Blog

Patient Advocates Sue Obama Justice Department Over Medical Marijuana Crackdown

Paul Marini | October 27, 2011

San Francisco, CA -- Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the country's largest medical marijuana advocacy organization, filed suit in federal court today challenging the Obama Administration's attempt to subvert local and state medical marijuana laws in California. ASA argues in...

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Medical marijuana advocates sue federal prosecutors over crackdown

Paul Marini | October 25, 2011

Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune Medical marijuana advocates on Thursday sued U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Northern California's top federal prosecutor, asking a federal court to halt the recent crackdown on dispensaries.

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California Medical Association Says U.S. Has “Failed Public Health Policy” on Medical Marijuana, Urges Rescheduling

Paul Marini | October 19, 2011

The first broad marijuana policy statement by a state medical association has become a hot topic of conversation, repeatedly referring to the current federal approach as a “failed public health policy.” Indeed, the October 14, 2011 official policy statement by...

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The Ongoing Saga of Federal Interference in Washington State & Push Back from Congress

Paul Marini | October 15, 2011

         Earlier this year, on April 21st, the Washington State legislature passed SB 5073, a bill that would have established a licensing system for the dozens of medical marijuana distribution centers that existed to provide much-needed medication to thousands of patients...

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Some City Council Members in LA and Long Beach Move to Ban Patients’ Coops and Collectives

Paul Marini | October 12, 2011

[caption id="attachment_1977" align="alignnone" width="202" caption="Long Beach City Attorney Robert Shannon"][/caption]In the wake of a confusing ruling in Pack v. Long Beach from California’s Second Appellate District, efforts are under way in Los Angeles and Long Beach to ban medical cannabis...

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RAND Buckles to Political Pressure on Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | October 12, 2011

         A Los Angeles-based study issued less than a month ago by the RAND Corporation, which analyzed levels of crime around the city’s medical marijuana dispensaries, has been pulled as a result of political pressure. Warren Robak of the media relations...

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Elected Officials Push Back Against Threats by DOJ Over Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | October 11, 2011

         On Friday, President Obama’s Justice Department (DOJ) made clear its motivations to disrupt and undermine California’s medical marijuana laws. However, advocates argue that last week’s announcement by the state’s four U.S. Attorneys, which included threats against property owners, comes after...

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Push Back on the Federal Attack

Paul Marini | October 08, 2011

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a major new crackdown on medical cannabis patients, providers, growers, and property owners on Friday. US Attorneys told reporters at a press conference in Sacramento that every medical cannabis patients’ cooperative and collective in...

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Patient Advocates Accuse Obama of Hypocritical, Aggressive Policy on Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | October 07, 2011

Sacramento, CA -- The Obama Justice Department (DOJ) held a press conference in Sacramento today announcing an array of enforcement actions against medical marijuana producers and distributors as well as landlords throughout California. Patient advocates are calling President Obama's enforcement...

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CA Congressman Stark Pushes Back on IRS

Paul Marini | October 06, 2011

 [caption id="attachment_1949" align="alignnone" width="180" caption="Congressman Pete Stark"][/caption]The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is playing hardball with medical cannabis providers in California and Colorado, and Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) is moving to stop them. Using a provision of federal law adopted to...

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