Press Releases

Patient advocates are producing ads in an effort to educate public, hold federal policymakers accountable

Paul Marini | June 05, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- The medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is running 30-second TV advertisements on MSNBC in Maryland and South Florida over the next few days to draw attention to Members of Congress who opposed medical...

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U.S. Senate could vote as early as next week on measure to restrict DOJ funds for medical marijuana enforcement

Paul Marini | June 04, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Medical marijuana patient Larry Harvey, 70, has returned to Washington, D.C. this week to persuade the U.S. Senate to vote for an end to the type of Justice Department (DOJ) enforcement that has resulted in unnecessary federal...

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Adoption of Minnesota law coincides with Congressional vote to end federal interference in implementation of such laws

Paul Marini | May 29, 2014

St. Paul, MN -- Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law today that makes Minnesota the 22nd medical marijuana state. Patient advocates celebrated the passage of SF 2470, which will protect qualified patients from arrest, prosecution, and discrimination, and...

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The 219-189 House floor vote forces Obama Administration to end federal attacks in medical marijuana states

Paul Marini | May 29, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- In an unprecedented 219-189 floor vote late tonight, the House of Representatives approved the end of funding for Department of Justice (DOJ) enforcement in medical marijuana states. Advocates are hailing the vote as a major victory that...

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Advocates complain that aggressive prosecutions and enforcement actions continue despite August 2013 DOJ memo

Paul Marini | May 28, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- A bipartisan group of Congressional House members are expected to introduce an amendment later today to the Commerce, Science & Justice (CJS) appropriations bill, which would stop the Department of Justice (DOJ) from using funds to interfere...

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Speakers discuss upcoming Congressional vote to restrict DOJ enforcement against medical marijuana patients like the "Kettle Falls 5"

Paul Marini | May 06, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Medical marijuana patient Larry Harvey, 70, who will be tried in federal court next week in Spokane, Washington, is speaking out on Capitol Hill about his prosecution. Harvey will be joined by a bipartisan group of Congressional...

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Congressional vote expected this month to restrict DOJ enforcement against state-compliant patients like the "Kettle Falls 5"

Paul Marini | May 05, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Medical marijuana patient Larry Harvey, 70, is traveling to Washington, D.C. this week to persuade Congress to stop funding unnecessary federal prosecutions like his. Harvey is one of the "Kettle Falls 5," a federal medical marijuana case...

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Interactive online tool shows how Congress votes on medical marijuana, including yesterday's VHA vote

Paul Marini | May 01, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- The medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access (ASA) relaunched its VoteMedicalMarijuana.org website today, an interactive online tool that provides voting statistics and a report card for each Members of Congress. For example, the site provides...

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Vote Could Lift Ban on VHA Doctors Recommending Medical Marijuana

Paul Marini | April 30, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- Veterans will be able to get recommendations to use medical cannabis from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physicians if an amendment expected to be offered this evening passes. The VHA currently prohibits its medical providers from issuing the...

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Prosecutions contradict Obama Administration statements, policy against targeting sick patients

Paul Marini | April 21, 2014

Spokane, WA -- Family members from a rural area of eastern Washington are expected to go to trial next month on federal marijuana charges, despite the Obama Administration's repeated claims that it does not target seriously ill patients. The federal...

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