Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
A group of bipartisan lawmakers are supporting legislation to protect medical marijuana patients from the likes of Attorney General Jeff Sessions and other drug warriors appointed by the Trump administration.
The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act was reintroduced on Thursday, which would prevent federal interference with states that have established their own marijuana policies, reports Rolling Stone.
The bill would stop federal law enforcement from prosecuting any patients, doctors, or caregivers abiding by state marijuana laws. States would officially be allowed to set their own pot policies, while Veteran's Affairs doctors would finally be able to recommend cannabis to their patients.
The bill is is supported by a diverse group of lawmakers that includes senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). A house version of the bill is sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn).
"Federal policy in this space has long overstepped the boundaries of common sense, fiscal prudence, and compassion," said Booker in a statement. "This bill will help ensure that people who can benefit from medical marijuana — children, the sick, and our veterans — can do so without worrying about the federal government standing in the way."
The CARERS Act initially made headlines in 2015 when senators Booker, Paul, and Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) unveiled it as the first medical marijuana bill introduced by the U.S. senate.
The bill is now supported by over 20 organizations that include the ACLU, Americans for Safe Access, Drug Policy Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Marijuana Policy Project, The American Cannabis Nurses Association, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, Veterans for Peace, and Veterans for Safe Access and Compassionate Care.
"With the only protection for these states set to expire with the federal budget in September, a permanent solution to this conflict is urgent and necessary," said Americans for Safe Access executive director Steph Sherer in a statement
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lawmakers reintroduce federal bill to protect medical marijuana - Smell the Truth
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: Contacts at San Francisco Chronicle - SFGate
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: SFGATE: San Francisco Bay Area - News, Bay Area news, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds - SFGate
The Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act was reintroduced on Thursday, which would prevent federal interference with states that have established their own marijuana policies, reports Rolling Stone.
The bill would stop federal law enforcement from prosecuting any patients, doctors, or caregivers abiding by state marijuana laws. States would officially be allowed to set their own pot policies, while Veteran's Affairs doctors would finally be able to recommend cannabis to their patients.
The bill is is supported by a diverse group of lawmakers that includes senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). A house version of the bill is sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn).
"Federal policy in this space has long overstepped the boundaries of common sense, fiscal prudence, and compassion," said Booker in a statement. "This bill will help ensure that people who can benefit from medical marijuana — children, the sick, and our veterans — can do so without worrying about the federal government standing in the way."
The CARERS Act initially made headlines in 2015 when senators Booker, Paul, and Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) unveiled it as the first medical marijuana bill introduced by the U.S. senate.
The bill is now supported by over 20 organizations that include the ACLU, Americans for Safe Access, Drug Policy Alliance, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Marijuana Policy Project, The American Cannabis Nurses Association, Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access, Veterans for Peace, and Veterans for Safe Access and Compassionate Care.
"With the only protection for these states set to expire with the federal budget in September, a permanent solution to this conflict is urgent and necessary," said Americans for Safe Access executive director Steph Sherer in a statement
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Lawmakers reintroduce federal bill to protect medical marijuana - Smell the Truth
Author: Oscar Pascual
Contact: Contacts at San Francisco Chronicle - SFGate
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: SFGATE: San Francisco Bay Area - News, Bay Area news, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Classifieds - SFGate
