Big Marijuana, Big Money, Big Politics: Part One — Illinois
In the past year, the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana has dominated conversations on drug policy across the nation. At the local level, states pushing for marijuana are encouraging a federal reckoning with the legality of the drug. Pro-pot legislators have protested the lackadaisical attitude of the federal government, asserting that the states are […]
New Study: Marijuana Use Linked to Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior for PTSD Sufferers
A study published in Depression & Anxiety found marijuana use among military personnel with PTSD symptoms may lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This study builds on a foundation of research signaling that marijuana use among veterans suffering from symptoms of PTSD could cause worse outcomes. Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana […]
Top Administration Officials Sound Alarm on “Mounting Body of Evidence” of Sweeping Harms of Marijuana Normalization on Pregnant Women and Youth
In the most significant event on marijuana policy during the Trump Administration, today the Department of Health and Human Services issued significant warnings regarding the physical and mental health implications of marijuana commercialization. During a press conference about marijuana broadly, government officials decried the normalization of marijuana and the harmful messages Americans are receiving on […]
New Mexico Governor’s Marijuana Working Group Features Heavy Big Marijuana Influence
(Santa Fe, NM) – On August 14th, the Governor’s Working Group on Cannabis Legalization convened for the first time. This group, established by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, is tasked with crafting legislation to legalize marijuana in the upcoming legislative session. Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former […]
Studies Claiming Marijuana Legalization Reduces Opioid Deaths Should Not Be Trusted
The marijuana industry has made a list of claims finding legalization to be an unmitigated success (and why not, their profits depend on it!). One such claim rests on the idea that greater access to marijuana leads to a reduction in opioid problems. This was first presented in a 2014 study claiming a 25% reduction […]
New HHS Data Confirms Some of Our Worst Fears About Marijuana Normalization
(Alexandria, VA) – Today, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration released the 2018 Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the most comprehensive survey on drug use. According to the survey, 45,000 more teenagers are regularly using the drug, marijuana users are more likely to abuse opioids than non-users, and levels […]
New York Rejects Predatory Pot Industry in Favor of Decriminalization
New Law a Victory for Youth and Minority Communities, Avoids Big Tobacco-Style Damage (ALBANY, NY) – In response to New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo signing the state’s new marijuana decriminalization law Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former senior drug policy advisor to President Obama, issued the following statement. […]
Senator Harris and Representative Nadler Put Pot Industry Interests Over Public Health and Safety
California Senator Kamala Harris and New York Representative Jerrold Nadler introduced the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, a bill to federally legalize, commercialize, and tax the use of marijuana. In response, Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration, released the […]
Hearing Testimony, Videos, and Expert Letter Counter Marijuana Myths in the Senate
Today, staff from Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the largest national policy group opposed to marijuana commercialization founded by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy and White House advisor Dr. Kevin Sabet, testified in opposition to the SAFE Banking Act at a hearing held by the US Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. During the […]
BREAKING: Another Study Links Marijuana and Psychosis
Today, a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry further links the use of marijuana with the onset of severe mental illness such as psychosis and schizophrenia. “This study is big as it is just one more in the scientific pile on connecting today’s potent pot with psychosis,’ said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of […]
Michigan Marijuana Rules are a “Pure Michigan Big Marijuana Giveaway”
The state of Michigan recently released the official rules and regulations under which the marijuana industry will operate in the state following the adoption of a ballot measure to legalize and commercialize the drug in November. In response, Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and its affiliate Healthy and Productive Michigan which […]
NEW STUDY: Living Near Marijuana Dispensaries Increases Likelihood of Youth Use, Favorable Opinions
Today, a new study published in the journal Addiction found that living near a marijuana dispensary increases the likelihood of marijuana use and frequency of use among young people aged 18-22. “This study proves if you live near pot shops and their ads, you’re more likely to use marijuana,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of […]
Testimony From SAM Staff Entered into Official Congressional Record in House Hearing on Marijuana Laws
Today, during a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing entitled Marijuana Laws in America: Racial Justice and the Need for Reform, Chairwoman Karen Bass entered written testimony submitted by Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet and Communications and Community Outreach Associate Will Jones into the official record. “We are disappointed this hearing hosted no witnesses […]
New Data By Koch-Funded Researchers Claiming Legalization Discourages Teen Use Is Deeply Flawed
Today, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics purports to show the legalization of marijuana leads to a reduction in teen use of the substance. This study, funded in part by the pro-drug legalization Charles Koch Foundation, is flawed for several reasons: It is based on the CDC YRBS, which completely omits Oregon and Washington – […]
United Nations World Drug Report Castigates American Jurisdictions for Lax Marijuana Policies
Yesterday, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) released the latest edition of the annual World Drug Report, specifically calling out the United States, and jurisdictions like Colorado, for their lax marijuana policies. The report found overall drug use and addiction are rising worldwide and singled out the rise in marijuana use. Additionally, […]
SAM Marks International Day Against Drug Abuse With Special Consultative Status Granted By the United Nations
On the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) was notified by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) that it received special consultative status to the United Nations. This status allows SAM to designate official representatives to the UN headquarters in New York, Geneva, […]
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law Putting Profits Above Health and Safety
Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill to legalize the use of marijuana and its commercial sale into law, over the advice of the overwhelming majority of medical associations, public safety organizations, and social justice advocates. Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action), and its affiliate SAM Illinois – […]
New National Poll: 62% of Registered Voters Disapprove of Marijuana Commercialization
According to a new national poll, 62% of registered voters do not support the legalization and commercialization of marijuana when given more options than prosecuting possession or full legalization. The false dichotomy of legalization versus incarceration is pervasive in national polling, and is promoted by the marijuana industry and its supporters as it makes it […]
NEW STUDY FINDS POT REVENUE COULD BE LARGELY WIPED OUT BY INCREASED COSTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
A new study shows that a huge percentage of New York’s estimated revenue from legal pot sales would need to be directed toward costs associated with law enforcement and protecting public safety. Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York (SAM NY), in cooperation with the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, has released a first-of-its-kind study analyzing […]
BREAKING: House Adopts Amendment Blocking FDA from Protecting Children From Marijuana Industry
Today, the United States House of Representatives narrowly voted to approve the Blumenauer/McClintock amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill that will prohibit Department of Justice funding from being used to enforce federal law upon stores, facilities, and growers trafficking in so-called recreational marijuana. As a result of this amendment, the […]
UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE FROM PARENTS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS COMMERCIAL POT FAILS TO PASS IN NEW YORK
NY’s Rejection of Commercial Weed Biggest Blow Yet to Big Marijuana Despite massive spending and lobbying by Big Marijuana and its allies, the New York State Legislature rejected commercial marijuana. Dr. Kevin Sabet, former drug policy advisor to President Obama and President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana released the following statement in response: “Today New […]
SAM Releases Comprehensive Report on Impact of Marijuana Legalization
Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to offering a science-based approach to marijuana policy, released its third annual Lessons Learned Report, a comprehensive study of the data outcomes in ‘legalized’ marijuana states. This study, validated by researchers from institutions such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins University and used as primary […]
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE PUTS WALL STREET, BIG MARIJUANA AHEAD OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES
Smart Approaches to Marijuana-Illinois (SAM-IL), the coalition that has worked to educate lawmakers and the public about the harms of commercializing and legalizing marijuana, released the following statements today about the passage of legislation to legalize marijuana in Illinois. “Today’s outcome is disappointing, as it is a win for wealthy marijuana investors and a loss […]
SAM Declares Victory in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont
Last week, lawmakers announced that marijuana legalization bills in New Jersey, Vermont, and New Hampshire are all effectively dead for the 2019 session. This litany of victories comes on the heels of a slew of other wins this year in states like Minnesota and New Mexico. “Consecutive years of victories for public health and safety […]