Patients Launch ‘Great Things’ Campaign Echoing Trump’s Remarks on Medical Cannabis

*WASHINGTON —* On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump told
reporters, “I’ve heard great things having to do with medical [cannabis]…
for pain and various things. I’ve heard some pretty good things.”

He’s right—patients across America do have great things to say. So do their
doctors and communities. But while millions rely on cannabis for their
health, federal law still treats them like criminals, and the future of
medical cannabis remains uncertain.

Nearly 3 in 10 chronic pain patients use cannabis to manage pain and
improve daily function—often reducing or replacing opioids. More than 68
million Americans live with chronic pain.

Over 40% of people with cancer report cannabis use to ease sleep, mood,
stress, anxiety, depression, and pain.

Nearly 1 in 5 older adults use cannabis, especially for chronic pain,
arthritis, sleep, and appetite. At 57.8 million strong, the 65+ population
is the fastest-growing group of medical cannabis patients (U.S. Census,
2023).

22% of U.S. veterans—more than 3 million people—use cannabis for PTSD,
pain, and sleep. With nearly a third living with a disability, the need is
urgent.

Public health data show that when a county opens its first dispensary,
opioid death rates fall. After ten years, opioid deaths are 30% lower than
in counties without dispensaries (Washington Post, Julien Berman).“These
numbers tell a story the President needs to hear,” said Americans for Safe
Access (ASA) founder Steph Sherer. “Medical cannabis is not just a policy
debate—it’s a matter of survival, dignity, and health for millions of
Americans.”

In response, ASA launched the “Great Things” campaign to flood social
feeds, news outlets, and congressional offices with patient and
professional stories that highlight the essential role of medical cannabis
and the urgent need for federal protections. The campaign launched with an
Opinion Piece in The Hill by Sherer: “A bold, beautiful strategy for
Trump’s medical marijuana policy.”
About the Action

The campaign encourages patients, caregivers, veterans, healthcare
professionals, and advocates across the country to post their stories under
the hashtag #GreatThingsMedicalCannabis. Participants will tag members of
Congress and share graphics, videos, and testimony showing how cannabis has
improved their health and quality of life. The action is designed to ensure
patients are included in the narrative while the President and Congress
consider cannabis scheduling and protections in budget bills in the coming
weeks, ensuring the conversation is led by the people who made the moment
possible: patients.
Patients Made This Moment

Over the last few decades ASA and ts members created the legal frameworks
for state medical programs, developed the product safety protocols that
underpin today’s testing standards, pressed the WHO and UN to acknowledge
cannabis’ medical value, leading to modernized scheduling, and secured DOJ
appropriations protections year after year—the only guardrail shielding
patients, providers, and professionals from federal prosecution.

HHS’s recent recognition that cannabis has “currently accepted medical use”
is the only reason we are talking about rescheduling.

Earlier this year, when the White House moved to undercut federal
protection for medical cannabis programs, ASA convened national patient
organizations and pushed Congress to restore them.
What Can Trump Do?

While the President cannot simply “legalize or deschedule” cannabis by
executive order (CRS Report, 2021), there are concrete steps he can take
now.

Finish Rescheduling. Direct DEA Administrator Cole to adopt HHS’s Schedule
III recommendation through a final rule or promptly resolve pending ALJ
issues and move to a determination.

Prevent Congressional Kneecapping. Urge appropriators to remove Section 607
from the CJS appropriations bill while maintaining protections for state
medical programs.

Create Infrastructure. Establish an Office of Medical Cannabis &
Cannabinoid Control (OMC) at HHS to oversee cannabis as medicine.

Protect Patients. End evictions of medical cannabis patients in federal
housing, allow VA doctors to recommend cannabis, and end cannabis drug
testing for federal employees.

Build a Real Medical Pathway. Urge Congress to pass bipartisan legislation
creating a dedicated cannabis schedule (Schedule VI) under OMC oversight,
aligned with treaty obligations.“This is how the President can support
patients, protect science, and position U.S. manufacturers to compete
globally,” Sherer added. “Medical cannabis policy is ‘very complicated,’
but it is also ripe for a bold, disruptive breakthrough.”
About ASA

Founded in 2002, Americans for Safe Access is a nonprofit representing
medical cannabis patients, doctors, and researchers. ASA works to ensure
safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research and has
been at the forefront of nearly every significant advancement in medical
cannabis policy for more than two decades.