Press Releases

Medical Cannabis Advocates and CARERS Act Sponsors Hold Senate Briefing Urging Immediate Protection for Patients

Paul Marini | June 21, 2016

Washington, D.C. - Today, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) presented a briefing on the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act (S. 683/H.R. 1538) with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The briefing featured policy experts and medical cannabis (marijuana) stakeholders who...

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Medical Marijuana Research Act Removes Barriers for Research but Doesn’t Protect State Programs and Patients

Paul Marini | June 20, 2016

Washington, DC - Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is encouraged by the introduction of the bicameral and bipartisan medical cannabis (marijuana) research bill, the Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2016. The original sponsors in the House; Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Sam Farr...

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Patient-Advocates Across the State go Door-to-Door to Drive Support

Paul Marini | June 16, 2016

Urbandale, IOWA - Today, patients, caregivers, and advocates held a press conference to kick off a signature drive for a petition addressed to Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asking him to give the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act (S.683)...

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Patient Advocacy Group Partners with Internationally-Recognized Accreditation Body

Paul Marini | May 31, 2016

Washington, DC – Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) are excited to announce a collaboration to develop a cannabis specific laboratory accreditation program based upon the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and ASA’ s...

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Ohio Set to Become the 26th Medical Cannabis State

Paul Marini | May 27, 2016

Washington DC -  Late on Wednesday night, the Ohio Legislature passed a medical cannabis (marijuana) bill, HB 523, which would create a system of retail distribution in the state. The bill passed by a vote of 18-15 in the Senate, followed shortly by...

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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,...

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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,...

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State Department States NIDA Monopoly on Research Marijuana Unnecessary

Steph Sherer | 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...

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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...

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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...

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