Blog

ASA Activist Newsletter - June 2017

Paul Marini | June 18, 2017

In the June 2017 Issue: CARERS Act Revived in Congress with Added Co-Sponsors Safe Access Tennessee Launches Grassroots Patient Groups PFC at Forefront of International Standards Development California Lobby Day Draws 200 Advocates Maryland Program Delays Spur Patient Protest ASA...

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Trump Commission Ignores the Role of Medical Cannabis in Fighting the Opioid Crisis

Paul Marini | June 16, 2017

On June 16, President Trump’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis held its first meeting to begin formulating recommendations on how to combat the opioid epidemic. The meeting provided compelling stories and thoughtful suggestions on how to...

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Medical Cannabis Advocates Call on Trump Administration to Use all Tools Available to Fight Opiate Crisis

Paul Marini | June 16, 2017

Americans for Safe Access Submits Comments at Trump’s first official meeting to address drug addiction, opioid abuse WASHINGTON, DC — Today, June 16th, Governor Chris Christie (NJ) will chair the first meeting of the President’s commision on Drug Addiction and...

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Reintroduced CARERS Act Would Protect States' Rights, Medical Marijuana Patients

Paul Marini | June 16, 2017

By Thomas Mitchell for Westword Days after a letter from Attorney General Jeff Sessions surfaced, asking congressional leaders to revoke federal protections for medical marijuana, senators have introduced a bill that would protect medical marijuana patients in states where it's legal while also removing...

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BREAKING NEWS: The CARERS Act of 2017 has been introduced

Paul Marini | June 15, 2017

Great news: the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act of 2017 was introduced in the U.S. Senate this afternoon! The bill is being introduced by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (New York), Cory Booker (New Jersey), Al Franken (Minnesota), and Rand...

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Medical Marijuana Bill Introduced With New Sponsors, Improved Chance for Passage; Advocates Praise Legislation As ‘Critical’

Paul Marini | June 15, 2017

Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect the States Bipartisan (CARERS) Act Introduced with Senators Booker, Lee, Paul, Murkowski, Gillibrand, and Franken WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senator Rand Paul...

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Hurdles expected for Utah’s medical marijuana research law

Paul Marini | June 14, 2017

By the Associated Press for WTOP No other U.S. state is taking the research-before-legislation route because they realize it is futile, said Jahan Marcu of Americans for Safe Access, a national medical cannabis advocacy group. “It’s never been shown to...

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If You Don’t Think Jeff Sessions is a Threat You’re Not Paying Attention

Paul Marini | June 13, 2017

On Monday, a letter from  Attorney General Jeff Sessions that highlights his opposition to medical cannabis became public.  While the Administration had previously given somewhat vague statements about their intentions relating to medical cannabis, this letter provides clear cut opposition...

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International Cannabis Standards Committee Launched by ASTM and APHA

Paul Marini | June 12, 2017

Americans for Safe Access’ (ASA) Patient Focused Certification standards for medical marijuana accepted as foundational recommendationsLast week, global standards organization ASTM International and the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced that they will develop standards for the cannabis industry. Under the...

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“No More Delays” Rally in Baltimore a Success

Paul Marini | June 02, 2017

Dozens of medical cannabis patients and industry advocates gathered this morning in front of the courthouse in Baltimore, Maryland to protest further delays to the state’s medical cannabis program.  The potential delays came from a restraining order issued by a...

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