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  Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) Reacts to Marijuana Lobbying Group’s Admission to Soliciting Donations from Tobacco Industry Challenges Top Marijuana Lobbyist to Answer Four Questions Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, May 2, 2017] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a national organization committed to promoting evidence-based marijuana laws at […]

Don’t Let Anyone Tell You Youth Marijuana Use Hasn’t Gone Up in States Like Colorado According to official statistics, Colorado shows increase in teen use since before legalization; 18-25 year old rate and overall 12 and older rate also up Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA] – Despite claims to the contrary […]

New Study Finds More Marijuana Use, Higher Rates of Marijuana Addiction in States With Medical Marijuana Laws Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, April 26, 2017] – A new study released today by JAMA Psychiatry found that rates of marijuana use and marijuana addiction increased significantly more in states that passed medical […]

National Leaders and Elected Officials Gather in Atlanta to Coordinate Opposition to Marijuana Legalization in America Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, April 20, 2017] – Today, a group of national drug policy leaders, elected officials, and public health experts convened in Atlanta to coordinate the opposition to marijuana legalization in the […]

Marijuana Legalization Bills Defeated in Maryland Marijuana Legalization Proposals Die in Committee Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, April 12, 2017] – Yesterday, an alliance of concerned citizens, public health experts, and safety officials soundly defeated two marijuana legalization bills in Maryland. The bills, which would have permitted commercial pot shops in […]

Anti-Marijuana Legalization Advocates Clear Major Hurdle in Connecticut Senate Marijuana Legalization Proposal Stalled Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, April 6, 2017] – Yesterday, a broad coalition of public health experts, elected officials, educators, and concerned citizens made significant headway in the effort to stop marijuana legalization in Connecticut. Senate Bill 11 […]

National Organization Files Public Records Requests For Marijuana-Related Records From the State of Oregon Leaked Study Reveals State Violations of Federal Marijuana Guidance, Raises Questions About State Efforts to Provide Full Disclosure of Public Health and Safety Consequences of Legalization Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, March 28, 2017] – Yesterday, Smart […]

SAM Action to Investigate Campaign Contributions of Signatories to Rep. Rohrabacher’s Marijuana Appropriations Letter Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, March 27, 2017] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action), a national organization dedicated to advancing evidence-based marijuana laws, announced plans to investigate all signatories to Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA)’s […]

Marijuana Legalization Bill Defeated in New Hampshire Senate Marijuana Legalization Proposal Dies in 19-4 Vote Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, March 17, 2017] – Yesterday, a coalition of public health experts, elected officials, educators, and concerned citizens soundly defeated Senate Bill 233 in a 19-4 vote in New Hampshire, which would […]

President Trump’s New Budget Blueprint Retains White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA, March 16, 2017] — Today, SAM President Kevin Sabet commented on President Trump’s 2018 Budget Blueprint that retains the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as a critical office […]

  Concerned Citizens and Elected Officials Join to Oppose Marijuana Legalization in Rhode Island, Launch Provocative New Ad Campaign Targeting Marijuana Legalization Proposals  “Are We Sure?” Media Campaign Raises Questions About Unintended Consequences of Legalization, Lifts “Smokescreen” Created by Special Interest Groups Targeting Rhode Island Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Providence, RI, March […]

  Statement From SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s Comments on Marijuana Laws Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA] –  Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement in response to comments made by Sean Spicer, President Trump’s Press Secretary: “The current situation is unsustainable. […]

New Study Finds Marijuana Abuse Linked to Suicide Attempts by Iraq/Afghanistan-Era Veterans Study shows strong, statistically significant link between marijuana use disorder and suicide attempts, even after controlling for PTSD, depression, alcohol abuse, and other drug addictions Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182 [Alexandria, VA] – A recent study published by the Journal of […]

First NAS report on marijuana since 1999 finds marijuana especially damaging for psychosis, driving safety, progression to other drugs, learning, pregnancy; says state-based legalization connected to injuries among kids   [WASHINGTON, DC] – The National Academy of Sciences (NAS), in a landmark report written by top scientists, The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State […]

Colorado shows increase in teen use since before legalization; 18-25 year old rate and overall 12 and older rate also up     [WASHINGTON, DC] – The nation’s only representative sample of people in U.S households release special state data today finding increases in marijuana use not seen in a national school survey (Monitoring the […]

States with Lax Marijuana Laws Also Show Higher Marijuana “Edible” Use than Other States   [WASHINGTON, DC] – The nation’s annual school survey of drug use, Monitoring the Future (MTF), shows marijuana use among adolescents, including heavy marijuana use, remaining stubbornly high and higher than ten years ago — despite reductions across the board among other drugs. Past […]

Event underscores Papal opposition to drug legalization and embrace of balanced drug policies   For Immediate Release November 23, 2016 [VATICAN CITY] — By special invitation from Pope Francis I, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is in Vatican City this week to address a conference organized by the Pontifical Academies of Sciences entitled “Workshop on […]

The new data confirms mounting body of scientific evidence highlighting problems with rising marijuana use; SAM Honorary Advisor Patrick Kennedy to speak as part of report’s official release   For Immediate Release November 17, 2016                                         […]

CA Tax Official:  Almost half of projected Prop 64 tax revenue will go uncollected    Data received by CA Board of Equalization also indicates Prop 64 will increase black market for marijuana, and that over 30% of Colorado pot businesses do not comply with state law [LOS ANGELES, CA] – Jerome Horton, a member of […]

New Report: Driving While High, Youth Use, Crime, Arrests Surge Since Marijuana Legalization Began in Colorado and Washington  The new data, reviewed by researchers at Harvard, University of Colorado, and other academic institutions, find major problems in first four years of legalization ALEXANDRIA, VA – A new report, released today by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) […]

A recently released California High Intensity Drug Trafficking report highlights a rise in drugged driving rates, as well as fatalities resulting from drugged driving. Emergency room and hospitals visits have also increased, along with marijuana-related exposures to children aged 0-5 years old. The full report can be found below: HIDTA Impact Report

Moms Strong holds a rally at the Capitol in Sacramento to protest Proposition 64. Full event info below: Moms Strong Flyer

71% of likely Hispanic voters surveyed said they would vote “No” this November FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 26, 2016 Contact: Austin Galovski Email: austin.galovski@curastrategies.com  +1 (585) 305-4070 [Las Vegas, NV] – A poll of 400 Hispanic Nevada voters reveals significant concerns over Question 2, which would legalize the non-medical use of marijuana for anyone 21 years […]

Rate of workers testing positive for marijuana use up 47% in since 2013, says major U.S. drug testing firm  Surge in positive results accompanies expanding marijuana legalization policies For Immediate Release September 19, 2016 ALEXANDRIA, VA – A new report, released recently by major drug testing firm Quest Diagnostics, reveals a 47% spike in the rate of positive […]