Safe Access Tennessee endorses the TRUMP Act

NASHVILLE -- Safe Access Tennessee (www.safeaccessTN.org) is pleased to endorse the TRUMP Act, a medical cannabis bill sponsored by Representative Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro) and Senator Steve Dickerson (R-Nashville) for the 2019 legislative session.

The Tennessee Responsible Use of Medicinal Plants Act (TRUMP Act) will provide for the medically supervised use of cannabis, with expanded research and tailored clinical trials. Oklahoma passed State Question 788 on Tuesday, June 26th, which will make it the 31st state to enact medical cannabis reform. Federal bureaucracies and the US Congress have refused to act on medical cannabis reform, even though 31 states provide for the legal use of cannabis as a medicine. Citizens of Tennessee deserve the same rights enjoyed by over half of the United States of America.

When describing the TRUMP Act, the Chairman of Safe Access Tennessee, David Hairston, stated: "This Bill is in line with President Trump's policies, as shown by recent actions for "Right to Try" medicines, and concerning the President's support for removing federal overreach on cannabis (the STATES Act). This Bill also begins the restoration of our medical freedom. We expect broad support from sitting legislators, and from the candidates who hope to represent citizens of Tennessee in this election cycle."

Safe Access Tennessee is sponsoring a Voters' Scorecard to measure each candidate's support for medical cannabis reform. Medical freedom and medical cannabis reform are supported by over 80% of Tennesseans. Hairston explained, "The TRUMP Act will be an acid test by which voters can judge candidates running for office. We believe this Act will expand medical options and protections for patients, physicians, and pharmacists. Tennessee voters will know which candidates support medical freedom and endorse medical cannabis reform."

Safe Access Tennessee is a chapter of the Americans for Safe Access (www.safeaccessnow.org ), the largest patient advocacy group in America with over 100,000 members. The organization is the premier patient-focused advocacy group in Tennessee. Safe Access Tennessee stands in support of medical cannabis reform and advocates for medical cannabis only. Safe Access Tennessee holds no opinion on, and does not actively advocate for, the legalization of alcohol or recreational marijuana.

Safe Access Tennessee continues to encourage its members, supporters, and the public-at-large, to support thoughtful legislation that provides citizens of Tennessee the medical freedoms enjoyed in 31 other States. We cannot allow our rights to access additional medical options, and rights for self-care, to be reduced or restricted any longer. It is time for medical cannabis reform.