Blog

Washington State Update: Moving Forward to Guarantee Safe Access for Patients

Paul Marini | April 30, 2015

Last Friday, Governor Inslee signed, and partially vetoed, Senate Bill 5052, titled the “Cannabis Patient Protection Act.” Americans for Safe Access and our members worked the legislative process every step of the way. It was a hard slog, and we...

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Be a part of the biggest and most important medical cannabis lobby day yet

Paul Marini | April 30, 2015

I am happy to report that the California Assembly just adopted AB 258, the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act by a vote of 52 to 8! This ASA-sponsored legislation will reduce unnecessary suffering and preventable death by ending pervasive discrimination...

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Medical cannabis news & events from California

Paul Marini | April 27, 2015

Registration for the California Citizen Lobby Day, June 14-15, in Sacramento will begin this week. This two-day event will be the biggest and most important lobby day yet. We will have workshops on local regulations and voter initiatives, special legislative briefings,...

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Congress to Vote on Veterans Equal Access to State Medical Marijuana Programs

Paul Marini | April 27, 2015

This week, perhaps as early as Wednesday, the U.S. House of Represenatives will be voting on the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which sets the budget for the Veterans Administration (V.A.). Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Tom Reed...

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Take Action Washington: Make sure the 502 fix bill is also a fix for patients!

Paul Marini | April 24, 2015

We just learned that as early as this morning, the Washington State Senate will be voting on House Bill 2136. The bill’s purpose is to fix issues plaguing the implementation of Initiative 502. While we were able to create a...

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You Say You Want A Medical Marijuana Revolution

Paul Marini | April 23, 2015

In the wake of the third installment of CNN’s Weed documentary series Dr. Sanjay Gupta is upping the ante suggesting it’s time for a “medical marijuana revolution.” Dr. Gupta sees signs of revolution everywhere and isn’t equivocating about what he...

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What the DEA Chief Resignation Means for Pot Smokers Like You

Paul Marini | April 22, 2015

By Alex Mierjeski attn: On Tuesday, reports emerged that Michele Leonhart, the Drug Enforcement Agency's (D.E.A.) current chief would seek a resignation in the midst of widespread allegations of misconduct within her agency. But in the wake of the announcement, marijuana...

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Backers of legal marijuana face challenges in crafting a ballot measure

Paul Marini | April 22, 2015

By Michael Finnegan The Los Angeles Times With Californians facing a possible vote next year on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, supporters are scrambling to craft a measure that can win broad public support.

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Gov. Inslee to decide on marijuana ‘cooperatives’

Paul Marini | April 22, 2015

BY JORDAN SCHRADER The News Tribune Police and sheriffs want Gov. Jay Inslee to veto permission for group grows of medical marijuana. Washington state law today allows “collective gardens,” which were envisioned as a way for small groups of patients...

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New DEA Leadership Clears Way For Rescheduling and Other Needed Reforms

Paul Marini | April 22, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC-  Several news reports have circulated suggesting that Michele Leonhart, administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), is resigning. Leonhart has been criticized by medical cannabis advocates as well as members of Congress for her unwillingness to adhere to...

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