Press Releases

International Patient Advocates Attend UNGASS Meetings to Push for Concrete Action

Steph Sherer | 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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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Virginia General Assembly Passes Medical Marijuana Production Bill

Paul Marini | March 09, 2016

(Richmond, VA) - Yesterday, Virginia's lawmakers passed a bill which will allow for the eventual production and distribution of low THC marijuana oils in the Commonwealth. After lengthy discussions and negotiations in both houses, SB701, Cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil;...

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Parents Resuscitate SB701 and Prepare for House Vote

Paul Marini | February 17, 2016

(Richmond, VA) - Yesterday, the Virginia Senate by a vote of 37 to 2 passed SB701, a bill that would allow the production and manufacturing of cannabidiol (CBD) oil and THC-A oil in the state. For the past several weeks,...

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UN Holds Stakeholder Meetings for Upcoming UN Special Session on Drug Policy

Paul Marini | February 10, 2016

(New York, NY) – Today Executive Director of Americans for Safe Access (ASA), Steph Sherer, and Michael Krawitz, Executive Director, Veterans For Medical Cannabis Access will join organizations from across the globe at at the UN Headquarters to continue preparations...

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Patient Advocates Hope Report will Help State Legislators “Make the Grade” in 2016

Paul Marini | January 26, 2016

(Washington, D.C.) – Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued “Medical Marijuana Access in the US: A Patient-Focused Analysis of the Patchwork of State Laws,” today. The annual report evaluates the array of differing state medical cannabis programs across the country...

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The California Local Access Project provides resources and training for medical marijuana advocates

Paul Marini | December 22, 2015

Sacramento, CA – A national medical marijuana advocacy organization published a memo and model ordinance on Monday for California cities and counties recommending that they regulate the cultivation of medical marijuana instead of banning it. The memo and model ordinance...

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