Hawaii Lawmakers Approve Bill To Let Patients Access Medical Marijuana Immediately Instead Of Having To Wait For Registration Processing
Hawaii lawmakers have approved a bill to allow patients to immediately access medical cannabis once their registrations are submitted, instead of having to wait until their cards are delivered as is the case under current law. At a joint hearing of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and Commerce and Consumer Protections Committee on […]
Federal Budget Leaves Medical Cannabis Patients More Uncertain Than Ever (Op-Ed)
“True stability requires comprehensive federal legislation that creates a national medical cannabis framework to recognize cannabis-based therapies as part of modern healthcare.” By Steph Sherer, Americans for Safe Access Last week, the House Appropriations Committee declared victory, announcing: “More than 95 percent of the federal government is funded through full-year FY2026 appropriations—delivering stability, certainty, and […]
Washington House Passes Bill To Let Terminally Ill Patients Use Medical Cannabis In Hospitals
A bill to allow terminally ill patients in Washington State to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and hospices was approved by the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba (D), cleared the chamber in a vote of 89-6 and now heads to the Senate […]
Florida Lawmakers Approve Bill To Punish Medical Marijuana Patients For Having Open Containers Of Cannabis In Cars
“We are trying to make sure that we establish—like we did with alcohol—a taboo. It’s wrong. It has to stop.” By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix Citing statistics showing that impaired drivers contribute to more than 30 percent of fatalities on Florida roads, Jacksonville Republican Rep. Dean Black introduced legislation Thursday that would ban medical marijuana […]
Washington Bill To Let Seriously Ill Patients Use Medical Cannabis In Hospitals Advances
Washington State lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis in healthcare facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. The House Health Care & Wellness Committee advanced the legislation, sponsored by Rep. Shelley Kloba (D), in a 17-1 vote. “This bill here builds on what we […]
Hemp Farmers And Patients Who Rely On CBD Need More Than Just A Delay In The Looming Federal Ban (Op-Ed)
“Merely hitting pause does not protect public health; thoughtful regulation does.” By Sasha Kalcheff-Korn, Realm of Caring While some policymakers are proposing to delay impending hemp restrictions by extending the 2018 Farm Bill, this is just a band-aid and might ultimately create a significant missed opportunity. An extension may temporarily allow farmers to plant this […]
Missouri Regulators Move To Clarify Medical Marijuana Patients’ Purchasing Limits
“It is largely up to individuals and dispensaries to ensure they are in compliance with the portion of this rule related to purchases.” By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent Missouri cannabis regulators have changed their guidance on whether or not medical marijuana patients can purchase from licensed dispensaries as a regular consumer, following complaints over the […]
More Patients Sign Up For Texas Medical Marijuana Program As New Dispensary Licenses Are Issued
“We’re absolutely laser-focused on doctors, because they are really the patients’ first entry point into the program, by asking your physician if you qualify.” By Stephen Simpson, The Texas Tribune After lawmakers blunted expansion for years, Texas’s medical marijuana industry is slated to see more marijuana operators coming online, current ones opening more facilities and […]
Florida Patients Could Lose Medical Marijuana Registrations For Having Open Containers Of Cannabis In Cars Under New Legislation
The ban on the carry of open cannabis products applies to both drivers and passengers. By Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix Carrying an open package of medical marijuana, hemp or THC products, including beverages, in a car, would be illegal and could lead to suspension or possible revocation of a patient’s access to medical marijuana under […]
Patients Need More Medically Focused Cannabis Dispensaries (Op-Ed)
“If cannabis is medicine, why is the system built as if it were only a retail commodity?” By Jordan Tishler, MD, Association of Cannabinoid Specialists Currently, medical cannabis programs across the United States are dwindling. This is directly a result of these programs being deprioritized in favor of recreational programs and being regulated in a […]