The Compassionate Coalition

From: Rebecca Saltzman rebecca@safeaccessnow.org
Sent: Oct 16, 2006
Subject: Rescheduling News from ASA's National Office

*GREAT NEWS FROM AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS' WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE! *

Last week, per ASA's request, Senator Jeffords (I-VT) sent a letter to Secretary Michael Leavitt, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), requesting an update on the status of the petition to reschedule cannabis which was submitted to the agency for review more than two years ago. To view a copy of this letter please visit the ASA website
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/downloads/jeffords_reschedule.pdf

In his request to Secretary Leavitt, Senator Jeffords specifically calls on HHS to describe the factors that have led to a delay in their review of the rescheduling petition, and, more importantly, requests the Secretary to provide a new estimate of when the agency is expected to complete their review of the petition.

*PLEASE THANK SEN. JEFFORDS FOR KEEPING HHS ON TASK! *

When our supporters in Congress receive your thanks and appreciation they will be more likely to continue supporting ASA and our fight for safe access to medical cannabis in the future. Please, take a moment to call or visit Senator Jeffords' webpage and thank him and his staff for supporting medical cannabis patients and providers.

PHONE CONTACT: 202-224-5141
WEB CONTACT: http://jeffords.senate.gov/contact.html

SAMPLE TEXT/SCRIPT:
/I wanted to take a moment and offer my sincere thanks and appreciation to Senator Jeffords and his staff for following up with Secretary Leavitt about the status of the petition to reschedule cannabis./

//

/Rescheduling cannabis is the most efficient way to ensure that
critically and chronically ill patients everywhere have safe and legal access to cannabis. I appreciate your leadership on this very important issue and encourage you to continue to be a strong advocate for medical cannabis patients./

*MORE INFORMATION:*

Rescheduling cannabis is the most efficient way to ensure that patients everywhere have safe and legal access to cannabis under the care and supervision of a licensed physician. In 2002, ASA joined with the Coalition to Reschedule Cannabis (CRC) in a petition to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to request they reschedule cannabis in light of new medical and scientific data which supports the medical efficacy of cannabis.

In August of 2004, the Drug Enforcement Administration forwarded the petition to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting from the agency a scientific and medical evaluation of marijuana, upon which DEA would base its decision as to whether to reschedule marijuana. By law, HHS is required to conduct this evaluation "within a reasonable
time." And, when asked during his Senate confirmation hearing about when petitioners could expect agency review to be completed, Mr. Leavitt indicated that "all efforts would be made to complete evaluation by August 2005."

Then, in July, HHS sent a letter to ASA on a separate but related issue estimating that the agency would be submitting the evaluation on the rescheduling petition to DEA in September. To see a copy of the letter please visit the HHS website
http://aspe.hhs.gov/infoquality/request&response/20d7.pdf

To date, HHS has failed to transmit any completed review of the rescheduling petition to DEA.

--
Rebecca Saltzman
Field Coordinator
Americans for Safe Access
p (510) 251-1856 x 308
f (510) 251-2036
www.safeaccessnow.org