Tell your state senator you support S.167!

Despite having a medical marijuana program since 2018, Pennsylvania’s “zero tolerance” driving under the influence law still does not recognize the difference between medicinal and recreational cannabis use. This statutory oversight places unimpaired medical patients at risk of arrest, prosecution, and conviction every time they operate a motor vehicle, even when driving responsibly. Under current law, any amount of cannabis found in a driver’s system could result in a DUI charge, which carries a penalty of 72 hours of incarceration, a $1,000 minimum fine, and a 12-month license suspension for the first offense, with increased penalties for each subsequent DUI conviction.  

S.167, a bill sponsored by Sen. Camera Bartolotta (R), would amend current law to require proof of actual impairment — similar to the requirements for operating a vehicle while using prescription drugs — to form the basis for a DUI conviction. Thousands of Pennsylvanians have found relief for their chronic illnesses through the medical marijuana program, but until Title 75 is amended, patients will continue to risk arrest and conviction every day for using a substance that does not impair their ability to operate a vehicle.

That’s why we’re calling on Pennsylvania residents to write their state senators today and urge them to sign on as cosponsors to S.167 to remove DUI penalties for legal medical cannabis use. With your support, we can build the momentum needed to get this commonsense reform signed into law.

Thank you for taking action, and please stay tuned for additional updates throughout the 2021 legislative session. 

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SB 711 would legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina — write your elected officials and urge them to support the bill!

After many frustrating years of inaction, North Carolina legislators finally appear to be seriously considering cannabis policy reforms. Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Raleigh) acknowledged that “public opinion is changing” on the issue and indicated that the legislature may be willing to consider medical cannabis legislation.

Since both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Republicans, it is essential that members of both parties support the proposed reform. Encouragingly, Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Raleigh) has introduced SB 711, a bipartisan bill that would legalize medical cannabis for patients with debilitating medical conditions and establish an effective regulatory system.

Please write your elected officials today and urge them to support SB 711!

You can read a summary of SB 711 here.

This bill would make North Carolina the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis. A poll conducted by Elon University in late January 2021 found that 54% of North Carolina residents support legalizing cannabis for use by adults, and 73% support making cannabis legal for medical use.

After you write your state legislators, please share this important news with your family and friends!

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Ask your legislators to support allowing medical cannabis in its natural form.

On Monday, lawmakers returned to Baton Rouge for their 2021 legislative session. More than a dozen cannabis policy bills have been proposed — including bills to legalize cannabis and to allow flower cannabis in the state’s medical cannabis program.

Louisiana is one of only two states whose comprehensive medical cannabis program prohibits cannabis in its natural, whole-plant form. Extracts are more costly, so this puts medical cannabis out of reach of many Louisianans. Louisiana also prohibits inhaled marijuana — other than nebulizers — which also prevents many patients from using the mode of administration that works best for them. HB 391 would change that by adding raw, flower cannabis to Louisiana’s medical marijuana program.

Ask your legislators to support HB 391, to allow patients to use the form of cannabis that works best for them.

We are also encouraged that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have sponsored bills to legalize cannabis for all adults. Rep. Richard Nelson’s HB 524 would refer the question of legalization to voters in 2022, while Rep. Candace Newell’s HBs 243 and 637 would operate together to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis. Call your state lawmakers to let them know it’s past time Louisiana replace its failed war on marijuana with a more thoughtful approach.

Then, please spread the word so that other Louisianans can raise their voices for humane, sensible cannabis policies.

Thank you.

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Go to nebraskalegislature.gov to find your lawmaker and ask them to support LB 474.

Last night, I was on a Facebook Live event with Nebraskan Families for Medical Cannabis, a coalition of patients and parents of children with epilepsy who are fighting to pass a medical cannabis law in Nebraska. Hearing their stories drives home why it’s so important for every Nebraskan to contact their state senator about medical cannabis. Click below to watch the video:

These moms and patient advocates were leaders in the effort to put medical cannabis on the ballot last year, but sadly, the state Supreme Court issued a flawed ruling that prevented Nebraskans from voting on the issue. Now these families are asking you and all Nebraskans to join them in their effort to pass LB 474 — a bill that would establish a responsible system of safe, legal access to medical cannabis in Nebraska — through the state legislature.

With the vote coming up soon, lawmakers want to hear how their constituents feel about the issue. It takes less than five minutes to contact your elected representative and leave a message in support of LB 474. Go to nebraskalegislature.gov, type in your address, and look up your state senator’s contact information. Let them know who you are, where you live, and share a quick personal story explaining why you think patients shouldn’t be criminalized for using medical cannabis.

The medical cannabis bill recently advanced out of a legislative committee, and the entire state legislature will debate the bill soon. It’s crucial that you contact your senator now before they vote. 

Make your voice heard! Please take action now and support these patients and families who deserve a compassionate medical cannabis program. 

Thank you.

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It's time to act.

Politicians in Pierre are attempting to thwart the will of the voters and gut key parts of Measure 26. We need you to join in the fight with us right now. Here's how you can help:

1. Contact your state legislators. The first order of business is defeating House Bill 1100, which would severely delay implementation of the medical marijuana program. Click here to email and call your state senator and representative.
    
2. Meet with your legislators TOMORROW at constituent meetings happening around the state. Lawmakers are holding Legislative Coffees & Cracker Barrels tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 13). This is an opportunity to make your voice heard and let your legislators know that you want both voter initiatives implemented without delay or interference. Click here for details about the events tomorrow.
    
3. Sign the petition to Gov. Noem. The governor and her friends in the state legislature believe they can gut key provisions of Measure 26 because "the voters don't understand what they voted on." This is an insult to the 70% of South Dakotans who voted for Measure 26. Click here to let Gov. Noem know that you expect the will of the people to be respected.

We won't sit back while politicians attempt to trample on policies enacted by the people of South Dakota. This is where the rubber meets the road, and it's crucial that we hold the line.

Please take action now and share the details with your network by word-of-mouth and through social media.

Thank you.

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Share your story to help add ADHD, insomnia, and anxiety to Minnesota's medical cannabis program!

The Minnesota medical cannabis program is once again accepting petitions to add new qualifying medical conditions. This year, our allies at Sensible Minnesota — in partnership with MinnMed — are petitioning to add ADHD, insomnia, and anxiety.

Letters of support from healthcare professionals; individuals with ADHD, insomnia, or anxiety; and parents or guardians of minors with these conditions are needed! If you fall into one of these categories, share your perspective with our allies at Sensible Minnesota by sending them an email here. Sensible Minnesota will be submitting these letters of support along with the petition.

When Minnesota’s medical cannabis law passed in 2014, its list of qualifying conditions was among the most restrictive in the country — leaving behind huge numbers of patients. But, through several petitions, the program has expanded, allowing tens of thousands of additional patients to qualify. On August 1, chronic pain will be added to the program, thanks to last year’s petition that Sensible Minnesota spearheaded. In prior years, PTSD, intractable pain, autism, and obstructive sleep apnea were added by the health department.

Please forward this message to any of your friends, family, doctors, nurses, or others who may be interested in helping out. The deadline to submit petitions is July 31, so the clock is ticking! Act now to help expand Minnesota’s medical cannabis program.

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Good news! On Tuesday, the Connecticut Legislative Regulations Review Committee approved allowing medical cannabis to treat chronic pain — although it narrowly defined the term. The Board of Physicians recommended adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition on September 27, 2019. Previously, Connecticut was the only state medical marijuana program that did not permit patients to treat chronic pain with medical marijuana.

The revision permits medical marijuana to be recommended for adults with “chronic pain of at least six months duration associated with a specific underlying chronic condition refractory to other treatment intervention.” Unfortunately, that narrow definition means physicians can only recommend cannabis to patients who have sought treatment for their chronic pain for at least six months and whose pain has been resistant to other treatments.

The committee also approved the use of medical marijuana to treat Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, an inherited disorder that weakens the body’s connective tissue and leads to weakened blood vessels and organs.

While these revisions undoubtedly expand patients’ ability to use medical marijuana to treat their aliments, Connecticut will have one of the most restrictive chronic pain provisions in the country. Patients will have to suffer for months before trying cannabis and will first be steered to far more dangerous medications.

Earlier this year, a bill to allow any adult, 21 or older, to use cannabis stalled due to a COVID-related closure of the capitol. It’s our hope that the Connecticut Legislature takes up the issue of adult-use cannabis in a special session this year or during the 2021 regular session. Many individuals who suffer from conditions that can be treated with marijuana aren’t able to access medical marijuana cards.

Please join us by writing Gov. Ned Lamont to urge him to prioritize legalization. You can go the extra mile by spreading the word to others, calling his office at 860-566-4840, or making an appeal on Twitter.

We wish you and your loved ones well and thank you for your continued support.

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Great news! Last week, the Oklahoma state Senate amended and passed HB 3228, a major medical marijuana reform bill, with a 38-5 vote. The House had previously approved the legislation in March and accepted the Senate’s changes late on Friday. The bill has been transmitted to Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature.

The legislation allows out-of-state medical marijuana patients to obtain a renewable three-month temporary license and permits dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana to registered patients. Among other changes, it also eases penalties and removes jail time for first-time offenses for individuals found in possession of marijuana without a medical marijuana license.

Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program has flourished since voters approved the original law in 2018. With nearly 300,000 patients registered, the state Tax Commission reports that medical marijuana sales generate close to $10 million each month in state tax revenue.

State lawmakers are also looking to make Oklahoma one of the first states to implement the use of marijuana breathalyzers for roadside testing to identify drivers who may be impaired. During the pilot phase, results will not be admissible in court.

Stay tuned for more updates on marijuana policy reforms in Oklahoma.

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Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, advocates were working with lawmakers to push significant reforms to improve Rhode Island’s medical marijuana program and lower costs for patients. Now, with a serious economic downturn in the state, many patients are struggling with even greater financial hardships.

Due to public health concerns, the General Assembly has suspended its session, and it is unclear if or when legislators will reconvene. Under normal circumstances, the legislature would be holding public hearings and providing an opportunity to advocate for reforms at this time. This year, however, that may not be possible.

The Medical Marijuana Patients Coalition, led by two members of the medical marijuana legislative oversight committee, is coordinating with state regulators, compassion centers, and others involved in the medical marijuana program to find ways to help patients during these difficult times.

The group is circulating an anonymous survey for patient cardholders to gather information on how the COVID-19 situation is affecting them. The results will help identify which issues are impacting patients, which will guide advocacy efforts. If you are a medical cannabis patient, please consider responding to the survey. You can also help by sharing the survey with others on social media or forwarding them this email.

It’s encouraging to see patients finding ways to organize and help others despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.

Thank you.

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Urge your legislators to stop criminalizing cannabis consumers.

Today, Louisiana’s state lawmakers convene in Baton Rouge for their 2020 legislative session. Already more than a dozen bills are pending to improve the state’s cannabis policies.

Write your lawmakers to let them know you want 2020 to be the year Louisiana stops arresting cannabis consumers.

Proposals have been introduced to regulate marijuana for adults’ use, to allow local legalization, to decriminalize simple possession, and to improve the state’s medical marijuana program in various ways — including by allowing whole plant cannabis and expanding qualifying conditions.

Here’s a snapshot at some of the bills that have been introduced:

• Rep. Edmond Jordan’s HB 626 would set up a system of legal, regulated cannabis sales to adults 21 and older along with permits for personal cultivation. (Unfortunately, it does not appear to remove criminal penalties.)
• Rep. Ted James’ HB 546 would put a state constitutional amendment on Louisiana’s November 2020 ballot to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and older.
• Rep. Cedric Glover's HB 346 would put a state constitutional amendment on the November 2020 ballot to allow localities to legalize marijuana.
• Rep. C. Denise Marcelle’s HB 49 would reduce cannabis possession penalties, including by decriminalizing first-offense possession of up to 14 grams. The current penalty includes up to 15 days in jail.
• Rep. Ted James’ HB 385 would allow whole plant/flower medical cannabis.
• Rep. Ted James’ HB 386 would allow physicians to recommend cannabis for any condition that is debilitating to the individual patient
• Rep. Jeremy LaCombe’s HB 455 would allow people receiving hospice or palliative care to qualify for medical cannabis.
• Rep. Rodney Lyons’ HB 330 would add chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia as a qualifying condition.
• Rep. Joe Marino’s HB 158 would allow Alzheimer's, ALS, and a few other neurodegenerative diseases to qualify for medical cannabis.
• Sen. Gerald Boudreaux's SB 267 would remove the sunset on the medical cannabis program.

To weigh in on any of these bills, you can look up your legislator here and give them a call. Or you can use our automated system and rewrite the letter to focus on the issue(s) you care most about.

After voicing your support for marijuana policy reform, please spread the word so that others can join the chorus for humane and sensible marijuana laws!

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