Blog

Cannabis Use Among Youth not Increased by Medical Marijuana Legalization

Paul Marini | November 02, 2011

Today at the American Public Health Association's (APHA) Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., Esther Choo, M.D., M.P.H. of Rhode Island Hospital will present findings from a study exploring whether legalizing cannabis for medical use in Rhode  Island increases its recreational...

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We're Making a Difference… Help ASA Keep the Momentum!

Paul Marini | November 01, 2011

Last week, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) filed a lawsuit challenging the Obama Administration's attempt to subvert local and state medical cannabis laws. Our lawsuit argues that the Tenth Amendment forbids the federal government from using coercive tactics to commandeer...

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California State, Local Elected Officials Blast Federal Attacks on Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | October 31, 2011

        Earlier this month, in response to federal attacks by California’s U.S. Attorneys, several local and state officials spoke out against the aggressive interference in their medical marijuana laws. State Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Assembly member Tom Ammiano (D-San...

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Members of Congress Urge President Obama to Reschedule Cannabis

Paul Marini | October 28, 2011

Today, in a joint effort between Congressional Representatives and Americans for Safe Access, several members of Congress sent a letter to President Obama expressing "concern with the recent activity by the Department of Justice against legitimate medical cannabis dispensaries in...

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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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