Urge Gov. Reynolds to allow home delivery of cannabidiol. Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration has taken some steps to preserve safe access to medical cannabidiol during this time of social distancing: Iowa’s medical cannabidiol program is allowing curbside pickup during the pandemic and is encouraging telemedicine consultations. However, we are disappointed the governor has not taken other steps, including allowing home delivery. Please take a moment to urge the governor to allow home delivery during…

The University of Utah Health and the University of California San Diego recently announced separate plans to begin new phases of research on medical marijuana. In Utah, the study will focus on the individual effects of cannabinoids on brain processes, while UC San Diego researchers will probe possible treatments for autism with marijuana. Both projects have been made possible by grants from the Ray and Tye Noorda Foundation in partnership with the Wholistic Research and Education Foundation. The…

Last week, the Iowa Legislature approved HF 524, extending and expanding the state's existing cannabidiol program. Now, all the bill needs is a signature from the governor to become law. Although the Senate approved a full medical marijuana bill that allowed as much THC as patients might need, the House has lagged behind. HF 524 includes a 3% cap on THC. We are disappointed at the limits of the final bill, but it is still an important step forward. If passed, patients suffering from illnesses such…

Last week, the South Dakota State Senate passed Senate Bill 95, which would remove cannabidiol, or CBD oil, from the definition of marijuana and make it a Schedule IV controlled substance under state law. However, the bill included a requirement that CBD oil be approved by the Food and Drug Administration, which would indefinitely curtail access to CBD oil in South Dakota. On March 2, the House Health and Human Services Committee approved SB 95 by a vote of 7-3 and added an amendment eliminating…

The Virginia General Assembly is in full swing, and lawmakers have already considered several marijuana policy reform bills. Sen. Adam Ebbin’s SB 1091 — which would end the automatic six-month driver’s license suspension for first offense possession of marijuana — was approved by the Senate on Friday. Last year, the General Assembly approved a bill to allow in-state production of cannabidiol oil for patients with intractable epilepsy. However, to become law, that bill — Sen. Dave Marsden’s SB 1027…

On Thursday, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) announced in a press release that they had received approval to study the effects of marijuana on treating PTSD in veterans. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has formally approved the first-ever randomized controlled trial of whole plant medical marijuana (cannabis) as a treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. The DEA’s approval marks the first time a clinical trial intended to…

GOP Congressman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania introduced a bill today that would make CBD oil legal under federal law. [caption id="attachment_7915" align="alignright" width="183"] Rep. Scott Perry[/caption] If passed, the "Charlotte's Web Medical Hemp Act of 2014" would allow states to permit patients suffering from epilepsy and related conditions to use an oil that is extremely low in THC but high in cannabidiol, or CBD. Under current federal law, any product made from marijuana is illegal. It is…

[caption id="attachment_7868" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Jay Nixon[/caption] Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed a limited medical marijuana bill into law yesterday. HB 2238 allows some patients with intractable epilepsy access to products containing marijuana extracts. Those extracts must be limited primarily to a non-psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant called cannabidiol, or CBD. Many believe high-CBD marijuana extracts are effective in helping alleviate severe seizure conditions…

[caption id="attachment_7635" align="alignright" width="185"] Lydia Schaeffer[/caption] Tragically, Lydia Schaeffer (aged 7) passed away on Mother’s Day from a rare genetic disorder called Kleefstra syndrome, which causes terrible seizures and other complications. Her plight inspired lawmakers in Wisconsin to legalize a marijuana extract to treat her condition, despite their opposition to a broader medical marijuana reform. Sally Schaeffer, Lydia’s mother, lobbied the state legislature to legalize…

On Thursday, the Florida House voted 111-7 in support of a bill that will exempt a limited group of very sick people from criminal laws for using marijuana that is low in THC and high in CBD if certain requirements are met. Gov. Rick Scott has stated that he’ll sign the bill if the Senate agrees to the House version today. Please email your lawmakers today and thank them for recognizing marijuana’s medical benefits. [caption id="attachment_7594" align="alignright" width="200"] Gov. Rick Scott[/caption] The…