Press Releases

"Veterans Equal Access Act" would allow VA physicians to recommend medical marijuana without federal censure

Paul Marini | February 03, 2015

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...

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Americans for Safe Access hosts scientists, patients, doctors, advocates, lawyers, and policymakers in effort to advance health policy reforms

Paul Marini | January 22, 2015

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,...

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Patients welcome regulations, but strenuously oppose efforts to roll 16-year-old state law into recreational marijuana market

Paul Marini | January 21, 2015

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...

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Larry Harvey argues that new Congressional measure should prevent the DOJ from prosecuting his family

Paul Marini | January 19, 2015

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...

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Patients call on state legislature to pass regulations that preserve and protect 16-year-old medical marijuana program

Paul Marini | January 07, 2015

Seattle, WA -- Medical marijuana patient advocates praised a regulatory plan put forth earlier this week by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, while condemning the new aggressive enforcement approach proposed by City Attorney Pete Holmes. In addition to seeking taxes for...

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Advocates say restriction on enforcement will end federal prosecutions, asset forfeiture litigation, and imprisonment of patients

Paul Marini | December 13, 2014

Washington, DC -- With today's US Senate vote, both houses of Congress have now approved an omnibus spending bill, which includes a measure prohibiting the Department of Justice (DOJ) from interfering in the implementation of state medical marijuana laws. Patient...

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Historic measure is similar to House amendment passed earlier this year aimed at ending DOJ/DEA interference

Paul Marini | December 09, 2014

Washington, DC -- The House and Senate Appropriations leadership has hammered out a budget bill that includes an historic amendment to curb federal Department of Justice (DOJ) enforcement in medical marijuana states. The measure, which was originally passed by the...

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CMA resolution comes as California lawmakers consider introducing a bill to address widespread problem of transplant denials

Paul Marini | December 08, 2014

San Diego, CA -- The California Medical Association (CMA) voted unanimously this weekend to urge transplant clinics in the state against removing patients from organ transplant lists based on their medical marijuana status or use. The CMA House of Delegates...

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U.S. Senate expected to take up measure restricting Justice Department funding for such prosecutions later this week

Paul Marini | December 01, 2014

Spokane, WA -- A new judge assigned to hear the widely watched federal medical marijuana case of the Kettle Falls Five has continued the federal trial scheduled to begin today in Spokane, Washington. Senior Judge Fred Van Sickle has been...

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"Veterans Equal Access Act" would allow VA physicians to discuss medical marijuana with their patients without federal censure

Paul Marini | November 20, 2014

Washington, DC -- U.S. House Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), along with ten bipartisan Congressional cosponsors introduced the "Veterans Equal Access Act" (VEAA) today, marking a concerted federal effort to allow our country's veterans to become medical...

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