Press Releases

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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HB 881 will protect patients from arrest and prosecution, approve physicians, license growers and distributors

Paul Marini | April 14, 2014

Annapolis, MD -- Governor Martin O'Malley signed HB 881 into law today, making Maryland the 21st medical marijuana state. The Maryland House of Delegates voted 125-11 last week to adopt HB 881, a medical marijuana bill that protect patients with...

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Patient advocates worked with Council member Yvette Alexander to improve lagging enrollment in the program

Paul Marini | April 09, 2014

Washington, D.C. -- District of Columbia Council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) introduced legislation yesterday that would lift restrictions on physicians that currently prevent them from recommending medical marijuana to any patient who might benefit from it. If signed into...

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HB 881 will protect patients from arrest and prosecution, approve physicians, license growers and distributors

Paul Marini | April 08, 2014

Annapolis, MD -- The Maryland House of Delegates voted 125-11 yesterday to adopt HB 881, a medical marijuana bill that improves upon the law that was adopted by the state last year. If signed by Governor Martin O'Malley, HB 881...

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