ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE PATIENT LOSING ACCESS
Federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 could disrupt access to cannabinoid medicines relied upon by patients across the country. Advocates can help ensure policymakers understand the impact and act in time.
The actions below place Americans for Safe Access' briefing, "Protecting Patient Access: A Compassionate Response to Changing Hemp Laws," directly in front of the people who can prevent the looming access crisis.
1. Send the Protecting Patient Access Briefing to Your State Representatives
State lawmakers need clear, patient-centered guidance on how federal hemp law changes may affect patients in their states.
Share the briefing and urge them to evaluate whether your state’s medical cannabis program is prepared to serve patients who may lose access.
Action time 2-5 Minutes: Contact them now!
2. Send the Briefing to Your Governor
Governors have the authority to issue executive actions and emergency rules that can help states prepare for the transition.
Encourage your governor to review the briefing and work with regulators and lawmakers to ensure patients are not left without options.
Action time 2-5 Minutes: Contact your Governor now!
3. Write a "Letter to the Editor" about the Protecting Patient Access Briefing
Local newspapers still shape how policymakers think. A short letter can put this issue on their radar—and keep it there.
Action time 5-10 Minutes: Use or adapt one of the sample letters below.
Tips on Getting Letters to the Editor Published
Older Americans
Subject: Older Americans can’t absorb another disruption
Many older adults rely on cannabinoid medicines for pain, sleep, and quality of life. We use what’s available because medical programs are often costly or out of reach.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in a briefing for state policymakers, Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
We need action before November 2026 to prevent the looming access crisis—so older Americans aren’t forced back to riskier medications or left without options.
Patient
Subject: State leadership needed to protect patients from new federal hemp laws
Our state legalized adult-use cannabis, but that didn’t solve medical access. For many patients, it made things harder—higher prices, fewer medical products, and programs that no longer prioritize care.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
Seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and children with serious conditions cannot “wait and see.” State leaders must act before November 2026 to prevent the looming access crisis. Adult-use was never supposed to replace medicine.
Healthcare Professional
Subject: Our cannabis laws put patients at risk
I treat patients who depend on cannabinoid medicines when conventional therapies fail. Many rely on full-spectrum products because medical programs are expensive, limited, or inaccessible.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Adult-use markets won’t replace medical care.
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
States with adult-use must act before November 2026 to prevent the looming access crisis—lower barriers, expand medical product access, and treat cannabis like medicine, not a consumer good.
Caregiver
Subject: Families can’t wait
My family depends on cannabinoid medicine. Like many caregivers, we rely on the hemp marketplace because medical programs are hard to navigate and afford.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
This is healthcare. Please act before November 2026 to prevent the looming access crisis so families aren’t abandoned.
Parent
Subject: CBD laws without access aren’t protection
Our state passed a CBD law, but it doesn’t provide real access. Families rely on out-of-state products and the hemp marketplace.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
A CBD law without infrastructure is symbolic—not protective. We need a real medical framework before November 2026 to prevent the looming access crisis. Children with serious conditions deserve better.
Veteran
Subject: Veterans will lose access in November 2026
Many veterans rely on full-spectrum cannabinoid products because there is no reliable medical pathway in our state.
Americans for Safe Access warns that federal hemp law changes taking effect in November 2026 will eliminate many full-spectrum cannabinoid medicines patients rely on today in Protecting Patient Access: www.safeaccessnow.org/protect_patient_access
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
Our lawmakers can prevent this. We need a real medical framework before November 2026—one that treats cannabis like medicine, not a loophole. Acting now can prevent the looming access crisis for veterans.
4. Send the Policy Briefing to Local Press Contacts
Local reporters shape what lawmakers see and feel pressure to respond to. Sharing this briefing with journalists in your area helps turn patient harm into a public story—and puts the issue on the radar of state leaders
Download Policy Briefing: Protecting Patient Access: A Compassionate Response to Changing Hemp Laws
Action time 10-30 Minutes
5. Educate Your Community: Screen the Stakeholders Webinar with friends, family, or local organizations
Host a small watch party with friends, family, patient groups, or local organizations. The more people who understand what’s coming in November 2026, the harder it becomes for leaders to ignore it.
Action time: 1 hour (viewing time)
6. Share the Action Page on Your Social Media
Visibility creates momentum. Every share widens the circle of people urging state leaders to act before patients lose access.
Action time: 5 seconds — click the links below and share
The Bottom Line
Silence from state leaders today will mean suffering for patients tomorrow.
States helped build the foundation for modern medical cannabis policy. Now they must ensure that patients are not left behind as federal hemp laws change.
Learn more and take action to Protect Patient Access.
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