FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2022
Contact:
Info@CoalitionForAccessNow.org
ICYMI: Paige Figi of Coalition for Access Now Throws Out First Pitch Prior to Game 2 of Yankees/Guardians Playoff Series Mother of CBD Movement Raises Awareness of Need for Reliable Access
NEW YORK – Paige Figi, commonly known as the mother of the CBD (cannabidiol) movement and Executive Director for the Coalition for Access Now, threw out the first pitch prior to the Major League Baseball playoff game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on Friday.
“This honor is for the millions of Americans, including veterans, parents, athletes, and seniors, who have fought for access to CBD to live better lives, and, in many cases, save lives,” said Ms. Figi. “We are continuing to advocate for legislation to ensure that the U.S. FDA has the ability to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement so the 46 million Americans who use CBD can have peace of mind knowing their products are what they expect them to be.”
Paige Figi spent years trying to find a treatment for her then-young daughter, Charlotte, who was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome – a serious form of epilepsy – and suffered from frequent seizures. Because none of the traditional pharmaceuticals and treatments were effective in reducing and helping Charlotte’s life-limiting condition, Paige researched alternative therapies, discovering a type of hemp extract called cannabidiol – or CBD – that had no major side effects or psychotropic effects.
Ms. Figi started giving CBD to Charlotte and her epileptic symptoms and seizures dropped from hundreds per week to less than three per month. This triggered a national movement that formed the Coalition for Access Now to advocate for access laws to CBD in order to help their children and other loved ones. In 2018, Congress made CBD available nationwide.
Tragically, Charlotte passed away in April 2020 at the age of 13, likely due to Covid-related symptoms. In the following days, Colorado Governor issued an executive order proclaiming April 7 “Charlotte Figi Day” in the state. Paige wore Charlotte’s name on her hat as she threw out the first pitch at the game in honor of her daughter.
About the Coalition:
In 2014, Paige founded the Coalition for Access Now, a 501(c)4, to help other families in similar circumstances provide relief to their children. The work of Paige and the mothers in the Coalition for Access Now led to passage of CBD access laws in all 50 states.
The Coalition convenes medical providers, veterans, athletes, and businesses to drive public awareness and achievable solutions for ensuring access to quality and consistent Cannabidiol (CBD) products. To that end, the Coalition supports passage of H.R. 841, the Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2021, which has been introduced by Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), Morgan Griffith (R-Va.).
In 2018, Congress passed the “Farm Bill,” which removed hemp from the statutory definition of marijuana, decriminalizing it nationwide. However, the FDA currently does not regulate hemp as a dietary supplement. Without adequate federal regulation, it has been reported that as much as 60% of CBD products are inaccurately labeled or may contain metals or other harmful properties. Members who have co sponsored include: Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Rep. James Comer (R-Ky), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif), Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis), Rep. David Joyce (R-Ohio), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Rep. Chris Jacobs (R-N.Y.), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-Calif.) Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.), and Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.).
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