American Council of Medical Cannabis marks “significant step” towards federal legalisation

The American Council of Medical Cannabis has reached a landmark agreement with key industry figures in hopes of advancing federal legislation. 

The American Council of Cannabis Medicine (ACCM) announced a memorandum of understanding with multiple cannabis-industry stakeholders this week.

It aims to increase collaboration in the sector and help legislators to gain a deeper understanding of medical cannabis and its impact in the US.

But the most pressing objective is to facilitate legislation that advances medical cannabis at a federal level.

The memorandum has been hailed as a “significant step forward” in advancing access to medical cannabis, as well as scientific research. 

It was officially announced at the ACCM’s stakeholder alliance meeting on 19 April, 2021. 

“As a practicing physician for nearly 40 years, it’s exciting to see the tremendous progress being made when it comes to bona-fide healthcare uses for cannabis,” commented botanist and cannabinoid-medicine thought leader,  Jeffrey S Block, an ASCM Board of Regents member.

“This memorandum represents a step forward in advancing medical access and clinical research.”

Meetings included representatives from the Zermatt Medical Institute, American Society of Cannabis Medicine, Allegiance, Healthcare Freedom Hub, EM2P2, Inc., Dragonfly Wellness, Global Product Makers, CannaScripts, Member First Health Network.

Association Health Partners led sessions and shared insights about moving the industry toward traditional healthcare models enabled under federal legislation.

Narith Panh, CSO for Dragonfly Wellness and ACCM Cannabis Industry Liaison Committee member stated: “As a vertically integrated company, we operate cultivation facilities, extraction and processing facilities, and retail pharmacy, so we understand all aspects of the industry.

“As the voice of the medical cannabis industry, ACCM shares our vision and values. We are pleased to join the memorandum of understanding.”

ACCM represents America’s medical-cannabis industry, with its members producing and distributing medical cannabis through state-licensed programs. 

Its supporters include those in the healthcare industry, physicians, researchers, health and wellness providers, insurance companies, systems, and patient advocacy groups.

Annabelle Manalo-Morgan PhD, Zermatt Medical Institute Research Committee chairperson, ASCM Board of Regents Member, and ACCM Clinical Research Committee co-chair added: “Real clinical research and proper legislation is long overdue. Our focus is the translation of real science merged into current medical practices for the implementation of cannabis into patient care.

“Cannabis needs to get to a point where leaders and the people can trust it. Our approach will revolutionise the cannabis industry and normalise the administration of cannabinoid products by the medical space.”