SAM Action Applauds Senate President Chris Kapenga for Recognizing the Dangers Marijuana Poses to Public Health and Safety
(MADISON, WI) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement today in response to reports that the GOP-led medical marijuana legalization bill (AB1040) is effectively dead for the session:
“Today’s announcement is a victory for public health and safety, and the people of Wisconsin. Senate President Kapenga and other leaders looked at the data, science, and public response from people across the state, and wisely killed legislation that would have put the state on the path toward full-scale commercialization of marijuana and THC drugs.
“While the industry spins tall tales about how marijuana is a miracle drug, medical associations and the federal government have long made clear that marijuana has ‘a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use in the United States.’ The truth is today’s high-potency THC drugs are associated with increased depression, suicidality, IQ loss, psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for young people.
“Big Marijuana continues to try to convince naïve politicians that dangerous THC drugs are medicine and even recreational, but it’s all a ruse seeking to get a foot in the door toward full-scale commercialization. SAM Action is pleased to stand with our coalition partners against this threat to public health and safety.”