The most egregious outcome of marijuana prohibition is that many sick people cannot legally access the medicine that works best for them. For many seriously ill people, medical marijuana is the only medicine that relieves their pain and suffering, or treats symptoms of their medical condition, without debilitating side effects. Marijuana has been shown to alleviate symptoms of a huge variety of serious medical conditions including cancer, AIDS, and glaucoma, and is often an effective alternative to synthetic painkillers.
Although an overwhelming majority of Americans support medical marijuana, the federal government continues to impede state medical marijuana laws. Marijuana prohibition has also thwarted research within the United States to uncover the best and most effective uses for marijuana as a medicine, making efforts to reform medical marijuana laws particularly difficult.
The Drug Policy Alliance is committed to increasing the number of states with medical marijuana laws, supporting and improving existing state medical marijuana programs, protecting medical marijuana patients, and ending the federal ban on medical marijuana.
Advocates Applaud Governor's Decision and Say Other States Should Follow New Jersey's Example
Patients and Families Express Gratitude to the Governor and Hope that the Program will Soon Allow them Access to Medical Marijuana
New Guidelines Raise More Questions than They Answer
Drug Policy Alliance Statement: Obama Misses Opportunity to Clarify State/Federal Conflict over Medical Marijuana and Pave the Way for Responsible Regulation in 16 states and the District of Columbia
The following is a statement from Bill Piper, director of national affairs at the Drug Policy Alliance.
Advocates Urge Governor Chris Christie to Move Forward with Implementation of New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program
Patients and Families Hopeful that Sick and Dying People Will Soon Find Relief
Trenton—Advocates and medical marijuana patients and their families expressed optimism regarding the future of New Jersey's medical marijuana program in light of the recently released U.S. Department of Justice memorandum providing guidance on state medical marijuana programs. Deputy Attorney General James Cole's memo reiterates statements from the Obama administration's 2009 Ogden memo that the Department of Justice does not consider it an efficient use of federal resources to prosecute medical marijuana patients and caregivers.
Advocates Urge Governor Chris Christie to Move Forward with Implementation of New Jersey’s Medical Marijuana Program
Patients and Families Hopeful that Sick and Dying People Will Soon Find Relief
Patients and Families Hopeful that Sick and Dying People Will Soon Find Relief
Trenton—Advocates and medical marijuana patients and their families expressed optimism regarding the future of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program in light of the recently released U.S. Department of Justice memorandum providing guidance on state medical marijuana programs. Deputy Attorney General James Cole’s memo reiterates statements from the Obama administration’s 2009 Ogden memo that the Department of Justice does not consider it an efficient use of federal resources to prosecute medical marijuana patients and caregivers.
James M. Cole, Deputy Attorney General of the United States
The U.S. Department of Justice issued a memo to all U.S. Attorneys on its enforcement policies in states that have authorized marijuana for medical use.
The Legislation, Modeled after the Repeal of Alcohol Prohibition, Comes on the 40th Anniversary of the Failed War on Drugs and on the Heels of a Global Commission Report Recommending Marijuana Legalization
Teleconference: Rep. Barney Frank and Leading Organizations Working to End the Failed War on Marijuana Explain the Significance of the Legislation
Rev. Carol Antun shares her story of her son's suicide following ridicule and judgment for his marijuana use. This is an excerpt from The Exile Nation Project, directed by Charles Shaw.
Patients and Families Accuse State Officials of Playing Politics with the Lives of Sick and Dying People
Legislation a Reaction to Department of Justice's Interference with State-authorized Medical Marijuana Programs
Medical Marijuana Patients, Medical Providers and Caregivers Seeking Protection from Overreaching by Federal Government
Three important bi-partisan bills pertaining to state-authorized medical marijuana programs were introduced in Congress today, by three different Members of Congress. The legislation sends a clear signal to US Attorneys, the Department of Justice, and the DEA to stop trying to undermine state laws designed to provide cancer, AIDS and other medical marijuana patients with safe and legal access to their medicine.
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