Introduction: A Critical Moment for Patient Protections
Today, July 7, 2025, marks a pivotal moment in the fight to protect medical cannabis patients, as organizations across the U.S. are urged to issue “Why we signed” statements supporting the Cannabis Justice and Safety (CJS) Amendment. President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal has dangerously omitted longstanding spending restrictions, known as the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, which prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from targeting state-legal medical cannabis programs. This omission threatens over six million Americans who rely on these programs for conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and cancer-related symptoms. Led by Americans for Safe Access (ASA), the Safe Access Now campaign is mobilizing a collective response to pressure Congress ahead of the July markup of the FY2026 CJS Appropriations Bill.
The “Why we signed” statements, called for today, aim to amplify the urgency of reinstating these protections, showcasing the broad support from advocacy groups, businesses, and healthcare organizations. With 38 states and Washington, D.C., having legalized medical cannabis, the federal government’s failure to safeguard these programs is a stark disconnect from public sentiment—over 70% of Americans support federal legalization. This post explores the significance of today’s action, the history of the CJS Amendment, and the broader implications for patients and the cannabis industry.
The July 7th Call: Why It Matters Today
On July 7, 2025, organizations that signed the Safe Access Now letter—submitted by July 5—are encouraged to release public statements explaining their support for the CJS Amendment. These statements, shared on social media and press lists, are designed to build momentum and demonstrate the widespread demand for federal non-interference in state medical cannabis programs. By highlighting personal stories of patients and the economic benefits of legal cannabis, these statements aim to sway lawmakers during the critical July markup period. The campaign emphasizes that collective action today could shape the future of medical cannabis access.
The timing is crucial, as Congress is finalizing the FY2026 CJS Appropriations Bill, which could either restore or permanently eliminate the Rohrabacher-Farr protections. Without these restrictions, the DOJ could resume prosecuting patients and providers, destabilizing an industry that supports nearly half a million jobs. Today’s statements are a strategic push to remind Congress of the human and economic stakes, urging them to act before the budget is finalized. For patients, this is about more than policy—it’s about maintaining access to life-changing treatments.
The Safe Access Now campaign, led by ASA, has provided clear guidance for organizations to craft their “Why we signed” messages. By focusing on patient stories, scientific evidence, and the inequity of federal prohibition, these statements aim to counter opposition narratives that falsely link medical cannabis to public safety risks. The campaign’s website, www.safeaccessnow.org/cjs_action, offers tools to amplify these messages, encouraging grassroots participation. Today’s coordinated effort underscores the power of unified advocacy in the face of federal rollback threats.
The Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment: A Decade of Protection
The Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment, first enacted in 2014 as part of the 2015 federal budget, has been a cornerstone of medical cannabis policy. This bipartisan measure prohibits the DOJ from using federal funds to interfere with state-legal medical cannabis programs, offering a temporary shield for patients, caregivers, and businesses. Renewed annually, it has allowed 38 states to develop robust medical programs without fear of federal raids or prosecutions. Its consistent inclusion reflects broad congressional support for state autonomy over cannabis policy.
The amendment’s protections have been vital for over six million patients who use cannabis to manage debilitating conditions. For example, patients with epilepsy have found relief through cannabis-derived treatments like CBD, which the FDA has recognized for its medical value. However, the amendment’s omission from Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal signals a potential return to federal enforcement, undoing a decade of progress. Today’s “Why we signed” statements aim to remind Congress of the amendment’s proven success and the urgent need to restore it.
Despite its importance, the amendment has faced challenges in the past. In 2017, Trump’s signing statement suggested his administration could ignore the amendment, claiming it wasn’t legally binding, though no significant enforcement followed. The current budget proposal’s explicit removal of these protections is a more direct threat, as it grants the DOJ full authority to target state programs. July 7th’s advocacy push is a critical response to this escalating risk, urging Congress to reject the administration’s stance.
The Stakes: Patients and Industry at Risk
If the CJS Amendment is not restored, the consequences for patients would be immediate and severe. Over six million Americans could lose access to regulated medical cannabis, forcing them to rely on unregulated markets with unsafe products or face legal risks. For patients managing chronic pain or chemotherapy side effects, this disruption could mean a return to less effective or addictive alternatives like opioids. Today’s “Why we signed” statements highlight these human costs, putting pressure on Congress to act swiftly.
The medical cannabis industry, which employs nearly half a million people, also faces existential threats without federal protections. Dispensaries and growers operating legally under state law could face federal raids, asset forfeiture, or banking restrictions, as seen in early medical cannabis states before 2014. This instability would harm local economies, particularly in states like California, where cannabis generates significant tax revenue. The July 7th campaign underscores the economic argument for reinstatement, rallying businesses to join the advocacy effort.
The absence of protections could also derail scientific progress. Federal restrictions have already limited cannabis research, but the Rohrabacher-Farr Amendment has enabled state programs to facilitate studies on cannabis’s medical benefits. Without it, researchers could face renewed barriers, slowing advancements in treatments for conditions like PTSD or multiple sclerosis. Today’s statements aim to galvanize support from the scientific community, emphasizing the need for continued research under protected state programs.
Advocacy Achievements: Building Toward Reform
The medical cannabis movement has made significant strides, providing a strong foundation for today’s advocacy. Advocates have secured regulatory changes allowing U.S.-based cannabis research, debunked myths about its risks, and established rigorous safety standards. The FDA and HHS have acknowledged cannabis’s therapeutic benefits, with the latter recommending in 2023 that cannabis be rescheduled to Schedule III. These achievements underscore the legitimacy of medical cannabis and bolster the case for reinstating the CJS Amendment.
ASA’s leadership has been instrumental in this progress. Their recent virtual town hall and op-ed, It’s Time For Congress To Create A Federal Pathway For Medical Cannabis Access, outline a vision for integrating cannabis into healthcare. The July 7th “Why we signed” statements build on this momentum, showcasing the diverse coalition of patients, providers, and businesses united for reform. By highlighting these successes, today’s action aims to convince lawmakers that protecting state programs is a logical next step.
However, the movement faces resistance. Some lawmakers and the incoming DEA nominee, Terry Cole, have historically opposed cannabis legalization, raising concerns about federal enforcement under the new administration. Today’s coordinated statements counter these narratives by emphasizing public support—93% of Democrats and 74% of Republicans favor medical cannabis—and the proven safety of state programs. The campaign’s focus on bipartisan appeal is critical to overcoming these hurdles.
Challenges: Navigating a Hostile Landscape
Restoring the CJS Amendment faces significant obstacles in a polarized Congress. Amendments added to last year’s CJS bill, like Section 623, which blocked funding for cannabis rescheduling, signal resistance to broader reform. Another carve-out allowed DOJ enforcement near schools and playgrounds, exposing many dispensaries to risk. The complete removal of protections in the FY2026 proposal escalates these threats, making today’s advocacy essential to reversing this trend.
The Trump administration’s mixed signals on cannabis add complexity. While Trump voiced support for rescheduling and state autonomy during his 2024 campaign, his budget proposal and nomination of Cole suggest a harder line. Project 2025, a conservative agenda for his administration, omits cannabis reform, focusing instead on combating illegal drugs like fentanyl. July 7th’s statements aim to hold the administration accountable to its pro-reform rhetoric, urging Congress to prioritize patient protections over political posturing.
Logistical challenges also loom. The July markup is a crowded process, with competing priorities vying for inclusion in the appropriations bill. Advocates must convince lawmakers that the CJS Amendment is both urgent and feasible, despite opposition from pharmaceutical interests wary of cannabis’s rise. Today’s public statements are a strategic tool to cut through this noise, rallying grassroots support to influence key decision-makers.
How to Join the July 7th Movement
Today’s call to action is open to all who support medical cannabis patients. Organizations that signed the Safe Access Now letter by July 5 should issue their “Why we signed” statements on social media and press lists, using hashtags like #ProtectMedicalCannabis to amplify reach. ASA’s website, www.safeaccessnow.org/cjs_action, provides templates and talking points to craft compelling messages. For questions, contact Steph Sherer at steph@safeaccessnow.org to coordinate efforts.
Individuals can also participate by mobilizing their networks. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to contact their representatives and senators, emphasizing the need to reinstate the CJS Amendment. Sharing patient stories or data on cannabis’s medical benefits can personalize the issue for lawmakers. Every voice raised today strengthens the campaign’s impact, pushing Congress closer to action.
Beyond statements, ongoing advocacy is crucial. Join ASA’s local chapters, donate to their efforts, or attend future town halls to stay engaged. The July 7th action is a catalyst, but sustained pressure will ensure the amendment’s reinstatement and pave the way for broader reform. Patients and advocates alike are the heart of this movement, and their stories drive change.
Conclusion: Seizing the Moment on July 7th
July 7, 2025, is more than a date—it’s a rallying cry to protect six million medical cannabis patients from the fallout of President Trump’s FY2026 budget proposal. The omission of the CJS Amendment’s protections threatens to unravel a decade of progress, but today’s “Why we signed” statements offer a powerful opportunity to fight back. By uniting patients, businesses, and advocates, the Safe Access Now campaign is demanding that Congress restore these safeguards in the July markup. Act now—share your voice, support the cause, and help secure a future where medical cannabis is safe, legal, and accessible for all.
Sources: https://www.safeaccessnow.org/cjs_sign_on, https://www.safeaccessnow.org/cjs_action
