General

Click here to read our factsheet and background document on the Rohrabacher Amendment.

The State of Georgia and GW Pharmaceuticals have forged an unprecedented agreement that is a smart, compassionate way to ensure children with intractable epilepsy receive a new medication based on a non-intoxicating component of cannabis.

There is no debate: marijuana is addictive and harmful to brain development, and current trends showing increased use among adolescents are profoundly troubling, Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, told thousands of people gathered last week in Washington, D.C., for an annual meeting of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, […]

Of the 2.4 million Americans who try marijuana for the first time each year, 58 percent are under the age of 18. That’s why when we’re debating drug policy and the impact of marijuana on society, we cannot ignore kids. Because the brain isn’t fully formed until about the age of 25, youth are especially […]

A statement issued by the University of Colorado School of Medicine: AURORA, Colo. (May 15, 2014) – The proportion of marijuana-positive drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes in Colorado has increased dramatically since the commercialization of medical marijuana in the middle of 2009, according to a study by University of Colorado School of Medicine […]

The world of marijuana is changing. And that means the world of marijuana-related news stories is also changing. With two states having legalized the drug, there is certainly a lot to write and talk about.

SAM’s Chairman, Patrick Kennedy, speaks to Global News BC1 in Vancouver about the dangers of marijuana use and legalization.

Patrick Kennedy and Christopher Kennedy Lawford join Chris Matthews for a second time to discuss marijuana legalization in the United States.

SAM’s Director, Kevin Sabet, joins Bill O’Reilly to discuss marijuana legalization in the United States.

SAM’s Board Member, Christopher Kennedy Lawford and Chairman, Patrick Kennedy, join Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball to discuss recovery.

Following consultation with Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) and Dr. Kevin Sabet, Senator Susan Collins of Maine asks FDA Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, about the development of FDA-approved marijuana-based medicines.    

SAM is pleased to team with more than 50 drug-prevention groups and agencies in Missouri to present the Missouri Marijuana Prevention Tour!

A groundbreaking, new study, published April 16 in the Journal of Neuroscience, is consistent with research showing that the more marijuana people use, and the earlier they start using the drug, the more likely they are to harm what one researcher said is “part of the brain you do not want to mess around with.”

We hope you’ll review SAM’s 4/20 Report Card: Colorado. This document, culled from many public records, prevents early data revealing troubling developments in that state.

SAM CHAIRMAN PATRICK KENNEDY BRIEFS ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AT CAMP DAVID ON TROUBLING DATA FROM COLORADO New report released by SAM reveals problems with legalization, including increased marijuana positives among employees, marijuana advertisements, new data on marijuana’s effects on the brain, and tobacco company interest in marijuana e-cigarettes. DENVER, CO – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) […]

SAM is happy to announce that it will hold its first annual National Marijuana Action Summit this summer! July 19-20 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Preceding the CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute Click here to see why your sector should attend! Visit midyear.cadca.org/samsummit for more details! Speakers include: Patrick Kennedy Dr. Kevin Sabet David Frum […]

Commentary: Don’t Go To Pot The 50 states are sometimes called “laboratories of democracy”. Although the expression is intended to highlight in flattering terms how innovative they can be, it also suggests that the states’ political experiments can and do fail. In the event of failure, the hope must be that damage can be stopped […]

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Broadcast: 26/03/2014 Reporter: Ben Knight Watch here: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2014/s3972278.htm  

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE CONVINCINGLY REJECTS LEGALIZATION The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted 192-140 on Wednesday not to legalize one ounce of recreational marijuana, demonstrating that legalization is not inevitable. Concord, NH – On Wednesday March 26, the House voted 192-140 against legalizing one ounce of marijuana for recreational use in New Hampshire. “This is […]

SAM Featured in CNN’s Sanjay Gupta’s Documentary, “Weed 2” March 12, 2014 – [Washington, DC] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Co-Founder, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy released the following statement about “Weed 2,” Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s CNN Documentary that featured Congressman Kennedy: “As shown on Dr. Gupta’s documentary, SAM believes that marijuana contains medical value. […]

First Month of Marijuana Tax Revenue in Colorado Falls Well Short of Expectations March 11, 2014 – [Denver, CO] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Co-Founders, Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy and Executive Director Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, released the following statement about marijuana tax revenue in Colorado: “It appears that Colorado is falling well short […]

SAM, MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS & ANTI-DRUG COALITIONS SEND LETTER TO U.S. DOJ CALLING FOR MARIJUANA TO REMAIN AS A SCHEDULE I DRUG & MORE GOVERNMENT RESEARCH ON ITS MEDICAL COMPONENTS Over ten major organizations join Smart Approaches to Marijuana in pressing the DOJ not to reschedule marijuana; coalition calls for the government to increase research on […]

By Gene Sapakoff, February 22, 2014 Never mind that Roger Goodell didn’t officially open the door to medical marijuana use within a National Football League beset with concussion controversy. The drive-by mention by the NFL commissioner at the Super Bowl struck a chord. Pro football players, agents and media types continue to chime in, most […]

Pivotal Point Is Seen as More States Consider Legalizing Marijuana A little over a year after Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana, more than half the states, including some in the conservative South, are considering decriminalizing the drug or legalizing it for medical or recreational use. That has set up a watershed year in the battle […]