About Republicans for Compassionate Access: Republican's For Compassionate Access was started in Maryland by former Maryland Delegate Don Murphy. Don, a strong "law and order Republican" was touched by a constituent who was suffering from terminal cancer and wanted the legal right to try medical marijuana under a doctor's supervision. Maryland delegates were shocked to see Don's name as a sponsor but Don's courage to do what was right prompted other Republican's to consider the legislation. Maryland was one of the first states to pass an effective medical marijuana law.

Today, Republican's For Compassionate Access is a growing group of Republican legislators who believe in state's rights and a patients right to choose a medical treatment under a doctor's care.

Co-Director of the organization, State Rep. Penny Bacchiochi of Connecticut, joined the group in 2005. Penny had purchased marijuana for her husband during his suffering from the terrible effects of terminal bone cancer. Penny saw first-hand the positive effects that marijuana provided for her ill husband and Penny now works with Republican's for Compassionate Access to promote sensible medical marijuana laws across the country so that physicians and patients may have the legal right and ability to utilize it as a tool in their fight against horrible and painful illnesses. Click to hear Penny’s story. (video link to come)

MISSION STATEMENT OF REPUBLICAN'S FOR COMPASSIONATE ACCESS: To provide Republican legislators with information on the medical use of marijuana and to encourage Republican's to take the lead on an issue that follows the Jeffersonian principles of smaller and less intrusive government.