(Alexandria, VA) – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading organization opposing the commercialization of marijuana, is proud to announce that Colorado Speaker of the House Alec Garnett is a recipient of the 2021 Patrick J. Kennedy Advocate of the Year Award, given to an advocate at the state-level who best champions the mission of putting public health and safety ahead of the interests of the marijuana industry. During the 2021 state legislative session, Speaker Garnett was a primary sponsor on legislation to limit youth access to high potency THC in Colorado.
“By leading the effort to limit youth access to high potency THC products, Speaker Garnett showed true courage in taking on a large industry with tremendous influence at the Capitol,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of SAM and a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration. “The people of Colorado are well-served by Speaker Garnett and we at SAM look forward to working with him for however long it takes to ensure public health and safety are protected from the actions of the industry, particularly for youth and families.”
“This is a distinct honor,” said Speaker Alec Garnett. “I am so proud to be affiliated with all of you and proud of the work you have been doing, and I think the sky really is the limit.”