‘Peace for Patients’ is a project of Americans for Safe Access to demand Congress adopt federal laws to end the war on medical cannabis patients and their providers.
By Steph Sherer | Published in Americans for Safe Access
Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting patients to access medical cannabis with the recommendation of their doctor.
Over one million people in the US are legally using medical cannabis and public opinion polls demonstrate that 85% of Americans support the use of medical cannabis.
Despite widespread support, the Department of Justice continues to wastes upwards of $150,000 per day to wage war on state medical cannabis programs and destroy the lives of patients and their families.
In fact, it is estimated that in just five years, the Obama Administration has wasted upwards of $300 million in medical cannabis states, outspending what President George W. Bush spent in eight years by $100 million.
The Federal War on Patients
When the Department of Justice interferes with the implementation of these state and local laws, the effect is to punish medical cannabis patients who rely on licensed facilities to provide access to quality, lab-tested products.
The casualties in the war on medical cannabis are not criminal masterminds, but rather individual patients with Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Movement Disorders, Chronic Pain, AIDS, Glaucoma, PTSD, Arthritis and Gastrointestinal Disorders.
We are alarmed by the sharp increase of enforcement spending by the Department of Justice and concerned that without Congressional review, the Department will continue to waste resources without oversight.
It is time for ‘Peace for Patients.’ It is time to pass an amendment to CJS Appropriations that not a single penny would be spent on medical cannabis enforcement in states where it is legal.
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is ready to take our case for rescheduling medical cannabis to the US Supreme Court.
The largest patient advocacy organization in the nation will be filing an appeal in a few days to force the federal government to remove medical cannabis from the list of dangerous drugs with no medical value.
Rescheduling medical cannabis will make clinical research easier and move us much closer to a rational and compassionate federal policy and it may even help medical cannabis defendants in federal court.
This has been a long fight.
ASA joined a coalition effort to petition for rescheduling ten years ago when they successfully sued the Drug Enforcement Administration for their unreasonable delay in responding to that petition, and then challenged their denial in the DC District Court of Appeals.
The appellate court denied the group’s petition last year.
That means it is time to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
Legal battles like this are long and expensive. If you would like be a part of history and help change federal cannabis policy, consider contributing to the legal defense fund.
Download our fact sheet to read more about rescheduling medical cannabis.
Support Peace for Patients
We welcome support for ‘Peace for Patients’ from nonprofit advocacy organizations, medical and science professional organizations, and other small businesses concerned about ending the war on medical cannabis patients.
Get Involved: Here are actions you can take today
2. Engage your elected official: Download “What’s the Cost” report and use it to engage your Senator through letters, phone calls, and constituent meetings. Send a pre-written letter today just by entering your zip code
3. Become a Member: Join over 50,000 patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens as we fight to end the war on patients by becoming a member or donating today.
4. Spread the Word
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Share ASA’s social media posts online
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Invite your friends
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Post a photo of you or your friends and family holding a peace sign on social media using the hashtag #peace4patients
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Share your testimony about how medical marijuana has helped you
Tweet your officials asking for their support using the hashtag #peace4patients
