WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the historic vote tonight by the US House of Representatives to close the hemp loophole and protect American families and public health.
SAM President & CEO Kevin Sabet released the following statement:
“For years, the predatory intoxicating hemp industry poisoned millions of children, deceived adults, and tricked lawmakers into allowing the mass proliferation of these dangerous substances. SAM and our friends and allies have fought hard from day one to stop them. Today, justice was finally served, thanks to the hard work of people who long for safe and healthy communities.
“We’ve been honored to help lead the way in the struggle to contain this addiction-for-profit industry. We served as a policy architect on the effort to ban these drugs and played a central role in generating legislative enthusiasm to fight for a ban in both houses and on both sides of the aisle as lawmakers worked to rectify a legislative error in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed—against the intent of every reasonable lawmaker—the intoxicating hemp industry to addict and harm kids and families across the nation. Hemp-derived Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC, two of the most popular drugs this industry pushes, are dangerous and linked to extreme physical and mental health consequences.
“That this was ever legal, even temporarily, was a travesty; that Congress has now put the interest of the people above corporate profits is a triumph. We could not be prouder to have played such a central role.
“This is a historic day for public health, for SAM itself, and for everyone who wants drug policy based on science—not industry advocacy. Special thanks are due to Sen. Mitch McConnell and Chair Andy Harris, tireless fighters against intoxicating hemp and its pet politicians; to Chairs Tom Coles and Susan Collins, who led the appropriations process driving to this moment and the fight for sane drug policy that defined that drive; to Rep. Mary Miller of the Agriculture Committee—and to the 76 Senators, including two dozen brave Democrats, who voted to make sure these dangerous drugs are taken off shelves everywhere. To the countless families who’ve stepped forward to call out intoxicating hemp as part of SAM’s wider project, we say: We literally could not have done this without you. And to the parents I have spoken with who have suffered unspeakable tragedies as a result of this industry: We won’t ever let your tragedy go unforgotten.
“Closing this loophole is a non-negotiable for public health. It was a deep privilege to have guided lawmakers through this fight. Americans should, quite literally, rest easier tonight knowing their kids will be safer. Congress has done the right thing.
“And just in case you thought Big Weed had dodged a bullet: not at all. For the 7th year in a row, the SAFE Banking Act—a ploy to let the marijuana industry have normalized access to our financial system, the better to hook a new generation of users—failed to pass. SAM played a central role in that massive public health win, too. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Media Contact
Sam Munson