SAM in the Press

Kevin Sabet is the President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a political organization opposed to marijuana legalization and commercialization. He said today’s marijuana that you buy on the street is stronger than ever. “It’s much more harmful than it used to be. It’s been genetically bred to have the component that gets you […]

Measure 110 was passed by voters back in 2020 in the hopes of addressing addiction as a health issue rather than a legal one. It decriminalized the possession of many drugs, including small amounts of hard drugs like methamphetamine, fentanyl and heroin. But since its passage, data shows Oregon’s drug problem has gotten worse. Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of the Foundation […]

Listen to the entire segment HERE.

SAM’s Jordan Davidson comments RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – The plan to create a retail marketplace for marijuana continues to move forward in the Virginia General Assembly. Democrats in the House and Senate have agreed on a compromise that would allow sales to start next year. But its future is still uncertain with the possibility of […]

Top political leaders are wise to demand more information and stop the spread of these illegal operations. The link between the Chinese government and fentanyl is widely known. Using Mexican producers, international drug cartels linked to the Chinese government are laundering money and trafficking deadly drugs — and killing Americans at a record rate. But there’s […]

Proponents of federal bans point to dangers of high-potency THC Luke Niforatos is the executive vice president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a group that opposes marijuana legalization and commercialization. He characterized the movement to challenge the federal ban as another effort by the cannabis industry to normalize marijuana’s use. But today’s high-potency marijuana shouldn’t […]

Dr. Kevin Sabet weighed in on U.S. drug policy on Newell Normand’s show where he said people don’t realize how much drug culture hurts our communities. “I’ve never met anyone who said they would be better off if they used more drugs,” Dr. Sabet said, adding, “It’s really just common sense.” Listen to the whole […]

Those in favor of legalization have pointed out that over 20 states allowing marijuana have enacted what they call ‘sensible public policies’. The opinion for many however, remains unwavering. A former user spoke out against potential legalization Wednesday. “Communities like Denver where there are more pot shops and Starbucks and McDonald’s combined, will not create […]

Watch the entire segment HERE.

Those who have been following the legalization of marijuana have likely heard the familiar industry refrain that commercializing the drugs will generate a mound of tax revenue for state governments starved for cash. As legal weed marks a decade, the data tells a much different tale. This trend is not unique to Colorado, as marijuana […]

Opponents of legalization like John Daviau, the director of state affairs for the nonprofit Smart Approaches to Marijuana, pointed to several concerns. “You’re going to see a 17% increase in substance abuse disorders. You’re going to see a 35% increase in chronic homelessness,” Daviau said. “And a 13% increase in arrests across the state.” READ/WATCH: […]

The Data are CLEAR: Drugs Aren’t Social Justice, Won’t Bring Tax Revenue HARRISBURG, PA) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton, released the following statement today in response to Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s budget, which proposes opening […]

On Anniversary of Legal THC Drug Sales, SAM Calls for State Leaders to Act to Protect Young People (JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement in advance of the one-year anniversary of […]

Resolution Introduced in the Senate by Senator Pete Ricketts and in the House by Rep. Pete Sessions  Highlights Risks Associated with the Commercial Marijuana Industry’s Addictive High-Potency Pot Products (WASHINGTON, DC) – In a first-of-its-kind move, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) have filed a Concurrent Congressional Resolution outlining the dangers […]

Kevin Sabet, an anti-pot campaigner and former White House drug tsar, not only blames the marijuana she smoked, but also the $30 billion-a-year business behind it. ‘Big Weed’ is pushing ever more potent versions of pot’s active ingredient, THC, on a generation of unsuspecting Americans, he warns. ‘The marijuana industry’s lies and misinformation are directly to blame […]

“The debate over Measure 110, passed in 2020, was framed as “treatment over incarceration” for drug offenders. It seems all of us have now learned how wrong this framing was. What appeared to be a constructive debate about finding a better response to drug use was in fact a ballot measure that made drug use a […]

“What we’re seeing in legal states is that the black market for marijuana continues to beat the legal market,” said drug policy expert and Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, Luke Niforatos. It’s legal to grow weed in the state of Maine – you can actually grow about 3 mature plants but border patrol […]

Legislators Urged to Further Reform the State’s Program to Protect Public Health and Safety (HARTFORD, CT) – Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement in advance of the one-year anniversary of commercial marijuana sales in Connecticut:  “Trends across the nation […]

The past two years have industry insiders wondering how to get business booming again, while those against the industry want more regulations.  “We saw the marijuana sales and consumption skyrocket during COVID-19, why was that, well we saw addiction levels to all substances skyrocket during COVID-19 because of isolation, because of mental health challenges and […]

Voters legalized marijuana use in 2012. Today, the industry has more than 2,500 active cannabis business licenses, including 912 retail establishment licenses. In addition, some 36,000 active occupational licenses have been issued to workers in the industry. Luke Niforatos of Smart Approaches to Marijuana characterized the drug’s legalization as a disaster for the state.  “We […]

Efforts to prevent drug use and encourage kids to live free from drugs have come under increased attack. Rather than building on science and common sense, some have begun advocating for an unproven approach to prevention that aims to not prevent drug use at all—instead it educates children on how to use drugs. Policymakers should […]

Read HERE

Protect Our Kids CEO Luke Niforatos discusses growing concerns among parents and medical workers over children’s exposure to hemp-driven products. Watch HERE

Federal drug officials are warning Georgia to shelve its plans to be the first state to allow pharmacies to dispense medical marijuana products. News outlets report that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration on Nov. 27 warned pharmacies that dispensing medical marijuana violates federal law. Michael Mumper, the executive director of the nonprofit Georgians for Responsible Marijuana […]