Blog

Why I'm Attending the California Summit

Paul Marini | May 01, 2013

I am so excited to be attending the ASA California Medical Cannabis Policy Summit and Lobby Day this weekend.  The event last year was absolutely brilliant.  Steph and the Sacramento ASA Chapter did an outstanding job organizing the event, and...

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ASA Activist Newsletter - MAY 2013

Paul Marini | May 01, 2013

Volume 8, Issue 5

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Off to the U.S. Supreme Court We Go

Steph Sherer | April 25, 2013

Sadly, but not unexpectedly, last week the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied a petition for rehearing filed be Americans for Safe Access in ASA v. DEA. After more than a decade of legal wrangling with...

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SB 289 means trouble for legal patients

Paul Marini | April 23, 2013

California Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) has proposed a bill that would turn most of the state’s legal medical cannabis patients into criminals. SB 289 will make it a crime to drive with any amount of a controlled substance in...

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Patient Advocates Seek Changes to Draft Regulations for Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Law

Paul Marini | April 22, 2013

Patient advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) filed recommended amendments today to draft regulations which were issued last month by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) in order to implement Question 3, the state’s new medical marijuana law....

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Medical Marijuana Advocates Applaud Passage of Illinois House Bill and Continue to Lobby for Changes

Paul Marini | April 17, 2013

Springfield, IL -- The Illinois House voted 61-57 today to pass HB1, the "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act," which creates a framework to protect physicians and certain qualified medical marijuana patients from arrest and prosecution. HB1, which...

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Michigan Medical Marijuana Patient Refused Placement in Prison Medical Facility Despite Judge's Recommendation

Paul Marini | April 15, 2013

Detroit, MI -- Late last week, 53-year-old Michigan medical marijuana patient Jerry Duval received a Justice Department order to surrender to federal authorities on June 11th to begin serving a 10-year prison sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Elkton,...

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Why I am Going to Sacramento

Paul Marini | April 09, 2013

Nothing happens in the state legislature just because it should. Sometimes laws get passed because those with a financial interest in the outcome influence lawmakers. In some cases, political favors get traded to get something done. And all too often,...

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Unfortunately, Maryland Did NOT Become the 19th Medical Marijuana State

Paul Marini | April 08, 2013

When the Maryland Senate voted earlier today to approve HB 1101 today, it failed to become the 19th medical cannabis (marijuana) state. In spite of the bill's comendable intentions, it remains highly flawed. Some have touted the HB 1101 approach...

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Medical Marijuana Advocates Voice Opposition as Well-Intentioned, But Flawed Bill Passes Maryland Legislature

Paul Marini | April 08, 2013

Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland Senate voted 42-4 today to pass what legislators are calling a new statewide medical marijuana bill, but patient advocates say that HB1101 is more symbolic than practical and will fail to make much "real-world" difference...

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