Medical Marijuana Movement: Lobbying Group Pushed for Legalization

On Thursday, the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announced its new alliance with Americans for Safe Access (ASA), a medical marijuana and trade organization that represents pot dispensaries. According to medical marijuana advocates, the alliance will strengthen its presence and lobbying efforts for the legalization of medical marijuana in Washington, D.C. Supporters also say that the alliance will help their efforts to convince lawmakers of pot's medical benefits.

In a statement, ASA expressed gratitude and optimism about the partnership. "We are grateful that the AHPA Cannabis Committee is working with ASA and the medical cannabis industry in providing guidance to regulators. We see this as a crucial step in understanding marijuana as a botanical medicine, not as a dangerous drug without medical value, which for decades has been the political position of the federal government," said ASA Executive Director Steph Sherer.

However, critics of the legalization of weed point out that it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, a judge rejected a case to reclassify the drug due to a lack of compelling evidence of its medical value on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the AHPA issued recommendations to regulators of dispensaries in California, Colorado, and Massachusetts, and says that it will present more in other medical marijuana states. It has been collaborating with the medical marijuana industry for two years. Since 1998, it has spent almost $2 million on lobbying and campaigns.

In a statement, Michael McGuffin, the president of the American Herbal Products Association said that "the AHPA Cannabis Committee includes in its charter a responsibility to develop policy recommendations that support safe use of products derived from cannabis species. This initial work should be well received by state regulators, who share our commitment to ensuring safe access to medical marijuana for their citizens."