General

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 […]

STATEMENT ON GEORGIA VICTORY: For the past several months the majority of Let’s Be Clear Georgia activity has focused on “medical” marijuana legislation in the Georgia General Assembly. Let’s Be Clear Georgia’s over 300 collaborative members, staff and board, partnering with National Families in Action, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PACG), the Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia, […]

Statement from SAM Honorary Advisor  Patrick J. Kennedy and SAM President Kevin Sabet Today, former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, SAM Honorary Advisor, and SAM President Kevin Sabet released a statement on the hearing today held by the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, “Is the Department of Justice Adequately Protecting the Public from the Impact of […]

Statement for the record from SAM KEVIN SABET Today I am speaking on behalf of multiple civil society organizations in the Drug Policy Futures network, including SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, in opposition to some member states’ legalization of psychoactive drugs. These actions violate the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, and threaten international […]

Let’s Be Clear GA, National Families in Action, and Partner Organizations Severely Limit “Medical” Marijuana Bill in Georgia   Coalition pared down original 24-page “medical” marijuana bill to seven pages-eliminating, among other provisions, in-state cultivation; in-state dispensaries; unlimited THC % with no cap (instead of a 5% limit)   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2016 […]

GAO Calls Out DOJ for Not Documenting Plan to Monitor Marijuana Legalization Outcomes   Justice Department officials told investigators that they “they did not see a benefit” in documenting marijuana monitoring activities   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – Giving substance to the saying, […]

Today, Dr. Madeline Meier, Professor at Arizona State University, commented on two studies (here and here ) regarding IQ and marijuana use. Dr. Meier stands firm by her previous research showing an up to 8-point reduction in IQ among heavy marijuana users. Her statement is here: “Unfortunately for your headline writers, there is no controversy here.  Our […]

JOURNAL PRINTS CORRECTION: MARIJUANA USE LINKED WITH 2.5-FOLD INCREASE IN PSYCHOSIS Psychology of Addictive Behaviors journal makes corrections, SAM calls on media to correct stories   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 19, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – A prominent journal article about marijuana and health which resulted in media […]

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON MARIJUANA’S HEALTH IMPACTS AS LEGISLATURE MULLS LEGALIZATION – PREDICTS 12th GRADE MARIJUANA USE TO INCREASE BY 10% IF VERMONT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA The report also predicts a near 30% increase in emergency room visits due to marijuana if the state legalizes FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2015 Contact: […]