Bay Area Americans for Safe Access

09/04/2026

Join us Tonight!

Federal Laws Have Changed. Policies & Stigma Haven’t: Navigating Medical Cannabis Rights & Discrimination in a New Era

Federal medical cannabis policy is changing, but the rules and practices patients encounter in everyday life may not change at the same pace. This program will help patients and caregivers understand the new federal framework, recognize where protections remain limited, and identify situations in healthcare, housing, employment, government programs, and other settings that may involve discrimination or inappropriate barriers to medical cannabis use.

As part of Patient Advocacy in Action: Tools for Cannabis Safety, ASA will guide participants through new resources to understand and assert patient rights, document incidents, request written explanations, and report medical cannabis discrimination. Participants will also learn how individual reports can help ASA identify broader patterns, educate institutions, and advocate for stronger protections.

Register to join the conversation and get the tools you need to understand the changing federal landscape and protect your rights.

Register here: www.safeaccessnow.org/navigating_medical_cannabis_in_a_new_era_webinar

Thank you, Cannabis Safety Month Volunteers, Sponsors, and Partners

U.S. Pain Foundation, Veterans Initiative 22, Realm of Caring Foundation, A THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVE, Kimberly Cargile, Aundre Speciale, American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) Cannabis Nurses Network, Georgia Medical Cannabis Society, Budist, San Diego Americans for Safe Access, Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, Connor Sheffield Foundation, Farmer Freeman, Azuca, Antonio Frazier, Mary Shapiro, Codi Peterson, Shelby Huffaker, MPH

www.safeaccessnow.org/cannabis_safety_month_2026

09/04/2026

Who is making cannabis safer?
Team Cannabis Safety is helping Americans for Safe Access identify the people, organizations, programs, products, research, innovations, and other efforts putting cannabis safety into practice.
The 2026 Cannabis Safety Awards recognize work advancing cannabis safety through education, research, consumer protection, responsible practices, public service, and practical solutions.
Who deserves to be recognized?
Nominations are open to everyone; self-nominations are welcome, and there is no fee. Nominations close September 8.
Nominate someone: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/2026_award_nominations
Learn more about Cannabis Safety Month: http://www.safeaccessnow.org/cannabis_safety_month_2026
For Safe Access

06/02/2026

Medical cannabis patients have waited decades for federal recognition. Now, patients and caregivers need clear tools to understand what has changed, claim their rights, and fight discrimination.

Americans for Safe Access has released a new guide, “Medical Cannabis Patients: Claim Your Federal Protections & Privileges,” to help patients and caregivers understand the new federal cannabis laws, stay prepared, document discrimination, and demand fair treatment in housing, healthcare, employment, disability accommodations, public benefits, federal services, and other areas of daily life.

Laws have changed. Stigma will delay implementation. Rights do not enforce themselves. Read the guide and help end medical cannabis patient discrimination: https://www.safeaccessnow.org/claim_federal_protections

05/22/2026

Check out UNMC/ASA's blog for cannabis businesses and the DEA regs:

What Cannabis Businesses Need to Know About DEA Registration

04/27/2026

Oh right... Patients!

Thanks, Ma*****na Moment, for publishing my Op-ed!
Read the full piece here: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/federal-marijuana-rescheduling-will-end-discrimination-in-housing-healthcare-and-employment-for-medical-cannabis-patients-op-ed/

If you want to know what patients are doing to gear up for Act 2: Join us Wednesday @ 8 pm: www.safeaccessnow.org/the_future_of_medical_cannabis_advocacy

and join us in DC May 13 & 14! https://www.safeaccessnow.org/asa_2026_lobby

04/24/2026

Americans for Safe Access Statement Regarding DEA and Department of Justice’s Actions to Reschedule Cannabis (Ma*****na) for Medical Access

“This is a big day for medical cannabis patients. Our federal government recognizes our medicine as legitimate, which means we are not only entitled to tax-free access but to federal protections. For millions of Americans who rely on medical cannabis, this is more than a policy shift — it is validation. It affirms patients’ lived experience and represents an important step in the right direction.

We are encouraged to see many of the ASA's concerns about Schedule III addressed in the order, as well as the use of language from our model federal legislation. Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to unpack the implications of today’s announcement, which is sure to face legal, regulatory, and political scrutiny. But today, we are celebrating being closer than ever to a national medical cannabis program and to restoring patient rights. (This is a great gift for ASA's 24th Anniversary of fighting to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research!)

What happens next matters and will directly affect patient access and the integration of medical cannabis into U.S. healthcare systems. Americans for Safe Access calls on patients, caregivers, health care providers, and advocates to stay engaged and be ready to mobilize. We have to ensure patients’ voices are front and center of every policy discussion moving forward.

We encourage supporters to sign up through the ASA website, become a member, and consider joining us in Washington, D.C., on May 13 and 14 to help educate Congress as federal cannabis policy continues to evolve. www.safeaccessnow.org/asa_2026_lobby

ASA will also host a briefing for medical cannabis stakeholders this evening at 8:00 p.m. ET on Zoom:

https://www.safeaccessnow.org/monthly_unmc_briefing” and will issue a more formal analysis of the new order in the coming days.

A big thank you to ASA members, volunteers, and sponsors who all helped make today possible. “

Steph Sherer, Founder and Executive Director

Please RSVP: Patients: The Missing Link to Federal Cannabis Policy Reform

10/20/2025

Hello Everyone! Are you encountering a kind of defeatist drag in your colleagues—a loss of momentum that feels heavier than opposition itself?

After twenty-three years in this fight, it’s frustrating to watch advocates turn away when we’ve come so far. Like a black hole, the absence of hope and action pulls everything around it inward.

"Be the Unstoppable Force: The Physics of Medical Cannabis Policy" is my attempt to push back— one of an advocate’s essential jobs: to be a source of energy, A.K.A. a cheerleader in the system.

I’m always searching for metaphors that don’t rely on war or sports, so let’s see if physics does the trick—because I know that if we can recharge, truth and compassion can fuel us to victory.

Read more: https://www.safeaccessnow.org/

09/22/2025

Join us for ASA’s Fall 2025 Member Meeting!

We’ll review this year’s progress on key campaigns, share updates on ASA’s long-term strategic plan, and preview the actions and events ahead. You’ll learn how to plug into our campaigns, sharpen your advocacy skills, and explore new volunteer opportunities.

This meeting is exclusive to ASA members. Not a member yet? Take advantage of ASA’s 23rd Anniversary special—become a member for just $23: https://www.safeaccessnow.org/23_years

Not sure if your membership is current? Check your membership status: http://www.SafeAccessNow.org/MemberCheck

RSVP Now!: www.safeaccessnow.org/asa_fall_member_meeting_2025

09/17/2025

We are so excited to see these amazing folks come together to raise awareness about issues facing patients and the future of medical cannabis!

"Cannabis Businesses & Professionals United for National Medical Cannabis (UNMC) isn’t a new association — it’s an ASA Action Group. We’re uniting professionals and businesses to amplify ASA’s campaigns and strengthen a patient-centered healthcare future." -UNMC

Here is the press release: www.safeaccessnow.org/unite_for_a_national_medical_cannabis_program

Thank you, Kimberly Cargile, Aundre Speciale, Holly Lang, Pharm D, Don Duncan, Otha Smith III, and Karen Jaynes, MS, eRYT