Pinch
Well-Known Member
An email received today from Americans for Safe Access.
1322 Webster Street, Ste. 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-251-1856
Fax: 510-251-2036
Prestigious Science Magazine
Supports ASA's Federal Lawsuit
Dear ASA Supporter,
The chorus of voices advocating for the efficacy of medical cannabis just got louder – a lot louder. Former FDA Commissioner and Editor-in-Chief of Science, Dr. Don Kennedy, authored an editorial on medical cannabis in this week's edition of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) publication. With an estimated readership of over one million, Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. ASA needs your support right now to be sure the voices of this growing chorus are heard in the courts and in the halls of Congress. Please donate now to help make a difference.
The AAAS concluded that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) violated its own guidelines regarding information quality when it rejected the petition filed by ASA challenging the agency’s position on medical cannabis. Dr. Kennedy’s article characterizes our conflict with HHS as “an important chapter in the relationship between law and science.” This editorial is a big victory for patients, doctors, and researchers seeking an end to the harmful federal policy.
Read what Dr. Kennedy’s editorial says to one million readers about our DQA petition and lawsuit:
"...Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a group advocating marijuana availability for severely ill patients needing pain or nausea relief, petitioned the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the DQA in 2004. They alleged that HHS made false statements in its publications and its Web site, in particular that marijuana 'has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.' ASA cited an Institute of Medicine study that acknowledged benefits from the use of marijuana and cannabinoid derivatives and referenced double-blind clinical trials demonstrating relief from pain and vomiting. HHS delayed a response for months beyond its own deadline, rejected the petition, and then rejected the appeal.
"ASA finally brought its case to federal court, asking it to substitute for the agency's false statement one that says, 'Adequate and well-recognized studies show the efficacy of marijuana in the treatment of nausea, loss of appetite, pain and spasticity.' Will the judge make HHS change, giving ASA the injunctive relief it seeks? We'll have to wait to see whether this case turns the tables on DQA, but it's already clear that HHS has violated its own DQA guidelines--going, you might say, one toke over the line.”
The DQA lawsuit is currently pending before U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup. The government's response to ASA's complaint is due May 25, 2007, and the court is likely to hear oral arguments in July or August. Our case is strong given solid evidence like the 1999 Institute of Medicine report on medical cannabis and recent studies proving the efficacy of cannabis beyond scientific doubt. For materials filed in the case to date, see ASA's DQA page.
We need many more voices like the Editor-in-Chief of Science speaking out on our behalf while we fight the DQA lawsuit in federal court. That is why ASA is working every day to create proactive media, grow our capacity in Congress, and expand the national coalition advocating for medical cannabis. We want to go into this summer’s court battle with as much support in the media, Congress, and the public as possible.
Please help ASA carry on with important work like the DQA lawsuit. If just 10,000 patients, loved ones, or concerned citizens would pledge just $10, $20, or $50 per month, we could be sure this important work gets done. That is a tiny fraction of the millions of Americans who support medical cannabis. Visit our newly redesigned web site today to make your pledge and help us win this lawsuit. You will be making a real difference when you do.
Thank you for your generous support!
Sincerely,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
1322 Webster Street, Ste. 402
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-251-1856
Fax: 510-251-2036
Prestigious Science Magazine
Supports ASA's Federal Lawsuit
Dear ASA Supporter,
The chorus of voices advocating for the efficacy of medical cannabis just got louder – a lot louder. Former FDA Commissioner and Editor-in-Chief of Science, Dr. Don Kennedy, authored an editorial on medical cannabis in this week's edition of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) publication. With an estimated readership of over one million, Science has the largest paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world. ASA needs your support right now to be sure the voices of this growing chorus are heard in the courts and in the halls of Congress. Please donate now to help make a difference.
The AAAS concluded that the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) violated its own guidelines regarding information quality when it rejected the petition filed by ASA challenging the agency’s position on medical cannabis. Dr. Kennedy’s article characterizes our conflict with HHS as “an important chapter in the relationship between law and science.” This editorial is a big victory for patients, doctors, and researchers seeking an end to the harmful federal policy.
Read what Dr. Kennedy’s editorial says to one million readers about our DQA petition and lawsuit:
"...Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a group advocating marijuana availability for severely ill patients needing pain or nausea relief, petitioned the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the DQA in 2004. They alleged that HHS made false statements in its publications and its Web site, in particular that marijuana 'has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.' ASA cited an Institute of Medicine study that acknowledged benefits from the use of marijuana and cannabinoid derivatives and referenced double-blind clinical trials demonstrating relief from pain and vomiting. HHS delayed a response for months beyond its own deadline, rejected the petition, and then rejected the appeal.
"ASA finally brought its case to federal court, asking it to substitute for the agency's false statement one that says, 'Adequate and well-recognized studies show the efficacy of marijuana in the treatment of nausea, loss of appetite, pain and spasticity.' Will the judge make HHS change, giving ASA the injunctive relief it seeks? We'll have to wait to see whether this case turns the tables on DQA, but it's already clear that HHS has violated its own DQA guidelines--going, you might say, one toke over the line.”
The DQA lawsuit is currently pending before U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup. The government's response to ASA's complaint is due May 25, 2007, and the court is likely to hear oral arguments in July or August. Our case is strong given solid evidence like the 1999 Institute of Medicine report on medical cannabis and recent studies proving the efficacy of cannabis beyond scientific doubt. For materials filed in the case to date, see ASA's DQA page.
We need many more voices like the Editor-in-Chief of Science speaking out on our behalf while we fight the DQA lawsuit in federal court. That is why ASA is working every day to create proactive media, grow our capacity in Congress, and expand the national coalition advocating for medical cannabis. We want to go into this summer’s court battle with as much support in the media, Congress, and the public as possible.
Please help ASA carry on with important work like the DQA lawsuit. If just 10,000 patients, loved ones, or concerned citizens would pledge just $10, $20, or $50 per month, we could be sure this important work gets done. That is a tiny fraction of the millions of Americans who support medical cannabis. Visit our newly redesigned web site today to make your pledge and help us win this lawsuit. You will be making a real difference when you do.
Thank you for your generous support!
Sincerely,
Steph Sherer
Executive Director
Americans for Safe Access
