Blog

Three defendants now stand trial after dismissal of charges against cancer-stricken defendant, plea bargain by family friend

Paul Marini | February 26, 2015

Spokane, WA -- Trial began on Wednesday with jury selection and opening statements in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case against a family from eastern Washington State known as the Kettle Falls Five. Last week, amidst mounting pressure, the...

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New D.C. Adult-Use Marijuana Law Will Likely Have Minimal Impact on the District's Medical Program

Paul Marini | February 25, 2015

According to District government officials, the adult-use marijuana law,  Initiative 71, will go into effect at 12:01 am on February 26, 2015. While there is much attention surround the implementation of Initiative 71 regarding the District-Federal showdown, as some House Republicans...

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Federal Trial Begins Against Family That Grew Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | February 25, 2015

Matt Ferner, Huffington Post A high-profile federal trial began Wednesday for three family members and a close family friend who have been charged with illegally possessing and distributing medical marijuana, among other offenses. If convicted, the defendants face minimum mandatory...

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Patient Focused Certification Program Director Kristin Nevedal will speak Thursday to the Coalition for Cannabis Standards and Ethics

Paul Marini | February 25, 2015

Seattle, WA -- Two Washington State-based laboratories -- The Werc Shop and Phytalab -- have recently been certified under a nationwide program that verifies quality control standards, calibration, and evaluation processes for labs that test medical marijuana products. These certificates...

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Government continues prosecution despite Congressional ban on interfering with implementation of state law

Paul Marini | February 24, 2015

Trial starts Wednesday in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case from eastern Washington State known as the Kettle Falls Five. The Obama Administration is aggressively pursuing marijuana trafficking charges against a family of patients who claim to have been growing for...

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Government continues prosecution despite Congressional ban on interfering with implementation of state law

Paul Marini | February 24, 2015

Spokane, WA -- Trial starts Wednesday in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case from eastern Washington State known as the Kettle Falls Five. The Obama Administration is aggressively pursuing marijuana trafficking charges against a family of patients who claim...

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A spurned donor, a frayed party, and a surprisingly divisive issue

Paul Marini | February 24, 2015

Marc Caputo, Politico The low-budget ad, with only three hits on cable for $305, was a typical hit piece for Americans for Safe Access, an under-funded special interest group looking to push its agenda on the cheap. “Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman...

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Medical Marijuana Patients In California Are Being Denied Organ Transplants, But That Could Soon Change

Paul Marini | February 24, 2015

Carly Schwartz, Huffington Post Justin Turley has suffered from cirrhosis, a degenerative liver disorder that keeps him in near-constant pain, for 13 years. Shortly after his diagnosis, frustrated by the side effects of pharmaceutical medications he said turned him into...

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Sign the petition for AB 258 and send it to your friends

Paul Marini | February 23, 2015

I need your help to make sure that the state legislature passes AB 258, the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act, this year. Can you sign ASA’s online petition in support if the bill, and then ask your friends and loved ones to...

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Congressman Cohen Urges AG Holder to Use his Statutory Authority to Reschedule Marijuana

Paul Marini | February 20, 2015

This week, Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN) sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to use his remaining time in office to use his statutory authority to redesignate marijuana out of Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act....

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