American Society of Addiciton Medicine

Other National Policy Areas

National Advocacy

Other National Policy Areas

ASAM advocates for a wide variety of policies designed to improve access, quality, and innovation in addiction prevention, treatment, and research.

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Initiatives


Advancing Racial Justice and Health Equity

ASAM is committed to pursuing advocacy initiatives that advance racial justice and improve the health of all people suffering from addiction.


Cannabis Policy Reform

Learn more about ASAM’s efforts to advance cannabis decriminalization while protecting the health and safety of patients.

In ASAM's 2020 Public Policy Statement on Cannabis, ASAM reviews the medical and social science literature about cannabis use and recommends important, evidence-based policy changes that mitigate potential harm related to cannabis use in the United States. As the medical community continues to document evidence of the harms and potential benefits of cannabis use, ASAM calls for the decriminalization of cannabis use, alongside appropriate regulations and oversight that protect public health.  

Learn more about the Drug Enforcement Administration's proposed rescheduling of marijuana from reading ASAM's comment letter submitted on the proposed rule, submitted July 19, 2024. If finalized, the proposed rule would move marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to Schedule III. This proposed transfer is based on a determination by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that marijuana has a currently accepted medical use (CAMU) and lower “abuse potential and level of physical and psychological dependence” than other controlled substances that are in schedule I.

While such a “wholesale” transfer may result in beneficial impacts to scientific research and/or pharmaceutical development, ASAM recommended that the DEA consider the possible failure of marijuana with higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations to meet HHS’ new, alternative test for CAMU. ASAM also noted that significant, negative public health ramifications are likely to result if Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code Section 280E no longer applies, and thus marijuana companies/dispensaries were allowed to take advantage of various federal tax deductions and credits due to a transfer of marijuana to Schedule III.

For these reasons, ASAM could support a final rule that transfers only marijuana with lower THC concentrations to Schedule III, so long as any such final rule clearly states that (1) the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) will continue to apply, and (2) Schedule III requirements/controls will be enforced for those who take advantage of federal tax benefits due to 280E no longer being applicable after such a rescheduling. Higher potency marijuana, however, would remain in schedule I in the absence of Congressional action.

 

2022 Successes

On December 2, 2022, President Biden signed H.R.8454 - the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act into law. This law will make it easier for researchers to study cannabis, which will potentially open the door to additional cannabis derived medicines and therapies.


Telemedicine

Learn more about federal reforms eliminating the buprenorphine waiver, impacting methadone for opioid use disorder, and changing telemedicine requirements at Select Federal Policies Governing Methadone and Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder. In addition to the select policies described here, you can learn more by reading ASAM's comment letter to the DEA, sent March 2023, in response to a proposed rule "Expansion of Induction of Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Encounter." 

ASAM's has public policy recommendations in its Public Policy Statement on Optimizing Telehealth Access to Addiction Care.

Federal and state level  statutes and regulations governing telehealth are summarized in ASAM’s February 2022 policy briefs (long version and short version), which include ASAM and State Chapter advocacy actions to expand coverage and access to addiction treatment via telehealth.

 

 

Tobacco Use Disorder:  Prevention and Treatment

ASAM advances policies to prevent the use of tobacco products and envisions a future where everyone has access to treatments for tobacco use disorder. Learn more about our efforts to prevent tobacco use and expand access to evidence-based tobacco use disorder treatments:

  • In Coalition, ASAM Asks House Appropriations to Uphold Tobacco Fees and Oppose Weakening FDA Authority in Related Bill Markup.  Read more.
  • ASAM Joins 100+ Organizations Urging Biden Administration to Finalize Rules to Eliminate Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars.  Read more.
  • ASAM Supports Legislation Assisting Medicaid and CHIP Enrollees To Quit Using Tobacco.  Read more.
  • ASAM Responds to Draft HHS 2023 Framework to Support and Accelerate Smoking Cessation. Read more.
  • ASAM Clinical Guidance:  Integrating Tobacco Use Disorder Interventions in Addiction Treatment. Read more.

 

Clinical Guidance

ASAM has a guide with clinical recommendations for Integrating Tobacco Use Disorder in Addiction Treatment. Read more.