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On September 26th, medical cannabis advocates from Hawaii to Florida gathered on Capitol Hill for the Validated Voices Summit, representing patients from across the nation. It marked a pivotal moment as patients met in Washington, DC, for the first time since the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) acknowledged that cannabis has accepted medical use in the United States.

Despite this progress, a troubling reality emerged from our meetings: patient access to medical cannabis remains in serious jeopardy. While most Congressional offices were welcoming and even considered themselves supporters of medical cannabis, we found that many representatives were deeply misinformed about patient needs and Congress' role in overcoming existing barriers.

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Many representatives were genuinely surprised to hear from patients that recreational and hemp markets are not addressing patients’ medical needs, while others mistakenly believed that rescheduling cannabis would automatically solve patient access issues. This reveals a fundamental misunderstanding: Congress thinks comprehensive medical cannabis legislation is no longer needed.

This is especially concerning when media coverage rarely focuses on medical cannabis issues, and without patient advocates leading the conversation, misinformation thrives. If Congress hears only from business lobbyists, this skewed perception will persist, leaving patients without the urgent support they need.

With Election Day approaching on November 5th, 2024, patient advocates have an opportunity to set the record straight candidates vying to fill the 468 seats up for grabs. As constituents, you have a powerful voice—these candidates are applying for the job of representing you, and it is up to you to deliver the message that “Medical Cannabis Champion” is in the job description.

The next Congress will inevitably address cannabis and hemp regulations in one way or another. Every major proposal introduced in this session of Congress would be disastrous for patients as they all propose placing cannabis and cannabinoid products under the FDA’s regulatory framework, treating them like tobacco products without recognizing their medical benefits. The FDA has already stated that it will only acknowledge cannabis medicines through its current drug approval process—a system that has long failed to meet the needs of patients and sent them to state programs in the first place.

ASA’s Compassionate Candidate Campaign makes it easy for you to take action now, ensuring that the next Congress prioritizes patient access and medical cannabis policy. Your choices in this election will shape the future of medical cannabis policy at a critical time.

Take action today, and let’s secure a better future for medical cannabis patients across the nation.

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