|
Dear Friend,
 Around this time last year we were
immersed in planning for 2020. Well, it turned out planning could
never have accounted for what would turn our year upside-down. The
Pandemic and accompanying economic recession have required us to
reorganize, restrategize and adapt all of our 2020 plans. Despite
those challenges, we are so very proud of all we were able to
accomplish this year.
Below are a few of my favorite ASA accomplishments from 2020:
- When many businesses were ordered close due to COVID-19, ASA
immediately sprung into action sending a letter to elected
officials and state medical cannabis program directors urging them
to take action to protect patient access and the medical cannabis
supply chain by classifying cannabis businesses as “essential
services.” Other recommendations requested included tax relief for
patients and cannabis businesses, guidance for dispensaries on
temporary changes such as deliveries and increased purchase limits,
and extension of program identification card expiration dates. This
advocacy resulted in medical cannabis being declared “essential” by 28
states with many of ASA’s recommendations adopted, improving the lives
of patients sheltering at home.
- We also unveiled a new report on best approaches to resolving the
conflict of laws between the federal and state governments regarding
medical cannabis. The report, Ending
the Federal Conflict: Changing the Paradigm on Medical Cannabis,
calls for either descheduling cannabis or rescheduling it to a new
classification that would allow for cannabis to be used as a frontline
medication. The report also urges the creation of a new federal
agency, the Office of Medical Cannabis Control (OMCC) that would have
centralized regulatory authority over medical cannabis research,
production, and distribution. This policy goal is a major objective
for us in 2021.
- Thanks to the rapid response of ASA’s advocates who sent hundreds
of messages to our UN delegation with only a few hours warning, and,
of course, our long-standing advocacy efforts at the UN, the
UN removed cannabis from Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances
Act, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health
Organization. This recognition of cannabis’ medical importance will
pave the way for further cannabis research and shift the international
conversation about cannabis into a much more medical direction.
I could go on and on about how proud I am of the work of ASA’s
staff, members and supporters whose advocacy makes this possible but
if you’d like to read a lot more about all we were able to accomplish
during a global pandemic, please take
a look at our complete list of 2020 accomplishments.
We wouldn’t be able to accomplish any of this without the donations
and membership dues of supporters and advocates who support our work.
We so appreciate the businesses that sponsor our work, however, the
majority of our donations come from people like you who truly
appreciate our work and give what they can.
Thank you for all you do!
Debbie Churgai, Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/
|
