Medical Marijuana

On July 25, Representatives Andy Harris, M.D. (R-MD-01), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19) introduced H.R. 3391 (the Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2017).

The Medical Marijuana Research Act of 2017 amends the Controlled Substances Act to make marijuana accessible for use by qualified marijuana researchers for medical purposes, and for other purposes.

Under present law, clinical investigations involving cannabis must meet approval from various federal agencies, including the DEA, the FDA, and the NIDA. Only cannabis provided by the NIDA may be used in clinical trials.

Please contact your members of the US House and Senate and urge their support for these important measures. 

During the regular legislative session, more than half of the Texas House, including three out of four physicians, signed onto a bill that would have made the Compassionate Use Program more inclusive. They answered the cries of patients and caregivers who know the benefits cannabis can provide.

All at once, you can tell your legislators to call upon Governor Abbott to add medical cannabis to the list of topics that can be considered during the special session and send a message right to the Governor.  

In 29 states (accounting for 62% of Americans), patients with debilitating medical conditions are allowed access to cannabis if their doctors think it will help alleviate their suffering. Texas is not among those 29 states, meaning that we have less freedom than most of our countrymen, including those in Arkansas, North Dakota, and New Mexico. Safe and legal access to medical cannabis for seriously ill patients is supported by more than 80% of Texans, according to the University of Texas.

Send a message now to ask them to add this important topic to the list of issues to be addressed by the Legislature.

Senate Update: The Senate Appropriations Committee is passed the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment on Thursday, July 27th by a voice vote. 
House Update: The House Appropriations Committee released its 2018 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill, which determines the funding levels for numerous federal agencies, including the Department of Justice. Predictably, the bill does not include language — known as the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment — limiting the Justice Department from taking action against state-sanctioned medical cannabis producers, retailers, or consumers.

Representatives Blumenauer and Rohrabacher released the following statement in reponse: 

“The policy championed by Representatives Blumenauer and Rohrabacher that prevents the Department of Justice from interfering in the ability of states to implement legal medical marijuana laws (previously known as “Rohrabacher-Farr”) has never been included in the base Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Subcommittee Appropriations bill. Rather, in previous years, Congress has amended the base CJS bill to include these protections.

We are exactly where we thought we would be in the legislative process and look forward to amending the underlying bill once again this year to make sure medical marijuana programs, and the patients who rely on them, are protected. Voters in states across the country have acted to legalize medical marijuana. Congress should not act against the will of the people who elected us.”

Congress re-authorized the amendment as part of a short term government spending package on May 5th, 2017. This bill extends federal funding through September 30, 2017, at which time the appropriation — and the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer amendment — will expire.

Initially enacted by Congress in 2014, the amendment maintains that federal funds cannot be used to prevent states from “implementing their own state laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana.”
According to recently released nationwide survey data, the majority of Americans are on our side. A whopping 94 percent support the medical use of marijuana. Perhaps most importantly, 71 percent of voters — including strong majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and Independents — say that they “oppose the government enforcing federal laws against marijuana in states that have already legalized medical or recreational marijuana.”

This amendment is strongly supported by both voters and lawmakers and ensures the safety of millions of patients. Congress must not turn its back on those millions of Americans who rely on these state-authorized programs for their health and wellness. 
Send a message to your Senators uring them to support and advocate for medical marijuana patients with the form below. 

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed the Compassionate Use Program, allowing those with intractable epilepsy to access medical cannabis to treat their seizures. 
Because of cannabis’ status as a Schedule I drug under Federal law, it cannot be “prescribed.” It can, however, be recommended and patients can be formally certified by doctors through the state registry. This small change does not expand the program, it simply corrects a small error and provides protection for participating doctors.
An amendment introduced by Rep. Lucio III’s would make this change, thus protecting doctors and bringing Texas state law in line with federal requirements. 
Please enter your information below to contact your lawmakers in support of this effort. 

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed the Compassionate Use Program, allowing those with intractable epilepsy to access medical cannabis to treat their seizures. 
Because of cannabis’ status as a Schedule I drug under Federal law, it cannot be “prescribed.” It can, however, be recommended and patients can be formally certified by doctors through the state registry. This small change does not expand the program, it simply corrects a small error and provides protection for participating doctors.
An amendment introduced by Rep. Lucio III’s would make this change, thus protecting doctors and bringing Texas state law in line with federal requirements. 
Please enter your information below to contact your lawmakers in support of this effort. 

Legislation is pending for the 2017-2018 legislative session to regulate the use, growing, and distribution of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes.

The measure, sponsored by Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison), permits adults to possess and grow personal use quantities of cannabis, and to possess marijuana-related paraphernalia. It also establishes regulations for the commercial production and retail sale of marijuana to anyone over the age of 21. Public use of cannabis is subject to a $100 civil fine.

The bill also establishes a regulated system for the production and distribution of cannabis for medical purposes. It further prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of their off-the-job use of cannabis, and mandates insurance providers to provide coverage for patients’ use of medical marijuana.

Enter your information below to contact your lawmakers and urge them to support this important legislation.