A recent report released by Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is challenging states to “make the grade” when it comes to providing medical cannabis programs. In the report, titled “Medical Marijuana Access in the US: A Patient-Focused Analysis of the Patchwork of State Laws,” states are evaluated using an A (superb) to F (fail) scale on laws which impact patient access.
“The report evaluates the array of differing laws across the country from a patient’s perspective by using a point system to grade each medical marijuana law on: 1) patients’ rights and protection from discrimination, 2) access to medicine, 3) ease of navigation, 4) functionality, and 5) product safety protocols. The report concludes that while many states have important elements helpful to patients, no state has yet established an ideal, comprehensive program.”
Though no state received the highest grade and several received grades of a C or lower, overall the study showed that the legal landscape continues to improve.
“One example is California, which passed several new bills in 2015 to enhance the medical cannabis program. One such bill is a potentially life saving measure introduced by Assembly member Marc Levine which protects medical cannabis patients from being excluded from the organ transplant waiting list. Without this protection, the consequences are likely to be devastating – even fatal – for patients.”
How did your state do? Read the full report.
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