Press Releases
David Mangone
House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Banking Access for Cannabis-Related Businesses - Americans for Safe Access
Representatives Tackle Safety Issues, the Business Environment, and Patient Access, and Discuss the Draft of the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2019
CONTACT: David Mangone, david@safeaccessnow.org, 202-618-6975
WASHINGTON, DC – On February 13, The House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Challenges and Solutions: Access to Banking Services for Cannabis-Related Businesses.” Witnesses included Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07); the Honorable Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer; Maj. Neill Franklin (Ret.) of the Baltimore City and Maryland State Police Departments, currently the Executive Director of Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP); Ms. Rachel Pross, Chief Risk Officer, Maps Credit Union, on behalf of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA); Mr. Gregory S. Deckard, President, CEO, and Chairman of State Bank Northwest, on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA); Mr. Corey Barnette, the owner of District Growers Cultivation Center and the medical cannabis dispensary Metropolitan Wellness Center; and Mr. Jonathan H. Talcott, Chairman of the Board of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.
David Mangone
U.S. Pain Foundation, Partner of Americans for Safe Access, Testifies about Managing Pain During the Opioid Crisis - Americans for Safe Access
Senators Press Witnesses About Usefulness of Medical Cannabis
CONTACT: David Mangone, david@safeaccessnow.org, 202-618-6975
WASHINGTON, DC – On February 12, The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee held a hearing entitled “Managing Pain During the Opioid Crisis.” Witnesses included Dr. Andrew Coop, PhD from the Maryland School of Pharmacy, Cindy Steinberg, the U.S. Pain Foundation’s National Director of Policy and Advocacy, Dr. Halena Gazelka, MD of the Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Anuradha Rao-Patel, MD of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Debbie Churgai
WHO Announces Scientific Consensus on Medical Cannabis - Americans for Safe Access
Contact: Debbie Churgai, Debbie@safeaccessnow.org 240.893.2153
World Health Organization Announces Scientific Consensus on Medical Cannabis
Medical Cannabis Policy Now in the Hands of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Geneva, Switzerland -- In an historic statement published today, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that cannabis and cannabis resin be removed from Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. This would represent a major step forward in the medical use of cannabis worldwide since no government, including the U.S., can now refer to international treaty obligations as a reason for prohibition of the medical use of cannabis. Moreover, in line with the provisions of the Single Convention, governments would now be obliged to ensure the adequate availability of cannabis for the relief of pain and suffering of patients in their countries.
Reenal Doshi
Americans for Safe Access to Hold Event to Raise Awareness of Opioid Crisis; Suggests Medical Cannabis as Safer Alternative - Americans for Safe Access
CONTACT: Reenal Doshi, Reenal@safeaccessnow.org, 240.893.2153 x.4
Americans for Safe Access to Hold Event to Raise Awareness of Opioid Crisis; Suggests Medical Cannabis as Safer Alternative
WASHINGTON, DC – Friday, January 25, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) will hold an event to raise awareness of the life-saving role that medical cannabis can play in the fight against the opioid epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day. In 2017, ASA partnered with the U.S. Pain Foundation to launch the End Pain, Not Lives (EPNL) campaign to address the root of the opioid epidemic in the United States. The goals of the campaign include removing barriers to access to treatment for people with pain, chronic pain, and opioid use disorder. The campaign also focuses on educating medical professionals, legislators, service providers, and patients about medical cannabis as a safer alternative for pain management.
David Mangone
Attorney General Nominee Calls on Congress to Create Federal Unified Policy on Cannabis - Americans for Safe Access
Pledges Not to Interfere with State Legal Cannabis Businesses
Contact: David Mangone | david@safeaccessnow.org | 202-857-4272 ext. 5
Washington, DC — During his Senate confirmation hearings today, the Attorney General nominee to replace Jeff Sessions, William Barr, indicated that he doesn't plan on using Department of Justice resources to prosecute cannabis businesses that are compliant with state law. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) all questioned Barr about cannabis policy.
David Mangone
Congress Permanently Legalizes Industrial Hemp through the 2018 Farm Bil - Americans for Safe Access
Contact: David Mangone | david@safeaccessnow.org | 202-857-4272 ext. 5
Washington, DC — The House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed legislation that legalizes industrial hemp, the H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018. The Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 87-13 and the House by a margin of 369-47. The legislation is still awaiting the president’s signature to become law. The provision that legalizes hemp is part of a larger bill known as the Farm Bill. If signed into law, the bill would allow for the production of hemp in all fifty states. The bill would also legalize the production and processing of the cannabis compound cannabidiol (“CBD”) if the CBD is derived from a plant that contains 0.3% or less tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) by dry weight.
Reenal Doshi
Medical Cannabis Experts Go to South Africa at Requests of SADC Governments Adherence to United Nations Treaties, Localized Treatments, and Export Capabilities Top Concerns - Americans for Safe Access
Contact from ASA: Reenal Doshi | 202-857-4272 x.4 | reenal@safeaccessnow.org
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Americans for Safe Access’s (ASA) research partner, the International Cannabis and Cannabinoid Institute (ICCI), is hosting a series of events for medical professionals, Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) regulators, and future medical cannabis industry leaders. Following a series of requests for support and guidance, ICCI will be bringing global experts to Johannesburg to address concerns of policy makers and is opening up time with experts for medical professionals and those hoping to enter the medical cannabis industry in the region.
David Mangone
Americans for Safe Access Evaluates Utah Compromise Bill on Medical Cannabis - Americans for Safe Access
Contact: David Mangone | david@safeaccessnow.org | 202-857-4272 ext. 5
Washington, DC — On October 4, 2018 Utah legislators released draft text of legislation known as the Utah Medical Cannabis Compromise Bill. This bill was drafted in response to Proposition 2, a citizen led initiative that legalizes the medicinal use of cannabis in Utah, and was intended to fix perceived issues and shortcomings with the initiative. Americans for Safe Access (ASA) previously scored Proposition 2 when the initiative was certified and gave the initiative a score of 61.80% (309.02 / 500 points) When scored on the same matrix, the Medical Cannabis Compromise Bill received a score of 57.87% (286.83 / 500 points).
Reenal Doshi
U.S. Non-Profit Certification Program Joins Forces with International Standards Group - Americans for Safe Access
Contact: Reenal Doshi | 202-857-4272 x.4 | reenal@safeaccessnow.org
This week, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International), a global standards organization, and the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute (ICCI) announced a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on standards for the cannabis industry. ICCI, located in the Czech Republic, is the first European partner for ASTM International’s cannabis committee, which has grown to more than 500 members worldwide in its first two years.
Reenal Doshi
Americans for Safe Access Launches 2018 Medical Cannabis Voter Scorecard - Americans for Safe Access
Contact: Reenal Doshi | reenal@safeaccessnow.org | (202) 857-4272 x4
Washington, DC – Today, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) launched its Vote Medical Marijuana voter guide. The campaign features an interactive online voter's guide that grades members of Congress on their votes and sponsored bills on the issue of medical cannabis legislation.
State Advocacy Resources
