ever for Congress to renew these protections in the FY2018 Budget.”
William Dolphin
ASA Activist Newsletter - December 2017 - Americans for Safe Access
In the December 2017 Issue:
- Veterans Administration Loosens Cannabis Policy
- Federal Protections for Patients Extended to Jan. 19
- ASA Releases State Policy Blueprint for Medical Cannabis
- WHO Initial Report Says CBD Needs No Restrictions
- PFC Trainings and Talks Span the U.S. in December
- Activist Profile: Amy Catterton, North Carolina
- ACTION ALERT: Save Federal Patient Protections!
Geoffrey Marshall
V.A. Releases New Policy on Medical Marijuana - Americans for Safe Access
By Danny Reed for mg Magazine
“This change in policy is a victory for veterans because it encourages open and honest conversations between V.A. doctors and veterans about cannabis use. The men and women who put their lives on the line for our country deserve the best care and a wide variety of treatments, including medical cannabis to help them recover from the injuries of war. With veterans suffering from PTSD, chronic pain, and a variety of other ailments, cannabis cannot be left out of the discussion as a safe and effective treatment." -Steph Sherer
David Mangone
Victory for Veterans as VA Changes Policy on Medical Cannabis - Americans for Safe Access
Washington D.C. — On December 8, 2017, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) quietly updated their policy in regards to VA doctors having discussions with veterans about medical cannabis, and clarified VA policy regarding access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) clinical programs for veterans participating in state approved medical cannabis programs. VHA Directive 2017-1315 replaces an existing directive issued by the VA in 2011 (VHA 2011-004). The 2011 directive technically expired in 2016, but as no new policy had been put in place, VHA 2011-004 remained department policy until the new directive was issued. Most significantly, the new directive emphasizes “[v]eterans must not be denied VHA services solely because they are participating in state-approved marijuana programs.”
David Mangone
The Second Amendment and Medical Cannabis Patients - Americans for Safe Access
In a 1755 letter to the Pennsylvania General Assembly Ben Franklin wrote “those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." However, while its original context, which related to tax policy, may not apply, the words lend themselves to a conversation that lawmakers should be having. How should our country address liberty, but also safety, when it comes to firearms and cannabis?
David Mangone
Safe for Now (But Not For Long) - Americans for Safe Access
Yesterday afternoon, both the House of Representatives and the Senate voted on H.J. Res. 123, a Continuing Resolution that keeps the Government open through December 22, 2017. President Trump signed it into law this morning. H.J. Res 123 continues to fund the Federal Government at existing levels and includes all policy provisions as the previous budget. This includes the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment which is the only thing protecting medical cannabis patients from federal interference and prosecution.
Beth Collins
Improving Medical Cannabis Programs Will Combat Opioid Crisis - Americans for Safe Access
Americans for Safe Access Releases a Blueprint for State Policy
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Americans for Safe Access released “Medical Cannabis as a Tool to Combat Pain and the Opioid Crisis: A Blueprint for State Policy.” The blueprint outlines legislative and regulatory solutions related to medical cannabis that states can utilize to combat the opioid epidemic.
Geoffrey Marshall
Cleaning up cannabis - Americans for Safe Access
Groups seek standards to ensure safety and quality
By Britt E. Erickson for Chemical & Engineering News
“We train both the industry and the inspectors that go into the facilities,” -Jahan Marcu, Ph.D.
State Advocacy Resources
