General

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. […]

Today, a wide coalition of hundreds of organizations representing former and current federal, state, and local officials, hundreds of community-based organizations, and tens of thousands of people working in drug prevention, drug treatment, drug treatment courts, mental health, recovery, medicine, law enforcement, and millions of individuals in recovery, sent a letter to OMB Director Mick […]

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                                         […]

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 […]