American Medical Marijuana Association
Encyclopedia
The American Medical Marijuana Association (AMMA) is an organization
formed to promote and protect the legal
access to medical marijuana
.
The American Medical Marijuana Association (AMMA), was founded in cyberspace on October 27, 2000, by Steve Kubby
, Ed Rosenthal
and Tod H. Mikuriya. AMMA has been at the forefront of the battle to protect the rights of medical cannabis patients and recently received official recognition by the United States government
as one of the top organization websites promoting medical marijuana law reform. This recommendation appears in a briefing by the White House
and is available online at the official web site for the White House Drug Policy.
AMMA is a group of volunteers working together to implement, preserve and protect the rights of medicinal cannabis patients through political activism
. Their platform is based on the idea of not bargaining away people's rights
. AMMA believes that each person will have different needs, which are best determined by the patient and physician. What works well for one patient may not work for another.
AMMA's activism includes aiding in the defense of cannabis patients should they be so unfortunate as to be prosecuted for their choice of medication. One way AMMA is able to do this is through the sharing of successful motions
, writ
s, declarations
and demands.
Because California
seems to be the testing grounds for medical cannabis patients it is not surprising to see most of the information originating from that state. AMMA's goal is to preserve California Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. AMMA is concerned that some members of law enforcement are trying to re-write the law, infringing upon the rights of the voters, placing conditions that violate the California State Constitution
.
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
formed to promote and protect the legal
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
access to medical marijuana
Medical cannabis
Medical cannabis refers to the use of parts of the herb cannabis as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy, or to synthetic forms of specific cannabinoids such as THC as a physician-recommended form of medicine...
.
The American Medical Marijuana Association (AMMA), was founded in cyberspace on October 27, 2000, by Steve Kubby
Steve Kubby
Steven "Steve" Wynn Kubby is a Libertarian Party activist who played a key role in the drafting and passage of California Proposition 215. The proposition was a ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana which was approved by voters in 1996. Kubby himself is well-known as a cancer patient who...
, Ed Rosenthal
Ed Rosenthal
Ed Rosenthal is a California horticulturist, author, publisher, and Cannabis grower known for his advocacy for the legalization of marijuana use. He served as a columnist for High Times Magazine during the 80's and 90's...
and Tod H. Mikuriya. AMMA has been at the forefront of the battle to protect the rights of medical cannabis patients and recently received official recognition by the United States government
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
as one of the top organization websites promoting medical marijuana law reform. This recommendation appears in a briefing by the White House
Executive Office of the President of the United States
The Executive Office of the President consists of the immediate staff of the President of the United States, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President. The EOP is headed by the White House Chief of Staff, currently William M. Daley...
and is available online at the official web site for the White House Drug Policy.
AMMA is a group of volunteers working together to implement, preserve and protect the rights of medicinal cannabis patients through political activism
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. Their platform is based on the idea of not bargaining away people's rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
. AMMA believes that each person will have different needs, which are best determined by the patient and physician. What works well for one patient may not work for another.
AMMA's activism includes aiding in the defense of cannabis patients should they be so unfortunate as to be prosecuted for their choice of medication. One way AMMA is able to do this is through the sharing of successful motions
Motion (legal)
In law, a motion is a procedural device to bring a limited, contested issue before a court for decision. A motion may be thought of as a request to the judge to make a decision about the case. Motions may be made at any point in administrative, criminal or civil proceedings, although that right is...
, writ
Writ
In common law, a writ is a formal written order issued by a body with administrative or judicial jurisdiction; in modern usage, this body is generally a court...
s, declarations
Declaration (law)
In law, a declaration ordinarily refers to a judgment of the court or an award of an arbitration tribunal is a binding adjudication of the rights or other legal relations of the parties which does not provide for or order enforcement. Where the declaration is made by a court, it is usually...
and demands.
Because California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
seems to be the testing grounds for medical cannabis patients it is not surprising to see most of the information originating from that state. AMMA's goal is to preserve California Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. AMMA is concerned that some members of law enforcement are trying to re-write the law, infringing upon the rights of the voters, placing conditions that violate the California State Constitution
California Constitution
The document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of California. The original constitution, adopted in November 1849 in advance of California attaining U.S. statehood in 1850, was superseded by the current constitution, which...
.
AMMA National Director
- Steve Kubby. Former Libertarian PartyLibertarian Party (United States)The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
nominee for governorGovernorA governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of California and author of two books on drug policy, Mr. Kubby has addressed world leaders at the World ForumWorld ForumWorld Forum may refer to:*AEI World Forum, an annual summit sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute*Social and Environmental Responsibility World Forum*World Forum Convention Center in The Hague...
, and is the former publisher of an international ski magazine.
AMMA Advisors
- Richard Cowan. Former National Director of NORML. Member of the Advisory Board of the Drug Policy Foundation. Senior Policy Advisor to NORML. Editor and Publisher, marijuananews.
- Ed Rosenthal. Recognized worldwide as an authority on marijuana. In his thirty-plus years as a cannabis expert, he has written or edited more than a dozen books about marijuana cultivationCannabis (drug) cultivationThis article presents common techniques and facts regarding the cultivation of the flowering plant cannabis, primarily for the production and consumption of marijuana buds. Cultivation techniques for other purposes differ...
and social policySocial policySocial policy primarily refers to guidelines, principles, legislation and activities that affect the living conditions conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is that part of public policy that has to do with social issues...
.
- Rev. Lynnette Shaw. Founder and director of the Cannabis Buyers' Club Marin in Fairfax, CaliforniaFairfax, CaliforniaFairfax is an incorporated town in Marin County, California, United States. Fairfax is located west-northwest of San Rafael, at an elevation of 115 feet...
, licensed since 1997.
External links
- VIDEO: Cannabis and Cannabinoids in the 21st Century: Medical Marijuana Dr. David Bearman speaks at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, November 2007.
- Official website