U.S. House of Representatives Approves Amendment to Create Access for Veterans to Medical Cannabis Paul Marini | May 19, 2016 Washington DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve the Veterans Equal Access Amendment (VEAA) to the FY2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilConVA) Appropriations bill, which sets the budget for the Veterans Administration (VA). The amendment,... Read more
California’s new medical marijuana regulatory Chief Lori Ajax to address patients and other stakeholders at the event Paul Marini | May 18, 2016 Sacramento, CA – Hundreds of patients, advocates, care providers, industry workers, and other stakeholders from around the State are convening in Sacramento on Monday to meet with their elected officials and urge them to protect patients' rights, defeat taxation measures,... Read more
State Department States NIDA Monopoly on Research Marijuana Unnecessary Paul Marini | May 06, 2016 State Department Confirms Breaking Up NIDA Monopoly Does Not Violate UN Treaty (Washington, D.C.) - The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the State Department has gone on record stating that the United States could issue multiple licenses for the... Read more
Orrick and Americans for Safe Access Join Together to Provide Legal Support for Patients Paul Marini | April 28, 2016 (New York) - Orrick, a leading global law firm, is partnering with Americans for Safe Access’ Patients’ Rights Project to provide pro bono support to medical cannabis patients, many if not most of whom are low-income, to navigate the often... Read more
Senate Panel Votes to Protect State Medical Marijuana Laws Paul Marini | April 21, 2016 (Washington, D.C.) Thursday morning, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to the FY2017 Commerce, Justice, Science & Related Agencies Appropriations Act (CJS) to protect medical cannabis patients. The amendment, sponsored by Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), prohibits the Depart... Read more
International Patient Advocates Attend UNGASS Meetings to Push for Concrete Action Paul Marini | April 19, 2016 (New York, NY) – The United Nation’s General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on drug policy began today with representatives and world leaders making strong statements urging member countries to move beyond prohibition and into effective regulations for medical Cannabis. H.E. Mogens... Read more
Pennsylvania Becomes 24th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis Paul Marini | April 18, 2016 (Harrisburg, PA) – Yesterday, in front of a crowd of patients and advocates Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed SB 3, making Pennsylvania the 24th medical cannabis state in the country to adopt a comprehensive medical marijuana program. The bill, introduced by... Read more
Senate Appropriations Committee Votes to Allow VA to Recommend Medical Cannabis Paul Marini | April 14, 2016 (Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations voted to approve the Veterans Equal Access Amendment (VEAA) to the FY2017 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilConVA) Appropriations bill, which sets the budget for the Veterans Administration (VA). The... Read more
Maryland Passes Bill to Expand Certifying Providers for Medical Marijuana Paul Marini | April 12, 2016 (Annapolis, MD) – Yesterday, the Maryland Senate by a vote of 36-10 passed HB104, Medical Cannabis - Written Certifications - Certifying Providers on the last day of the legislative session. If Governor Larry Hogan (R) signs the legislation as expected,... Read more
Senator Graham Lends Support to Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill Paul Marini | March 11, 2016 (Washington, DC) - Yesterday, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) joined the bipartisan Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act (S. 683) as a co-sponsor. The support of Senator Graham coincides with the one-year anniversary of the bill’s introduction by... Read more