As an experienced Omaha marijuana defense lawyer, Daniel Stockmann’s blog often covers news related to cannabis users and advocates, the DEA, and their relationship. A story being circulated by the media right now is well worth sharing. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration had a document on their website titled, “The Dangers and Consequences of Marijuana Abuse." In this document, the DEA claimed marijuana is a gateway drug and can cause multiple long-term health issues, including brain damage, lung cancer, and psychosis.
A Legal Petition was Filed to Have the Controversial Document Removed
In August 2016, the DEA published another document that contradicted the previous document. Loretta Lynch, the presiding United States Attorney General at the time, even said marijuana is not a gateway drug, and that when they talk about marijuana that way, they usually are talking about users who started out with a prescription drug problem. Despite this, the first document was not taken down from the internet, which compelled a non-profit advocacy organization called Americans for Safe Access (ASA), to file a legal petition for its removal from the DEA’s website. ASA felt the DEA was violating the federal Information Quality Act. Shortly thereafter, the DEA took down the controversial document. However, ASA didn’t receive any response from the administration.
ASA Calls for the DEA to Stop Misleading the Public
ASA’s lawyers have sent another letter to DEA that requests a response to their petition and asks for removal of several other misleading documents. “We have taken this action to stop the DEA’s relentless campaign of misinformation about the health risks of medical cannabis in its tracks,” says Vickie Feeman, a partner at the law firm working for ASA, Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe. ASA thinks now is a very important time to ensure that all information propagated by the government is factually accurate. Jeff Sessions, former Alabama Senator and current Attorney General appointed by President Trump, is known to strictly oppose cannabis use, which suggests this won’t be the last argument medical marijuana advocates will have with the government.
ASA’s Goal is to Ensure Safe Access
Americans for Safe Access is a non-profit organization whose goal is to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. Founded in 2002 by Steph Sherrer, ASA has over 100,000 active members in all 50 states. They work to overcome political, legal, and social barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical marijuana for patients and researchers through many different means like legislation, education, research, advocacy. ASA’s motto is, “Until there is Safe Access, we are Americans for Safe Access.”
Retain an Experienced Omaha Marijuana Defense Lawyer
Unfortunately, the same type of misinformation presented on the DEA’s website runs rampant throughout the country, which is one of the reasons it’s imperative to have an attorney with impeccable skills, great knowledge, and successful background if you’re facing drug charges of any type. If you need an experienced and dedicated Omaha marijuana defense lawyer for you or someone you love, call (402) 884-1031 and schedule an appointment with Daniel Stockmann today.
