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Many medical cannabis patients have become accustomed to our second-class status in this country, navigating life decisions through a series of obstacles and hurdles invisible to most. However, 4th of July celebrations, with themes of personal freedoms —Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are a harsh reminder that we have been left out of those American promises.

Most cannabis supporters take for granted the access to medical cannabis that has swept through our country in the last decade, but may not understand that access does not equal freedom. 

Today, before you wish a patient or their caregivers a "Happy  Fourth of July," consider whether we can truly celebrate freedom as a nation when millions are left without the fundamental rights promised to all Americans.

Contemplate the freedoms listed below that many take for granted but are out of reach for medical cannabis patients.

Life

•         Freedom to utilize a medicine that works best for you
•         Freedom to utilize a medicine that works best for your child
•         Freedom to utilize government assistance programs
•         Freedom to know that your medications will always be available to you
•         Freedom to trust that your medicine is labeled correctly and that government agencies will notify you if contaminants have been found in your medicine

Liberty

•         Freedom of workplace, housing, and health care discrimination
•         Freedom to work, or accept contract work, for the federal government
•         Freedom to qualify for life-saving treatments like organ transplants
•         Freedom to use your preferred medication in a hospital
•         Freedom to  talk openly to your doctor about what medications you are taking

Pursuit of Happiness

•         Freedom to move freely across the US
•         Freedom to participate in major life events such as weddings, funerals, and graduations
•         Freedom to pursue employment, education, and retirement opportunities 
•         Freedom to have your child go to school with the medicine they need
•         Freedom to travel across state lines and visit national parks with your medication

"FREEDOM FROM ARREST" MAY SOON BE ANOTHER FEDERAL RIGHT PATIENTS LOSE IF YOU DON'T TAKE ACTION TODAY 

On Monday, July 7th, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Committee will be debating the budget for the Department of Justice and the DEA. Since 2014, the bill has included provisions that prevent federal interference in state medical cannabis programs, shielding millions of patients, caregivers, state regulators, and cannabis businesses from prosecution, asset forfeiture, and harassment. Unfortunately, President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal omits these longstanding spending restrictions, and anti-cannabis representatives are now chairing CJS committees in both houses. TAKE ACTION TODAY and let your Congressional representatives know that you want them to fight to maintain federal protections for medical cannabis programs. 

Join us in our continued fight to ensure that we can all be a part of the American dream! 

Until there is Safe Access… We are Americans for Safe Access!

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