Blog

Demystifying the CMS CBD Pilot Program: Patient Advocates Convene National Briefing as Medicare CBD Pilot Nears Release

Steph Sherer | March 09, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Patient advocacy organizations are convening a national briefing today to explain the emerging federal framework for cannabinoid therapies referenced during a White House press conference announcing an Executive Order titled Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research. The...

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Medical Cannabis Is on Every Ballot in 2026

Steph Sherer | February 28, 2026

Let’s Make Sure Compassion is Too.   Candidates running for federal office are publicly committing to advance a national medical cannabis program by signing the Compassionate Pledge — sending a clear signal to voters about how they will approach medical...

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Nebraska 2026 Candidates Pledge to Champion National Medical Cannabis Program

Steph Sherer | February 16, 2026

Announcement Launches ASA’s Compassionate Candidate Campaign Washington, DC / Lincoln, NE — Americans for Safe Access (ASA) today officially launched its 2026 Compassionate Candidate Campaign, with Nebraska State Senator John Cavanaugh, candidate for U.S. Congress (District 2), and Dan Osborn,...

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Federal Budget Leaves Medical Cannabis Patients More Uncertain Than Ever (Op-Ed)

Steph Sherer | February 14, 2026

Read Americans for Safe Access Founder and Executive Director, Steph Sherer's latest opinion piece for Marijuana Moment. 

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Nebraska: Ground Zero Medical Cannabis Policy in 2026?

Steph Sherer | February 13, 2026

Washington, DC / Lincoln, NE — On Monday, February 16, at 10:00 AM CT, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana and Americans for Safe Access (ASA) will convene patients, advocates, and state policymakers for a press briefing on Nebraska’s unprecedented exclusion from...

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Trump Administration’s Role in New Hemp Law Nears Deadline

Steph Sherer | February 09, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tuesday, February 10, 2026, is the deadline Congress set for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publish definitions and classifications of cannabinoids under the new federal hemp law enacted in November 2025 (H.R. 5371 —...

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CMS Advances Medical Cannabis Policy. Congress Must Follow.

Steph Sherer | January 27, 2026

Yesterday, the public comment period closed on a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that could reshape how some cannabis therapies are treated under Medicare. For millions of patients, this is a major milestone. It...

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For Immediate Release: Patient Advocates Warn: Federal Hemp Changes Will Cut Off Medicine for Millions

Steph Sherer | January 21, 2026

Americans for Safe Access Campaign Pushes Compassionate Response from States Washington, D.C. — The decades-long struggle to secure safe and reliable access to cannabis therapeutics nationwide is turning to the states for leadership once again. New federal hemp laws set...

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Press Advisory: Medical Cannabis Stakeholders Call on States for a Compassionate Response to Hemp Laws

Steph Sherer | January 15, 2026

Washington, D.C.- On Tuesday, January 20th, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is convening medical cannabis stakeholders to discuss the impacts of new federal hemp laws and ASA's policy briefing for State Policymakers, Governors, and Regulators, "Protecting Patient Access: A Compassionate...

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12 Epiphanies for Medical Cannabis Advocacy in 2026

Steph Sherer | January 07, 2026

Clarity Changes What is Possible The Twelve Days of Christmas end with Epiphany—the moment when things finally click. As we enter a year that will define medical cannabis policy for decades, this felt like the right moment to pause and...

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