Preventing the next Big Tobacco

Holding Big Marijuana Accountable,
Protecting the Public from Marijuana Commercialization

SAM’s primary focus is educating the public about the harms of marijuana legalization—a policy which has consistently placed corporate profits and addiction ahead of public health. We provide information on the harms of such policies to interested parties for use in messaging, and educate federal and state legislators on the benefits of a science-based marijuana policy.

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Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is

We envision a society where marijuana policies are aligned with the scientific understanding of marijuana’s harms, and the commercialization and normalization of marijuana are no more. Our mission is to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.

Educating the public and policy makers on the harms of marijuana commercialization and legalization

We invest heavily in the longer-term goals of educating the public and policy-makers alike on the harms of marijuana use and marijuana commercialization, the importance of science-based drug policy, and research into the potential medical use of compounds derived from marijuana. Working with our state affiliates, we hold federal, state, and local-level briefings across the country on these issues, and produce and distribute a wide range of related educational materials at no charge.

 

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The Four Pillars of
Smart Approaches to Marijuana

Awareness

To inform public policy with the science of today’s marijuana.

Reform

To have honest conversation about legal reforms that include reducing the unintended consequences of current marijuana policies, such as lifelong stigma due to arrest.

Prevention

To prevent the establishment of Big Marijuana that would market marijuana to children — and to prevent Big Tobacco from taking over Big Marijuana. Those are the very likely results of legalization.

Research

To promote research on marijuana in order to obtain FDA-approved, pharmacy-dispensed, cannabis-based medications.

Stay Up to Date on Recent News

PROFILE OF KEVIN: More dangerous than ever, modern drugs have spiraled out of control

The original version of this article appeared in exxpress. At the MCC Budapest Summit on the global drug epidemic, exxpress spoke with Kevin Sabet. He is the president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a long-time advisor to several U.S. presidential administrations and one of the most well-known experts in drug policy. Immediately after his keynote—in which he described the […]
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Kevin Sabet: Hungary’s Zero-Tolerance Policy on Drugs Is Exemplary

Hungary’s drug policy is “an example because it’s a very clear message and nobody can be confused about what the law says. I don’t necessarily think people should be imprisoned for years for having a joint, but we need not be encouraging that behavior, which is what legalization or decriminalization can do,” Dr. Kevin Sabet […]
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SAM ANNOUNCES NEW YORK AD CAMPAIGN: “WHAT IS MARIJUANA?”

To educate New Yorkers about the harms of marijuana use, particularly the use of high-potency THC drugs, Smart Approaches to Marijuana has launched alongside our New York Impact Report a new awareness campaign: WHAT IS MARIJUANA? It’s a question more policymakers and legislators should have asked before deciding to create the Empire State’s legal market. […]
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Be a part of ourgrowing coalition

Our partners consist of both individuals and organizations who promote big ideas and help us in this ongoing work championing smart policies that decrease marijuana use.

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We should meet people where they are at, but never leave them where they are at.

Congressman Patrick J. KennedyCo-Founder, Smart Approaches to Marijuana

Smart Approaches to Marijuana envisions a society where marijuana policies are aligned with the scientific understanding of marijuana’s harms, and the commercialization and normalization of marijuana are no more. Our mission is to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.
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Join Kevin Sabet on December 1st.
SAM event - December 1st 2025
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