National Medical Cannabis Organization Strengthens Capitol Hill Efforts

Posted by on November 02, 2021

Washington, DC -- Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Abbey Roudebush, Esq. as the organization’s new director of Government Affairs. 

As Director of Government Affairs, Abbey will lead ASA’s policy work on the state and federal levels. She has almost a decade of experience with cannabis policy and in advocating for patients on a range of issues from access to care. Prior to joining ASA, Abbey spent four years at the Epilepsy Foundation, leading the Foundation’s cannabis policy work. She has extensive experience working with state-level stakeholders, and has authored and passed bills in over a dozen states. Abbey started her career working on state-level advocacy in New York and was involved in the passage of the New York Compassionate Care Act in 2014.

“For the past few years I have represented people living with epilepsy on a range of health care issues, including access to medical cannabis,” said Abbey Roudebush. “I am honored to join ASA and combine my passion for medical cannabis, health equity, and patient rights to continue the fight for safe and legal access to medical cannabis as a treatment option for all condition types by strengthening the coalition calling for changes in federal law.”

While helping to strengthen policies and programs across the states, Abbey’s main focus at ASA will be pushing for federal policies that can help medical cannabis patients across the country and coordinating policy efforts of established patient organizations with shared constituencies.

“When it comes to cannabis policy on Capitol Hill, patients' voices are often pushed aside. We are thrilled to have someone who has successfully fought and won for patient rights join our team,” said Debbie Churgai, ASA executive director. “Abbey's background makes her the perfect ambassador to represent our cannabis patients to members of Congress and this administration as well as other organizations with shared constituents. 

As we work toward legalization of medical cannabis at the federal level, highlighting the barriers that still exist for patients, such as affordability and safety among products, will continue to be the focus of our organization.” 

Abbey holds a B.A. in Political Science and English Writing from DePauw University, a J.D. from Albany Law School, and is a member of the District of Columbia Bar.

ABOUT AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS

Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a national nonprofit (501(c)(3)), is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists, and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research, with over 150,000 advocates in all 50 states.

###