SAM Authored Provisions Advance in FY 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill
(WASHINGTON DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President and CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton, released the following statement today in response to the House Committee on Appropriations advancing the FY 2025 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill with key provisions that block the rescheduling of marijuana, championed by Rep. Pete Sessions (TX-17) and Rep. Hal Rogers (KY-5), and prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries being located within 1,000 feet of a school zone, championed by Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4). Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12) attempted but failed to amend the CJS bill to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with state recreational marijuana programs:
“This is a triumph for public health and safety. Rescheduling should be about science and medicine. But the Biden Administrations’ latest review has been touted as ‘fulfilling a campaign promise,’ while failing to acknowledge that the medical and scientific data has only gotten worse since marijuana’s rescheduling was last rejected in 2016 under President Obama. Congressional action is clearly needed.
“The addiction industry is churning out volumes of misinformation and wild claims to spin its dangerous products into ‘recreation.’ The reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
“Big Marijuana is targeting young users with kid-friendly THC-laced candies, sodas, cookies, gummies, and other products, some of which can have 99 percent potency. Advancing public policy that cuts against these efforts should be priority number one for any member of congress who claims they care about public health and the safety of young people.
“Across the nation we’re seeing scores of young people hospitalized because these dangerous psychoactive drugs can often be easily confused with harmless everyday products. The industry couldn’t care less. In fact, they’re promoting it. Their marketing gurus often lift product packaging designs straight from some of the most iconic brands to make their drugs look benign.
“Our thanks to Reps. Pete Sessions and Robert Aderholt for championing these important public health and safety provision to the CJS appropriations bill, to Subcommittee Chairman Rogers for his support of these provisions in the subcommittee, and to Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (OK-4) for his support in moving these critical public policy efforts to the full House.”