District Court Judge Christopher Cross ruled that the city of Centennial, CO, should not have closed a medical cannabis dispensary there, because patients have a right to buy medicine – not just to use it. The dispensary filed a lawsuit after the city forced the facility to close earlier this year. This is an important step in protecting safe access for patients in Colorado. Let’s hope courts in other medical cannabis states follow Judge Corss’ lead in placing patients’ rights ahead of federal drug laws.

Today, the Court of Appeal for the Fourth Appellate District continued the case of Qualified Patients Association v. City of Anaheim into the indefinite future.  The Court requested additional briefing from all parties and amici on the significance of the Medical Marijuana Program Act’s exemption of collectives from state laws relating to nuisances.  In particular, the court wants the parties to address whether the legislative intent of the Medical Marijuana Program Act was to preempt municipalities from banning dispensaries. Americans for Safe Access will respond with a brief by January 15th.

The world is changing, and you are making it happen!

Today, medical associations like the American Medical Association, The College of Physicians, and the National Board of Pharmacies are weighing in on cannabis therapeutics as a medical option.

The new administration has set policies to stop federal interference with our state laws. States are embracing real access models. The CA Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court have confirmed that federal laws do not preempt state medical cannabis laws.  Congress is pushing for Department of Justice oversight through legislation and political pressure.

And finally, Congress has lifted the ban on the DC medical marijuana laws, which means I will no longer be a criminal in my home!

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Last week, ASA was in Tucson, AZ, to discuss medical cannabis with pharmacists and drug regulators from around the nation.  What a great event!  ASA applauds the wisdom, courage and foresight of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy for organizing the full-day symposium, and I am confident the presentations will inform meaningful dialogue among NABP’s member boards and individual pharmacists in the months and years to come.

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