From Americans For Safe Access:
We are happy to announce that after months of public pressure, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has removed factually inaccurate information from its website claiming that cannabis was a gateway drug, caused irreversible cognitive decline in adults, and contributed to psychosis and lung cancer. This change comes after we filed a legal request with the Department of Justice last year demanding that the DEA immediately update and remove factually inaccurate information from their website and materials
That said, we still face major obstacles in our fight for safe and legal access to this medicine. I sent a note last week about swearing-in of former Senator Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General, a strong opponent of legalizing cannabis. As the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Jeff Sessions could cause chaos for medical patients across the country.
That’s why we need your support to help educate Jeff Sessions and other decision makers about why medical cannabis is just that – medicine. In the fifteen years since I started ASA in 2001, advocates of medical cannabis have invested greatly in this fight to move toward creating a safe federal and state environment for patients to access the medicine they need. Every year our patient advocates come to Washington D.C. for the National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference to learn about the latest in our industry and how they can help change hearts and minds about how medical cannabis is safe and essential to the health of countless patients.
Over the years, many of our patient advocates have made the difference in our efforts to educate and persuade lawmakers to support our cause. Thanks to scholarship sponsor Dr. Bronner, advocate Lisa Bean, along with fellow advocates Risa Horowitz, and Sarah Armstrong met with California Representative Julia Brownly during the 2016 Unity Conference’s lobby day on March 22, 2016. The very next day, Rep. Brownly co-sponsored the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act (CARERS)!
Our champions have provided real impact, in their states and with elected official in Washington D.C. We will continue to work to remove cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and legalize its use in the United States, however it’s a long road ahead.
We need your support to accomplish this! Will you help the cause and participate in the 2017 Americans for Safe Access Unity Conference?
Sponsor a scholarship. Your scholarship will make the difference in supporting work to encourage and educate public officials about medical cannabis and holding down the front lines! Send people to learn how to become patient advocates in your states and many others! Contact unity2017@safeaccessnow.org for more information.
Attend the ASA conference and become an advocate yourself! Many attendees of ASA conferences have become leaders in passing medical cannabis laws in their home states! You will meet and learn from other business owners, patient advocates, and researchers invested in the fight. To learn more and register visit
Thanks for being a part of the ASA family and I hope to see you in Washington D.C. in April!
Best,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director, Americans for Safe Access
Safe Access Now
P.S. Check out my editorial on The Hill where I talk about the "discredited gateway theory."
Showing posts with label americans for safe access. Show all posts
Showing posts with label americans for safe access. Show all posts
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Americans For Safe Access sue the DEA
From American For Safe Access:
Today, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) took a major step to stop the DEA’s misinformation campaign on cannabis once and for all. And as an ASA member, you helped make it happen!
ASA filed a new petition under the Information Quality Act (IQA) on behalf of our members that could force the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to update its outdated and unscientific information about medical cannabis. If this new effort is successful, it will be a watershed moment in the effort to end the conflict between federal and state law. This important step will also mean politicians will no longer be able to use this misinformation to fight against medical cannabis.
ASA has worked with the prestigious international law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe to file the petition on behalf of our 100,000 members nationwide. U.S. Department of Justice guidelines require a response to IQA petitions within 60 days of filing. That means that the Obama Administration can still act on our members’ IQA petition and instruct the DEA to grant the request before Inauguration Day on January 20th.
The IQA requires federal agencies to employ reliable and sound science when making regulations and disseminating information. It also provides a mechanism for people and companies to challenge government information they believe to be inaccurate. Business, consumer, environmental and conservation groups have all used the IQA to pursue changes in government policies. Now is our chance to use this tool to make a real difference in federal policy.
Forcing a change in federal policy towards medical cannabis before Obama leaves could make all the difference when it comes to rescheduling and changing federal law during the new Administration.
ASA cites 25 violations under the IQA, alleging that the DEA website currently contains inaccurate statements that do not meet informational standards required by the law. Making matters worse, the DEA continues to distribute statements about the efficacy of medical cannabis and its risks, which have been refuted by the DEA itself in the recent “Denial of Petition to Initiate Proceedings to Reschedule Marijuana,” issued August 12, 2016. If this petition is successful, it means that the DEA will no longer be able to use misinformation about cannabis on issues such as the gateway drug hypothesis, irreversible cognitive decline in adults, and how cannabis can be linked to psychosis or lung cancer to deny patients access to medical cannabis.
If you want to be a part of history, it is not too late to join ASA and be a part of this amazing moment. If you are already a member, you can also help by making a generous one-time donation or affordable monthly contribution to help us fight for your IQA petition – all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. Please know, we cannot do this without you!
Now is the time to act! We need all ASA members and allies to join together and take the offensive in the effort to finally change federal medical cannabis policies. Do not miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference in medical cannabis policy!
We need all of our voices to be heard to get this petition approved right now or in the federal courts next year. Please contribute today to support this effort.
Thank you in advance for being a part of the IQA campaign. Together, we are getting closer and closer to our goal – safe and legal access to medical cannabis for everyone who needs it.
Regards,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director, Americans For Safe Access
For more information on the IQA petition please refer to this webpage.
P.S. – You can make a tax-deductible contribution to support the educational and legal work of Americans for Safe Access Foundation, including the IQA petition campaign, online or by mailing a check or money order to Americans for Safe Access Foundation, 1624 U Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009.
Today, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) took a major step to stop the DEA’s misinformation campaign on cannabis once and for all. And as an ASA member, you helped make it happen!
ASA filed a new petition under the Information Quality Act (IQA) on behalf of our members that could force the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to update its outdated and unscientific information about medical cannabis. If this new effort is successful, it will be a watershed moment in the effort to end the conflict between federal and state law. This important step will also mean politicians will no longer be able to use this misinformation to fight against medical cannabis.
ASA has worked with the prestigious international law firm Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe to file the petition on behalf of our 100,000 members nationwide. U.S. Department of Justice guidelines require a response to IQA petitions within 60 days of filing. That means that the Obama Administration can still act on our members’ IQA petition and instruct the DEA to grant the request before Inauguration Day on January 20th.
The IQA requires federal agencies to employ reliable and sound science when making regulations and disseminating information. It also provides a mechanism for people and companies to challenge government information they believe to be inaccurate. Business, consumer, environmental and conservation groups have all used the IQA to pursue changes in government policies. Now is our chance to use this tool to make a real difference in federal policy.
Forcing a change in federal policy towards medical cannabis before Obama leaves could make all the difference when it comes to rescheduling and changing federal law during the new Administration.
ASA cites 25 violations under the IQA, alleging that the DEA website currently contains inaccurate statements that do not meet informational standards required by the law. Making matters worse, the DEA continues to distribute statements about the efficacy of medical cannabis and its risks, which have been refuted by the DEA itself in the recent “Denial of Petition to Initiate Proceedings to Reschedule Marijuana,” issued August 12, 2016. If this petition is successful, it means that the DEA will no longer be able to use misinformation about cannabis on issues such as the gateway drug hypothesis, irreversible cognitive decline in adults, and how cannabis can be linked to psychosis or lung cancer to deny patients access to medical cannabis.
If you want to be a part of history, it is not too late to join ASA and be a part of this amazing moment. If you are already a member, you can also help by making a generous one-time donation or affordable monthly contribution to help us fight for your IQA petition – all the way to the Supreme Court, if necessary. Please know, we cannot do this without you!
Now is the time to act! We need all ASA members and allies to join together and take the offensive in the effort to finally change federal medical cannabis policies. Do not miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to make a difference in medical cannabis policy!
We need all of our voices to be heard to get this petition approved right now or in the federal courts next year. Please contribute today to support this effort.
Thank you in advance for being a part of the IQA campaign. Together, we are getting closer and closer to our goal – safe and legal access to medical cannabis for everyone who needs it.
Regards,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director, Americans For Safe Access
For more information on the IQA petition please refer to this webpage.
P.S. – You can make a tax-deductible contribution to support the educational and legal work of Americans for Safe Access Foundation, including the IQA petition campaign, online or by mailing a check or money order to Americans for Safe Access Foundation, 1624 U Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Don't let the Feds resume arrests of medical marijuana patients
From Americans For Safe Access:
As a medical cannabis advocate, you are probably aware that the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget has been helping defendants win in federal court. Beginning with the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana ruling last October, to dropping the case against Harborside this May, to the McIntosh victory in the 9th Circuit last month, the amendment has been protecting safe and legal access for patients. The amendment was passed in 2014 and 2015 thanks in part to the support and efforts of medical cannabis activists like you!
Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted overwhelming to include it in next DOJ budget. However, the amendment is set to expire at the end of September and the House has yet to vote on it. If the amendment expires, the federal prosecutions against those obeying their state medical cannabis laws could resume once again.
You can help by sending an email to your representative thanking them for voting yes last year or to encourage those who voted no to take another look at the issue. Also contact your Senators and tell them to extend these protections for another year.
As a medical cannabis advocate, you are probably aware that the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment to the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) budget has been helping defendants win in federal court. Beginning with the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana ruling last October, to dropping the case against Harborside this May, to the McIntosh victory in the 9th Circuit last month, the amendment has been protecting safe and legal access for patients. The amendment was passed in 2014 and 2015 thanks in part to the support and efforts of medical cannabis activists like you!
Earlier this year, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted overwhelming to include it in next DOJ budget. However, the amendment is set to expire at the end of September and the House has yet to vote on it. If the amendment expires, the federal prosecutions against those obeying their state medical cannabis laws could resume once again.
You can help by sending an email to your representative thanking them for voting yes last year or to encourage those who voted no to take another look at the issue. Also contact your Senators and tell them to extend these protections for another year.
Friday, June 24, 2016
Support medical marijuana at the federal level,support the CARERS Act
From Americans For Safe Access:
We can end the federal prohibition on medical cannabis this year, but we need your help.
We have so much to be excited for this year in medical cannabis, and the current political landscape is more favorable than it has ever been. But we are at a crossroads. The 2016 Presidential Election right around the corner, and many of the victories we have won in the past few years could be rolled back by a new Administration.
Our work is not done. Millions of Americans still do not have access to safe and legal medical cannabis, and with the uncertainty of 2017, we could see the return of massive federal raids and imprisonment. We are more determined than ever to bring safe and legal access to all Americans, and we now have a real solution on the table.
The Solution
The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act is the most comprehensive piece of cannabis legislation ever introduced in Congress. The CARERS Act will end the state-federal conflict over medical cannabis law with far-reaching outcomes. When adopted, the bill will end federal interference is state medical cannabis programs, reschedule cannabis, facilitate research, create legal access for veterans, and more.
The CARERS Act is gaining momentum in the Senate. Judiciary Committee members Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Al Franken (D-MN) have signed on. However, the bill in stalled in the Committee, because Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) refuses to allow a vote on the bill.
The Plan
Despite the Senator’s position, we are not giving up hope. If the CARERS Act gets a fair vote, we are sure it will pass. ASA has developed a strategic plan to push Senator Grassley to allow a vote. Using media, grassroots action, and educational events, we can pass the CARERS Act before the election.
We held a press conference in Iowa last week to kick off our petition drive. We are going door-to-door to gather signatures urging Senator Grassley to allow a vote on the CARERS Act. ASA will deliver the signatures from Iowans later this summer.
More than fifty Congressional offices participated in a special legislative briefing hosted by ASA on the CARERS Act yesterday. Participants included Congressional leaders like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), lead CARERS Act sponsor Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Senator Mark Madsen (R-UT), policy experts, and patients.
How YOU Can Help
This is only the beginning. If you think that we are on the right path, we need your help right now. ASA needs to deploy resources to continue to move this campaign forward. Will you help us raise an additional $25,000 per month between now and January 4, 2017, to make it happen? Your contribution of $5, $20, $50 or $100 will put us that much closer to raising the funds we need.
There is another way you can help, too...Sign the CARERS Act petition,demand Grassley hold a hearing, collect petition signatures and/or share the CARERS Act Fact sheet.
We are so close to our goal. As a grassroots organization, we rely on our members and supporters to win major victories. Anything you can contribute helps. Make a generous one time donation or an affordable monthly contribution right now click here. Together we can make 2016 the year we finally end the federal prohibition on medical cannabis!
We can end the federal prohibition on medical cannabis this year, but we need your help.
We have so much to be excited for this year in medical cannabis, and the current political landscape is more favorable than it has ever been. But we are at a crossroads. The 2016 Presidential Election right around the corner, and many of the victories we have won in the past few years could be rolled back by a new Administration.
Our work is not done. Millions of Americans still do not have access to safe and legal medical cannabis, and with the uncertainty of 2017, we could see the return of massive federal raids and imprisonment. We are more determined than ever to bring safe and legal access to all Americans, and we now have a real solution on the table.
The Solution
The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States (CARERS) Act is the most comprehensive piece of cannabis legislation ever introduced in Congress. The CARERS Act will end the state-federal conflict over medical cannabis law with far-reaching outcomes. When adopted, the bill will end federal interference is state medical cannabis programs, reschedule cannabis, facilitate research, create legal access for veterans, and more.
The CARERS Act is gaining momentum in the Senate. Judiciary Committee members Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Al Franken (D-MN) have signed on. However, the bill in stalled in the Committee, because Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) refuses to allow a vote on the bill.
The Plan
Despite the Senator’s position, we are not giving up hope. If the CARERS Act gets a fair vote, we are sure it will pass. ASA has developed a strategic plan to push Senator Grassley to allow a vote. Using media, grassroots action, and educational events, we can pass the CARERS Act before the election.
We held a press conference in Iowa last week to kick off our petition drive. We are going door-to-door to gather signatures urging Senator Grassley to allow a vote on the CARERS Act. ASA will deliver the signatures from Iowans later this summer.
More than fifty Congressional offices participated in a special legislative briefing hosted by ASA on the CARERS Act yesterday. Participants included Congressional leaders like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), lead CARERS Act sponsor Senator Corey Booker (D-NJ), Senator Mark Madsen (R-UT), policy experts, and patients.
How YOU Can Help
This is only the beginning. If you think that we are on the right path, we need your help right now. ASA needs to deploy resources to continue to move this campaign forward. Will you help us raise an additional $25,000 per month between now and January 4, 2017, to make it happen? Your contribution of $5, $20, $50 or $100 will put us that much closer to raising the funds we need.
There is another way you can help, too...Sign the CARERS Act petition,demand Grassley hold a hearing, collect petition signatures and/or share the CARERS Act Fact sheet.
We are so close to our goal. As a grassroots organization, we rely on our members and supporters to win major victories. Anything you can contribute helps. Make a generous one time donation or an affordable monthly contribution right now click here. Together we can make 2016 the year we finally end the federal prohibition on medical cannabis!
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