Press Releases
Kris Hermes
Increased Certification of Medical Marijuana Businesses in Washington State Ensure Quality and Safety for Patients
Seattle, WA -- Two Washington State-based laboratories -- The Werc Shop and Phytalab -- have recently been certified under a nationwide program that verifies quality control standards, calibration, and evaluation processes for labs that test medical marijuana products. These certificates were awarded by the Patient Focused Certification (PFC) program, which also certifies the quality and reliability of products sold at licensed medical marijuana businesses.
Kris Hermes
Trial Starts Wednesday in Widely Watched Federal Medical Marijuana Case of the So-Called "Kettle Falls Five"
Spokane, WA -- Trial starts Wednesday in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case from eastern Washington State known as the Kettle Falls Five. The Obama Administration is aggressively pursuing marijuana trafficking charges against a family of patients who claim to have been growing for themselves in full compliance with Washington State's medical marijuana law. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is also choosing to try them in defiance of a recent Congressional ban on DOJ interference in the implementation of state law.
Kris Hermes
Federal Government Dismisses Charges Against Cancer-Stricken Defendant in Widely Watched Medical Marijuana Case
Spokane, WA -- Days before trial is scheduled to start in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case, the government dismissed charges yesterday against Larry Harvey, 71, a defendant recently diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Harvey has been prosecuted for more than two years as part of the so-called "Kettle Falls Five" case, along with other members of his family, who will still be tried by the government as early as next week.
Kris Hermes
Advocates Launch Coordinated Campaign to Support Bipartisan Bills that Protect Medical Cannabis Patients
Olympia, WA -- Medical cannabis patients are applauding the introduction of a bipartisan bill in the House that would fully restore vetoed provisions of a regulatory proposal first passed in 2011, along with a proposal in the Senate that would add Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions.
Kris Hermes
California Legislator Introduces Bill to End Organ Transplant Denials for Medical Marijuana Patients
Sacramento, CA -- California State Assembly member Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) has introduced AB 258, the Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act, a bill aimed at preventing medical marijuana patients from being unduly denied organ transplants. The Medical Cannabis Organ Transplant Act is sponsored by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), which has long advocated for patients seeking organ transplants, including Norman B. Smith, a medical marijuana patient who died in 2012 after being denied a liver transplant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Kris Hermes
Federal Judge to Hear Motion to Dismiss Thursday in Widely Watched Medical Marijuana Case
Spokane, WA -- A motion to dismiss will be heard in federal court Thursday in a widely watched medical marijuana case involving a family from rural northeastern Washington State. Larry Harvey, 71, and other family members of the so-called "Kettle Falls Five" have moved for dismissal of their case, arguing that a recently enacted Congressional measure forbids the Department of Justice (DOJ) from prosecuting them.
Kris Hermes
First Congressional Medical Marijuana Legislation of the Year Focuses on Access for U.S. Veterans
Washington, DC -- U.S. House Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and eight bipartisan Congressional cosponsors introduced the "Veterans Equal Access Act" today, marking a concerted federal effort to allow our country's veterans to become medical marijuana patients in states where it's legal. The bill, which is modeled after similar legislation introduced in November, would simply allow Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians to discuss and recommend medical marijuana to their patients, a right enjoyed by physicians outside of the VA system.
Kris Hermes
Medical Marijuana Advocacy Group Runs Ad in USA Today Announcing 3rd Annual Conference in Washington DC, March 27-31
Washington, DC -- The country's leading medical marijuana advocacy group, Americans for Safe Access (ASA), formally announced its third annual Unity Conference, "Wellness is Winning: Advancing Evidence Based Medical Cannabis Policy," by running an ad in USA Today. The conference, which is being held in Washington, D.C. on March 27-31, 2015, will highlight medical and legal experts, policymakers, and a wide array of workshops and panels focusing on scientific research, strategic planning, and skills building. On Tuesday, March 31st, ASA will host a press conference at 11am, followed by Congressional lobbying visits by hundreds of patient advocates.
Kris Hermes
Medical Marijuana Advocates Host Citizen Lobby Day in Olympia, Washington to Preserve and Protect Patients' Rights
Olympia, WA -- More than 300 patients and advocates from nearly every legislative district in Washington State are expected to convene in Olympia this Thursday to meet with their elected officials and urge them to protect patients' rights amidst current efforts to dismantle the state's 16-year-old medical marijuana law.
Kris Hermes
Kettle Falls Five Defendant Moves for Dismissal in Widely Watched Federal Medical Marijuana Case
Spokane, WA -- A motion to dismiss has been filed in a widely watched federal medical marijuana case involving a family from rural northeastern Washington State. Larry Harvey, 71, of the Kettle Falls Five has moved for dismissal of his case or an order preventing further prosecution. The motion relies on the recently enacted Congressional measure that bans funding for medical marijuana enforcement by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
State Advocacy Resources
