The National MS Society is “in the process of gathering information that will help us understand what needs to happen and what needs to  change to help people affected by MS keep moving their lives forward. This data will help guide the Society’s direction for the next five years.”

Do you or someone you know use cannabis to control the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis? If so, we invite you to complete the National MS Society survey and use the opportunity to highlight your experiences with medical cannabis.

Last year, the National MS Society issued an opinion paper concerning the Society’s Recommendations regarding the use of cannabis in MS. The report suggests that cannabis may have the potential to treat the symptoms of MS and limit the progression of the disease, but stopped short of recommending that MS patients use the drug.

The MS Society wants to hear from you. Be sure to make your voices heard! It’s important for our readers living with MS to participate in the NMSS survey, and, when possible, please share your knowledge of or experiences with the therapeutic use of cannabis.

Recent Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) activity in Lake County, Los Angeles, and Colorado is cause for concern for medical cannabis patients and advocates. We hoped that federal raids were over when the White House and US Attorney General Eric Holder signaled a willingness to develop a new policy on medical cannabis earlier this year. The circumstances for each of the recent raids differ, but each illustrates a need for the Administration to move more quickly in crafting and implementing that new policy.

This week, the California Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 14 (SJR 14), a resolution authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and sponsored by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) that calls for specific changes in federal law. SJR 14 calls for an end to federal interference and intimidation, an affirmative defense for medical cannabis defendants in federal court, and an end to barriers to scientific research. The resolution also calls on the President and Congress to develop a comprehensive federal policy to protect every patient in the United States who uses cannabis to treat HIV/AIDS, cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, chronic pain, or other serious illness.

SJR 14 is part of a strategic plan at ASA to coordinate state and federal advocacy at an historic moment in history. We are far from finished with this work, and we can expect more DEA raids and other federal intimidation before we succeed in harmonizing federal law with state law. But we should not be discouraged that the promise of the new federal policy is still unfulfilled. We are making progress. DEA raids have diminished dramatically from the dark days of the Bush Administration, federal threats against property owners in California have stopped altogether, and we are even seeing movement in Congress.

After the California Assembly approves SJR 14, ASA staff and members will work hard to be sure that Democratic leaders in the US Congress have the California legislature’s instruction in mind when they consider new legislation like US Representative Barney Frank’s HR 2835. That bill will would provide federal legal protections for all qualified patients and caregivers in states that have legalized the use of medical cannabis, as well as any entity authorized under local or state law to distribute medical cannabis.

SJR 14 is one example of how ASA’s strategic coordination can make a difference nationwide. Do not be discouraged when medical cannabis opponents push back. Our persistent work is paying off, and you are helping to make a difference.

Last week, the Drug enforcement Administration (DEA) collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to raid Organica, a medical cannabis dispensing collective (dispensary) in Los Angeles.

The only excuse provided by authorities was that the dispensary had failed to pay sales tax — hardly a reason for federal agents to carry out a paramilitary-style raid. (more…)

The mark of a stellar advocate is knowing how (and when) to seize the right moment.

Consider the following exchange between a medical marijuana advocate who attended Congresswoman Susan Davis’ Healthcare Town Hall meeting, and asked the following question:

Kudos to ASA advocate Seth Aronson for your excellent work.  Taking advantage of timing and opportunity is a lesson every advocate can learn from this video.  It is vital that advocates use the opportunities available to publicly highlight and confirm their elected officials’ positions on the issues that matter most -  in this case medical marijuana.   Keep up the great work Seth!

Many thanks, also, to Congresswoman Davis for her continued support on medical marijuana and the the courage to answer the question.

Last month, Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske came under fire for his statement, reported in the Fresno Bee, that marijuana “has no medicinal value.” Giving him the chance to clear up any confusion on the matter, KOMO TV aired a follow-up interview today with Kerlikowske. The Drug Czar had this to say:

Sometimes you make a mistake and you work very hard to correct it. That happens. I should’ve clearly said ‘smoked’ marijuana and then gone on to say that this is clearly a question that should be answered by the medical community.

Kerlikowske also said:

[T]he FDA has not determined that smoked marijuana has a (medical) value…

Although it’s nice to see a correction to his previous statement, and leaving it to the medical community is favorable to harmful and unnecessary law enforcement actions, the Drug Czar’s position is still problematic. (more…)

A Request for Proposals issued yesterday by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the “Production, Analysis, & Distribution of Cannabis & Marijuana Cigarettes” begged the question of whether the federal government was getting into the business of cultivating and distributing medical cannabis. The answer is both “yes” and “no.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations having the capability to (1) grow, harvest, analyze, store and distribute GMP grade cannabis (marijuana) on large and small scales; (2) extract cannabis to obtain purified phytocannabinoids including delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), analyze, and store; (3) prepare marijuana cigarettes and related products; and (4) distribute marijuana, marijuana cigarettes and cannabinoids, and other related products for research and other Government programs upon NIDA authorization.

The truth is the federal government has a schizophrenic position on the issue. (more…)

Americans for Safe Access (ASA) and the Greater Los Angeles Collective Alliance (GLACA) published a white paper entitled “Advancing Medical Cannabis Regulations in Los Angeles” today. The report discusses the legal basis for collectives and cooperatives, the need for and benefits of regulation, and recommendations for sensible polices in the city. The timing of this report is significant. City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is currently reviewing an as yet un-circulated draft ordinance prepared by city staff, and his report and recommendations will have a profound impact on the final regulations. (more…)