California medical marijuana military attorney

August 6, 2021

Senators Seek to Ease Rules on Military Veterans’ Access to Medical Marijuana

Cannabis may be legal for recreation and medicinal use in California, but that won’t help those on military bases or being treated at a Department of Veteran Affairs facility. Now, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment that is intended to increase access to medical marijuana by military veterans. The bill would allow doctors working for the VA to issues recommendations for cannabis as medicine in states where it’s legal. The measure would also bar the federal agency from interfering with or denying services to those military veterans who participate in state-legal cannabis programs.

The bill’s sponsor noted that despite cannabis being legal as medicine in 37 states, veterans don’t have access to it, even though it’s been shown there may be benefits for treating a variety of issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans, the bill’s sponsor said, should be able to talk to their doctors about the potential benefits.

How Cannabis Prohibition Harms Veterans

July 22, 2019

Marijuana Legislation Wins in Congress, Now Onto the Senate

By Cannabis Law Group

marijuana business Marijuana supporters in California rejoiced late last month as legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives could afford the industry more freedom to grow. Currently, the recreational use and sale of marijuana is legal in California, along with 10 other states, and Washington D.C. But federal law continues to classify cannabis as a Schedule 1 narcotic. While it is yet to happen, this makes folks in the cannabis industry weary, as the door remains open for the federal government to prosecute against cannabis related businesses, even in states that have legalized marijuana.

The Blumenauer-McClintock Amendment
The lauded legislation, known as the Blumenauer-McClintock amendment, would prohibit the Department of Justice from using federal funds to interfere with California state laws, or the laws in any state or district, legally permitting the regulated adult-use of cannabis.

Supporters for marijuana law reform are praising the legislation. Justin Strekal, Political Director for pro-marijuana organization, NORML, called it “the most significant vote on marijuana reform policy that the House of Representatives has ever taken.” That’s because the cannabis industry would certainly welcome extended protections within states that already permit the legal use and sale of marijuana.
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April 10, 2019

U.S. Bill Would Protect Pot-Using Veterans’ Military Benefits

By Cannabis Law Group

Marijuana has proven an effective treatment for many military veterans grappling with conditions like chronic pain, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and symptoms of exposure to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange. For many, it’s a better alternative than opioids, which are highly addictive, dangerous and recommended only for short stints. In many cases, it’s even proven the key to escaping opioid addiction. Yet Los Angeles medical marijuana lawyers know that to use it – even if prescribed by a physician – is to risk losing all their hard-earned military benefits. military veterans cannabis lawyer

A new bill filed by a U.S. House of Republican – with bipartisan support – would protect veterans from losing their federal benefits for using medicinal marijuana. Additionally, the Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act would allow doctors at the Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend cannabis for medicinal purposes to patients there.

L.A. Attorneys Fight for Military Veterans’ Cannabis Rights

Los Angeles cannabis attorneys for years have fought to prevent veterans from losing these critical benefits simply for seeking medically necessary treatment. A measure like this would solidify a military veteran’s entitlement to services – and further enshrine them so they could not be altered subject to the whim of future federal administrations. Taking it a step further (and to avoid any conflicting messages on this) the proposed law would also change the existing VA rules that prevent doctors within the department from filling out any forms that might help a veteran obtain medicinal marijuana. Continue reading

March 4, 2019

Law Firm Sues U.S. Customs & Border Protection Over Canadian Workers Banned for Cannabis

By Cannabis Law Group

Since cannabis was legalized in cannabis last year, there has been swelling concern that Canadians could be banned from entering the U.S. just for being honest about whether they worked in Canada’s legal marijuana industry. Our California cannabis lawyers understand that fear has now come to fruition, and a law firm in Washington State is suing the federal government demanding to know the authority on which the government is basing its actions, which include lifetime bans on U.S. entry to Canadian cannabis workers. marijuana attorney

The concern is that such action is poised to have a chilling effect not only on U.S.-Canadian relations, but also on the Canadian cannabis industry. Los Angeles marijuana business attorneys know that the CBP officers are empowered with very broad discretion not only to question those who wish to travel into the U.S. on a wide range of subjects. What’s less clear is what authority these officers or the agency in general has to issue lifetime bans into the country, particularly from our northern neighbors.

The Toronto Star reports the legal team behind the suit includes a former U.S. attorney now in private practice. The lawyer’s team alleges the U.S government has unlawfully withheld documents requested by his firm in accordance with the Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA) specifically pertaining to the practice of Canadian cannabis worker border bans.