General

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                                         […]

SAM Action Statement on 2016 Election Arizona defeats legalization, but California, Nevada, and Massachusetts pass legalization; Maine too close to call; Local pushback in Oregon is strong; Anti-legalization governor in VT is elected   SAM will launch $1M+ Marijuana Accountability Project   (Alexandria, VA) — Tonight, Arizona resisted legalization, but deep pocketed pro-marijuana investors prevailed […]

SAM Action Statement on California Proposition 64 and Massachusetts Question 4 Results Legalization passes in California and Massachusetts;  SAM will launch $1M+ Marijuana Accountability Project November 9, 2016 12:05 AM EST Contact: SAM Public Affairs Email: info@learnaboutsam.org Tonight, SAM Action President Kevin Sabet made the following statement about legalization passing in California and Massachusetts: “We […]

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 […]

New Poll: Support for Proposition 64 Falls Sharply as California Voters Learn More Details about Corporate-Friendly Measure FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 12, 2016 [Alexandria, VA] – A new poll on California’s Proposition 64 shows weakening support among California voters as they learn more about the measure’s corporate-friendly details — including provisions that could allow marijuana […]

For Immediate Release September 1, 2016                                                 Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org (703) 665-1410    New Report:  Legal Marijuana Having Deadly Impact in Colorado Colorado HIDTA report highlights increases in marijuana-related traffic fatalities […]

New Poll: California Voters Have Serious Concerns Over Proposition 64’s Marijuana TV Advertising Language [Alexandria, VA] – A new poll on California’s Proposition 64 shows strong concerns from California voters once they understand that the measure could allow marijuana smoking and edible ads on prime-time television, including on programs with millions of underage viewers. When […]

 Big Win for “No on 64” Campaign as California Court Rules Against Pro-Legalization Campaign Claims   Court says Proposition 64 could roll back ban on smoking ads on TV; forces pro-legalization campaign to change incorrect claim that pot use among minors had decreased in states that have legalized marijuana   [Alexandria, VA] – The campaign […]

Today, multiple news outlets quoted SAM after the DEA announcement denying the rescheduling of marijuana and increasing research opportunities. DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg, in an unprecedented move, wrote a lengthy letter to the Governors of Washington and Rhode Island explaining the Administration’s decision. More news coverage from today: Obama Administration Set to Remove Barrier to […]

For Immediate Release August 11, 2016                                                   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org (703) 665-1410    Federal Government Facilitates Legitimate Research on Marijuana,  Keeps the Drug in Schedule I   (Alexandria, VA) – In […]

  Two Pieces of Bad News about Pot Legalization —  Rates of Marijuana Poisoning Skyrocket Among Colorado Kids & Stoned Driving Increases in Washington Since “Retail Legalization” July 25, 2016 (Alexandria, VA) – Two significant studies released this weekend showed the continuing problems of legalized marijuana in Colorado and Washington State. The first study, published in the […]

New Data Shows Colorado Youth Marijuana Use on the Rise Since Legalization June 20, 2016   (Alexandria, VA) – A new state-funded report out of Colorado today found that marijuana use among high school students is on the rise in Colorado since legalization, while youth cigarette use has declined. This rise is a result of […]

SAM Applauds Bi-Partisan Legislation for Legitimate Medical Marijuana Research   MEDS Act promotes FDA-compliant medical research of marijuana   June 20, 2016 (Alexandria, VA)– Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Coons (D-DE) for introducing the Marijuana Effective Drug Studies (MEDS) Act of […]

Legalized Marijuana States Excluded From State Level CDC Survey; National Level Survey Consistent with Prior Studies   Legalized states of Colorado, Oregon, and Washington are not included in statewide results of Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System study; Colorado still top youth marijuana using state in the country   [WASHINGTON, DC] – The new 2015 state-level Centers for […]

Earlier this week, the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), released a study that claims a 24 percent decline in marijuana-related problems among teenagers, such as becoming dependent on the drug or having trouble in school and in relationships. The researchers also claim there is an association between drops in problems […]

More Black and Hispanic youth arrested for marijuana after Colorado legalization   Pot-related arrests of Black youth jump 58%; arrests of Hispanic kids rise 29% May 20, 2016   [WASHINGTON, DC] – A recent report from the Colorado Department of Public Safety reveals that marijuana-related arrests of Black and Hispanic youth increased sharply in the two […]

Marijuana Legalization Fails in Vermont House of Representatives   In a key victory over marijuana lobbying money, public health advocates defeat legalization and commercialization push   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [MONTPELIER, VT] – A coalition of public health advocates in Vermont defeated a legislative marijuana legalization effort […]

Statement from SAM Canada on the Canadian Statement to the UN General Assembly on April 20, 2016 Contact Pamela McColl pjmccoll@shaw.ca www.learnaboutsam.ca We are greatly disappointed that Canada used its precious time on the global stage to promote the legalization – and thus commercialization – of cannabis. This statement sent a powerful message from our […]