Juan Alicea’s Post

As we head toward the 2024 election, cannabis scheduling and regulation are hot topics in Congress. Yet, one critical piece is missing from the conversation: medical cannabis patients! Medical cannabis (marijuana) got us here, and we shouldn't believe adult-use and "hemp" are going to protect these patients. Here are 5 things to remember going to this all important election season: Presidential Powers are Limited While presidential candidates may make bold statements on cannabis, real policy shifts rely on Congress. For real change, we need lawmakers who prioritize patient access and protections over profits. Congress’ don't know what up with cannabis! Many in Congress mistakenly equate adult-use access with medical access. However, patients require consistent quality, affordability, and specific formulations—not just recreational options. Educating candidates on the realities of medical cannabis is essential. Adult-use leaves patients behind... While recreational markets emerged from medical advocacy, they lack essential protections and fail to support insurance coverage or ADA rights. Voting for candidates who understand the medical model can secure these needed protections. Beyond the War on Drugs: medical Cannabis as a medicine Medical cannabis also faces challenges in fitting into a pharmaceutical-centered system. Rescheduling alone won't resolve these; we need Congress to redefine cannabis as medicine under a suitable healthcare framework. There’s still time to be heard! Your voice matters. Candidates running in this election can pledge to support medical cannabis reforms that ensure safety, research, and access. Attend town halls, ask questions, and urge them to take the Compassionate Candidate pledge to protect patient rights on Capitol Hill. Let's shape a future that prioritizes medical cannabis patients; the only way to do that is to speak up! https://lnkd.in/gy83ifaP

Kentucky officially launched its medical cannabis program on January 1, 2025, following the passage of Senate Bill 47 in March 2023. Signed by Governor Andy Beshear, the bill aims to reduce reliance on opioids and provide relief for chronic and severe pain. The program allows patients with qualifying conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, chronic nausea, multiple sclerosis, and PTSD, to apply for medical cannabis ID cards through the Kentucky Office of Medical Cannabis. Applicants must pay an annual fee of $25 and obtain certification from an authorized practitioner. As of January 7, 2025, the program had received 760 applications for medical cannabis cards, with over 3,359 Kentuckians obtaining written certifications from 267 registered practitioners in 68 counties. The state is also hosting monthly webinars to educate patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers about the program. Nearly 5,000 individuals signed up for the inaugural webinar scheduled for January 15, 2025. Kentucky has prohibited cannabis consumption by combustion and limits vaporization to those over 21 years old. All medical cannabis products cultivated, processed, tested, and sold in the state will feature standardized packaging symbols. The lottery system for cultivator and processor licenses was held in late 2024, and licensed dispensaries are expected to begin selling products later in 2025. Kentucky’s launch highlights the growing acceptance of medical cannabis across the U.S., while neighboring states like Ohio have expanded their programs. Ohio reported over $242 million in recreational and medical cannabis sales in 2024, reflecting the potential economic impact of cannabis legalization. Kentucky’s program aims to balance public health needs with regulatory oversight as it builds its framework for medical cannabis use. https://lnkd.in/gZjAS-f8

Cannabis patients slam new Health Ministry cannabis reform https://ift.tt/nHqjdDW In early April, the Health Ministry announced the beginning of a new era for Israel’s cannabis reform, with the message being, “Enough with bureaucracy.” At the heart of the plan was the move from licenses to prescriptions. Instead of having to renew licenses and wait for the decision by the Medical Cannabis Unit, cannabis prescriptions would be given to patients to be used in the nearest pharmacy, just like a prescription drug. The intentions were good, but according to Walla’s examination and many testimonies of cannabis patients, the actual reality is less idyllic. The reform was built in stages. The plan reportedly began in July 2013, with additional stages being added gradually, such as a “medical release” of the plant for certain patients – in accordance with the government’s decision to regulate the Israeli cannabis market. In addition, a committee headed by Dr. Boaz Lev prepared the current move from license to prescription in an attempt to reduce bureaucracy while maintaining the safety of the public, the products, and an appropriate medical framework. The members of the committee decided that giving prescriptions would preserve the uniformity and professionalism of the medical treatment by cannabis, as is the case with the vast majority of drugs and medical treatment, so that treatment by cannabis could become an integral part of the medical treatment from the patient’s medical file to the Health Maintenance Organization.  Furthermore, the committee argued that such a move would enable the documentation, monitoring, and control required for this unique type of treatment. As such, the coordination of treatment between all the medical services provided to the patient would greatly improve as well. Employee tends to medical cannabis plants at Pharmocann, an Israeli medical cannabis company in northern Israel (credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS) Shortage of doctors and opting for private markets  Just when it seemed that the long-awaited solution had been found and after October 7, there would be maximum understanding for this population, as of today, the appropriate answer has not yet been found – neither for post-traumatic sufferers nor for the majority of people suffering from chronic pain.  To receive the long-awaited cannabis license, patients suffering from post-trauma will have to attach to the application a special appendix from a psychiatrist who will fill in the details of their request. A specialist doctor would then have to recommend the administration of cannabis to the patient, and finally the Cannabis Medical Unit would examine the application for a fee of NIS 360 per year. However, as in other fields, the queues for specialist doctors are very long in the public health system, and the shortage of doctors in Israel also affects cannabis patients.  According to a list provided by the ministry, only 65 specialist doctors can fill i...

Check out these amazing solutions to move the conversation and country forward as we grapple with the complex issues of cannabis! Download the guides in the thread and share with everyone you know!

Descheduling cannabis is a step, but does it protect patients? The idea of descheduling cannabis has gained significant traction, (as my post yesterday shows) and while it’s an important step forward, descheduling alone might not be the comprehensive solution that patients need. At least that is what Americans For Safe Access thinks, and I agree! Descheduling cannabis would remove it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), effectively decriminalizing it nationwide. However, this approach could leave patients (at least in some states) vulnerable to inconsistencies in quality and access—challenges that we've seen time and time again with loosely regulated markets. On the other hand, rescheduling cannabis—placing it in a lower schedule under the CSA—keeps it under strict federal control, which can stifle innovation and limit patient access by continuing to treat cannabis like a dangerous substance that requires the same oversight as harmful drugs. Both options have significant drawbacks that could hinder the progress we've made in recognizing cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment. This is where the Medical Cannabis & Cannabinoid Act of 2024 (MCCA) comes in as a superior alternative. Rather than simply rescheduling or descheduling cannabis, the MCCA proposes creating a new and specialized agency—the Office of Medical Cannabis & Cannabinoid Control (OMC)—under the Department of Health and Human Services. This agency would be distinct from the FDA, which has historically been biased and slow to adapt to the evolving landscape of cannabis research and medicine. The OMC would focus exclusively on the unique needs of medical cannabis patients, ensuring that regulations are tailored specifically to this industry rather than forcing it to fit into the outdated models designed for other substances. The MCCA also introduces Schedule VI, a new category that would allow for complete decriminalization of cannabis while still providing the necessary oversight to protect patient safety. Schedule VI would ensure that cannabis can be cultivated, manufactured, and distributed without the restrictions that come with the current scheduling system, but with safeguards to maintain high standards of quality, consistency, and access. This legislation is crucial because it strikes a balance between removing unnecessary criminal penalties and maintaining a structure that prioritizes patient care. By setting up the OMC and creating a new regulatory framework under Schedule VI, the MCCA offers a path forward that recognizes cannabis as the medicine it is, ensures it is accessible to those who need it, and protects patients from the pitfalls of both unregulated markets and overly restrictive federal control. If you're ready to support a future where cannabis is treated with the respect and care it deserves, especially for the millions of patients who rely on it, comment "I want to help ASA support" below, and I'll DM you details on how you too can help!

This has been a rollercoaster of a year for medical cannabis policy! Patients finally saw the DOJ and HHS confirm cannabis’ medical value, but instead of validation from Capitol Hill and in the media, the reaction to this news focused only on tax benefits for businesses and political angles for the 2024 elections. Study after study shows that medical cannabis programs are having positive impacts on healthcare costs, quality of life, and the health of the U.S. workforce, but reports about “daily cannabis use” statistics are being spun as a public health crisis or proof of “Cannabis Use Disorder” rather than patients managing chronic conditions that require daily consumption like any other medicine. Why is this happening? In the absence of sustained resources for advocacy, patient voices have gone unheard in the media and in Washington, DC. The result is that prohibitionists are framing all cannabis use as a disorder, deficiencies in medical cannabis markets are being buried, and there is a resurgence of a federal anti-cannabis lobby. In fact, for the first time in a decade, federal protections for medical cannabis patients are at risk of being rolled back, a threat that was just greatly heightened by the election, putting the last of the prohibitionists in charge of key Senate committees. Patients must have a seat at the cannabis policy table in the 119th Congress and the new Administration. With your help, we can launch a series of urgent, high-impact initiatives. We must raise $500,000 by December 31, 2024, to ensure we have the necessary resources to: Represent Patients on Capitol Hill. Amplify the Patient Perspective in National Media. Organize & Mobilize Patients. Engage Healthcare stakeholders. Educate Patients About Product Safety. ASA has assembled a dynamite board and groups of advisors to lead these efforts, including bringing founder Steph Sherer back as Executive Director. Are you in? Donate now! https://lnkd.in/eAKek_Zj Your contribution—will help us seize this critical moment. Give what you can; every dollar helps! You can also help ASA meet our goal by asking your networks, friends, and family to join you in this effort: here are some resources to help you with the ask: https://lnkd.in/eQBeKDAS We must all chip in if we want patients to have a voice. Supporting patients is kind; investing in us is transformative! For more on ASA's leadership, https://lnkd.in/gQ9xr52p Amanda Reiman PhD MSW, Codi Peterson, Shanetha Marable-Lewis, M.S., Michelle Wright, Antonio Frazier, Nic Easley, Don Duncan, Carla Rossotti Vázquez, MD, Deondra Asike, MD, Patricia C. Frye, MD FAAP DipABLM, Elan Sudberg, Chris Day, Karen Jaynes, MS, eRYT, CLAUDE CYR, Dedi Meiri, Deborah Miran, Mary Shapiro, Stephen Dahmer, Leigh Vinocur, MD, MS, FACEP, Pamela Epstein, Shay Bradshaw, MS, David Vaillencourt, Melani Kane, PharmD,Tada Dalotto, Brandy Zink, Nicky Robins, MS, Sarah Armstrong, Ruth Charbonneau

If you are upset with the fact that patients and medical cannabis are taking a backseat to other cannabis topics, then let's fix the problem. We need resources to compete with communication firms and lobbyists of cannabis businesses. This isn't a Medical vs Adult Use issue or a Patient vs Business issue. It is U.S. politics issue. Did you know that ASA has been almost entirely volunteer-operated for the last few years because of a lack of funding? Or that it had a 1.2 million annual budget when we passed the CJS amendment in 2014? It is clear what happens when patients do not have representation on Capitol Hill. Let's turn this around. I am happy to help you funnel that outrage into productive strategies that include a platform that will reach the allies we need to create safe access for everyone. Seriously, what is that worth to you? Time mobilizing instead of defending? Organizing instead of critiquing? There are millions of patients and supporters (like 90% of America) out there who don't know people like us exist, people who care about the future of cannabis medicines. Together, we can reach them! Shout out to ASA allies: U.S. Pain Foundation, Realm of Caring Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, ISCPh: International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists, Dr. Bronner's's, Farmer Freeman, S3 Collective, Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics (MCST) Program, A THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVE , Nikki Lawley, Dr. Leah Johnson, Aundre Speciale, Georgia Medical Cannabis Society, San Diego Americans for Safe Access, Texans For Safe Access, Americans for Safe Access Maryland Chapter, Massachusetts Patient Advocacy Alliance, Wana Brands, American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), American Public Health Association, #safeaccess4all hashtag #medicalcannabis

🌿 We are happy to introduce the Chambers and Partners Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Regulations Guide 2024! 🌿 The global cannabis industry is undergoing a transformative journey, with legislative reforms paving the way for unprecedented growth. From groundbreaking medical treatments to innovative wellness products, cannabis is making waves across multiple sectors. Our INCBA Europe co-chair Daniel Haymann was particularly excited to be the Contributing Editor for this year's edition of the Guide which offers a comprehensive overview of cannabis laws across nine key jurisdictions: France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Panama, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK. 📈 What's Inside? Discover in-depth analyses of the latest regulatory changes, explore the dynamic market landscapes, and understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The guide covers critical aspects of medical cannabis, wellness products, recreational use, and industrial hemp, providing a clear, jurisdiction-specific yet globally relevant perspective. 🌍 Jurisdiction Highlights: Germany: Leading the way with partial legalization and pioneering medical cannabis reforms. Israel: Projected to see a strong growth in its medical cannabis market and further liberalization. Spain: Navigating the gray areas of cannabis social clubs while moving towards a regulated medical framework. Switzerland: Expanding pilot trials for adult-use cannabis, exploring various distribution models. UK: Cautiously advancing with limited medical prescriptions and evolving political support for reform. And more from France, Italy, Panama, and Poland! ✨ Why This Guide? Stay ahead in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry with insights from our detailed review of legislative frameworks. Whether you're an industry participant, policymaker, or investor, this guide is your essential resource for navigating the complexities of international cannabis laws. 🔗 Dive into the future of cannabis regulation and unlock new opportunities with the Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoid Regulations Guide 2024. We will be sharing the pdf's of some of the mentioned jurisdictions separately for everyone to see and download. Thanks to all contributors Marie SANCHEZ, Jörn Witt, Philine-Luise Pulst, Virginia Düwel, Adi Rozenfeld, Yoni Ahrend, Shira Gutman, Giacomo Bulleri, Ohad Kiperstok (he's setting up his LinkedIn profile this week, he promised...), Monika Duszyńska, Michal Kurzynski, Anna Gerbolés, Elliott Rolfe, Harry Lancaster. Thank you also to Chambers and Partners, in particular to Fernanda Pereira de Miranda, Claire Oxborrow and Carla Cagnina, and to the International Cannabis Bar Association! MME Legal | Tax | Compliance Kai-Friedrich Niermann https://lnkd.in/dfksdMQK #CannabisRegulation #MedicalCannabis #CannabisIndustry #GlobalCannabis #CannabisLaw #CannabisReform #ChambersGuide #CannabisTrends #2024Cannabis

Any cannabis company or affiliate business has tremendous gain and long term ROI investing in the future for cannabis medical patients. In every state that has access to this powerful and transformative medicine, it has been granted through the needs of medical patients. 38 Medical cannabis states 24 adult regulated states Cannabis’ consumption as every American knows it, may be challenged at the federal level. We have an amazing team of advisors, clinicians, researchers, educators and advocates ready to bring the facts, insights and policy changes needed. If you are looking for a long term investment in cannabis, here is your opportunity. If everyone of my followers joined ASA with a $35 donation and told two friends who consume cannabis or know of those it has supported, we would have the funds extend our representation for patients and patient policy in the 119th Congress this year. If every medical patient registered gave $1, that would be $6 million to create change that has revolutionized a quality of life standard for patients with cancer, spasticity disorders, chronic pain, and PTSD just to name a few of the hundred of conditions each state qualified for medical patients. These programs fall short for patients. The tangle is still within basic need protections like housing, jobs, banking, criminality, standards, safety and testing and these are F E D E R A L issues. Let’s make comprehensive change together. Please donate and share with your colleagues and organizations. Link n connects. And below. ⬇️