News
Luke Niforatos in Colorado Sun: An audit of the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division discovers significant lapses of oversight
“At the end of July, Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division released its annual performance audit. This division, as specified in the report, is responsible for ‘regulating Colorado’s retail marijuana industry,’ ‘inspecting marijuana stores,’ ‘investigating alleged violations of marijuana laws and rules,’ and ‘pursuing enforcement actions.’ Yet, key findings of the report revealed that though they are charged […]
Senate plans to advance cannabis banking bill by the end of month
Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, an organization against legalizing marijuana, is attempting to urge lawmakers who haven’t taken a position on the bill to oppose it. The group sent a letter to Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who has yet to formally endorse the legislation. Read the entire article here.
Republicans soften on federal marijuana reform in a shift that could make it a reality
A bill that would let legal marijuana businesses get access to major financial and banking institutions is likely to have the votes to pass the Senate. Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, a political organization opposed to marijuana legalization, urged Tuberville to oppose the legislation in a recent letter. “Marijuana is particularly dangerous for young people, a […]
Proposed Marijuana Rescheduling Doesn’t Follow the Science
“This proposed change, like the drug up for discussion, doesn’t smell right. It comes just after intense pressure from pro-marijuana politicians in Congress and soon before a national presidential election. The precise timing of the announcement (HHS released it at 4:20pm) will make potheads around the country nod in approval, but DEA should reject this recommendation.” Read […]
Alabama Conservative Groups and State Legislators urge Senator Tommy Tuberville to withdraw support for “Addiction Banking Act” in letter
Bill Empowers Foreign Drug Cartels, Puts Banks, Addiction-for-Profit Industry Ahead of Public Health (WASHINGTON, DC) – Last week, a group of prominent Alabamans, including state legislators and conservative organizations, led by SAM Action, sent a letter urging Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to rescind his support for the SAFE Banking Act. The signatories, which include Concerned Women for America of […]
Arizona dispensaries welcome potential federal reclassification of marijuana
Smart Approaches to Marijuana president Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug policy official, said the HHS recommendation “flies in the face of science, reeks of politics” and gives a regrettable nod to an industry “desperately looking for legitimacy.” Read here.
Edwards files ‘Stop Pot’ bill ahead of Cherokee vote on recreational marijuana
“Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action President and CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet said: ‘Today’s marijuana isn’t Woodstock Weed. It is a highly engineered drug that’s often wrapped in kid-friendly packaging, with potencies of up to 99 percent. The legalization movement has worsened America’s mental health and addiction crisis by preying on communities of color and young […]
NC’s one spot for legal recreational marijuana? Tribal vote now happening
“Today’s commercial marijuana products are associated with depression, suicidality, IQ loss and most recently psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for young people,” said Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action President Dr. Kevin Sabet in a Sept. 1 news release from the office of Rep. Chuck Edwards. Read here.
Opposition raised against further access to low-THC oil in Georgia
Kevin Sabet, the cofounder of Safe Approaches to Marijuana wrote a letter to Governor Brian Kemp to urge him not to approve the board’s decision, citing research about health concerns and the potential for abuse. “We’re hoping the Governor steps in and uses his power to not allow independent pharmacies to sell these oils. I’m worried this […]
Dr. Kevin Sabet on Georgia Public Radio
Sabet: That gives the impression to, you know, small pharmacies, especially, that these are somehow federally legal. They’re actually federally illegal. Read here.
The Washington Times: Cannabis industry no longer riding high: Job losses, supply imbalances, dwindling profits hit sector
Washington debates ways to link the marijuana businesses with banking, ease tax burdens Read the article here.
The Albuquerque Journal: A warning for parents: Today’s pot comes with serious consequences
“What can parents do? Educate yourself, know what paraphernalia to look for and know the signs of possible use, including physical changes such as bloodshot eyes, and personality changes such as a disinterest in usual activities, hanging out with a new crowd, and isolation. Talk about avoiding drug use in a judgment-free way, stressing that […]
US regulators might change how they classify marijuana. Here’s what that would mean
President Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug policy official, said the HHS recommendation “flies in the face of science, reeks of politics” and gives a regrettable nod to an industry “desperately looking for legitimacy.” Read about it here.
Slightly higher times: Biden administration moves to loosen weed restrictions
The recommendation is the result of a yearlong review initiated by the president. “The addiction profiteers who have been exposed for lying about marijuana’s physical, mental and economic impacts, are desperately looking for legitimacy in the wake of mounting evidence their products are harming millions of Americans,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to […]
Colorado cannabis workers mixed on proposed reclassification
Federal officials could soon be easing restrictions on marijuana under new recommendations issued this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “This is not the time to be saying this drug is not a big deal,” Luke Niforatos said. “This is the time to be saying we need to be cautious with this […]
Report: Biden administration recommends classifying marijuana as Schedule III drug
Luke Niforatos, executive vice president for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, earlier called more research into marijuana-based medications a “good thing.” But the group wants marijuana to stay right where it is, at Schedule 1. “From a scientific perspective, (it) makes no sense to change,” he said. “What we’ve learned from the science … it’s not […]
Federal health agency recommends rescheduling cannabis, report says
The potential move was not greeted warmly by cannabis opponents at Smart Approaches to Marijuana, who said the recommendation “reeks of politics.” The organization, which was active in the campaign to defeat an Arkansas recreational marijuana amendment at the ballot box in November, said the science has “become more damning against marijuana in recent years.” […]
STATEMENT ON HHS RECOMMENDATION TO DEA ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING
Recommendation that Marijuana Remain Illegal Is Sound, But There is No Justification to Downgrade to Schedule (WASHINGTON, DC) – Following media reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is recommending to the Drug Enforcement Agency the rescheduling of marijuana as a Schedule III substance, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and former White House […]
SAM: UNREGULATED THC OILS AREN’T MEDICINE
PHARMACIES SELLING ILLICIT DRUGS RISK HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR CONSUMERS New Regulations Would Turn Pharmacies into Pot Shops Without Community Input (WASHINGTON, DC) – Despite the longstanding position of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which maintain that marijuana is a Schedule I drug that does not have […]
KHON: Experts debate legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii
The organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) said medical cannabis is already legal for patients who need it in Hawaii. The president of SAM said recreational cannabis is a totally different topic. “It’s about fundamentally changing your community,” said SAM president Kevin Sabet, “you know, do you want to see a pot shop and smell […]
DESPITE INDUSTRY’S CLAIMS, PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS, NEW STUDY SHOWS HIGH RATE OF MARIJUANA ADDICTION
(WASHINGTON, DC) — Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading drug policy organization focused on protecting Americans from the addiction industry, released the following statement in reaction to the release of a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Open Network of data from nearly 1,500 primary care patients in Washington State, where marijuana and […]
MARYLAND – WELLS FARGO DRUG MONEY PARTNERSHIP DESERVES GREATER SCRUTINY
Big Banks, Big Marijuana Searching for New Ways to Skirt Federal Law, Protect Drug Dealers (WASHINGTON, DC) – Wells Fargo, the nation’s fourth largest bank, is looking to supersize its operation by becoming the official bank for drug money in Maryland. Big Banks partnering with Big Marijuana isn’t new, despite the claims of pro-addiction activists. […]
RAMASWAMY IGNORES THE SCIENCE AND DATA, BACKS ADDICTION-FOR-PROFIT INDUSTRY
GOP Hopeful Backs Expanding Drug Use Despite Damning Medical Data, Skyrocketing Rates of Use (WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading marijuana policy organization, issued the following response today to Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to support the federal legalization of THC drugs produced from marijuana. “Parents, medical professionals and law […]
BUD LIGHT FIASCO’S COLLATERAL DAMAGE: EXPANDING THE MARIJUANA DRINK INDUSTRY
Sale of Eight Beer Brands by Faltering Anheuser-Busch to Major Marijuana Drug Company Risks Diluting Regulations Leading to More Dangerous, Drinkable Drug Products (WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), released the following statement today in response to Anheuser-Busch’s sale of eight of its brands including Shock Top, Blue Point, Breckenridge Brewery, Redhook Brewery and HiBall […]