SAM in the Press

On Thursday, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have allowed the recreational retail sales of marijuana to begin next year. Gov. Youngkin said legalizing the recreational sale of marijuana would only hurt the Commonwealth. “Cannabis is bad for Virginia and in all other states that have had an extensive retail market, what […]

Vice President Kamala Harris looked up from prepared remarks in the White House’s ornate Roosevelt Room this month to make sure the reporters there could hear her clearly: “Nobody should have to go to jail for smoking weed.” Harris’ “marijuana reform roundtable” was a striking reminder of how the politics have shifted for a onetime […]

Read Dr. Kevin Sabet in Newsweek: Now Is Congress’ Chance To Close Its Hemp Loophole—And Save Lives | Opinion Read SAM Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos in The Denver Gazette – Perspective: Missing the mark on marijuana

As the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate draft their versions of the Farm Bill, closing a loophole that has facilitated the nationwide proliferation of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products, like Delta-8 THC, should be a top priority. For America’s kids, the stakes could not be higher. Delta-8 THC is one of hundreds of cannabinoids found in the […]

Sabet: “The biggest challenge we are all facing is turning our backs to the vision of a society where we prevent drug use before it starts and celebrate recovery.” (VIENNA, AUSTRIA) – In a rousing speech to the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet warned international leaders gathered […]

Vice President Kamala Harris, with the help of rapper of Fat Joe, held a conversation on marijuana reform at the White House. “When the Vice President calls me, I stop everything,” said Fat Joe. Harris hosted the roundtable to highlight the administration’s efforts to free individuals jailed for nonviolent marijuana possession and expand opportunities once […]

THE HOUSE recently passed HB 1633-FN, a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. This is a commercialization sales model, which is directly opposite from the state-run system that Governor Chris Sununu said was the only type of business model he would accept. In 2023, Governor Sununu reversed his long standing promise to drug prevention and law enforcement […]

Despite the risks, more states continue to legalize marijuana in some form.  Currently, only four states still fully ban it.  They are Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, and Wyoming.  However, South Carolina is now considering legalizing marijuana for medical purposes. Kevin Sabet, Ph.D., president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, told CBN News he opposes that legislation. “I […]

When, in the waning days of the Obama administration, the government concluded that marijuana would continue to fall under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, scientists weren’t surprised. After all, marijuana, according to the administration, “does not meet any of the five elements necessary for a drug to have a ‘currently accepted medical use.’” […]

Bill to Legalize Marijuana Has Previously Been Defeated At Least 10 Times (HONOLULU, HI) – 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 the Hawaii State Senate voting to flood the […]

It’s rare for policymakers to get a preview of the consequences of pending policies, but the descheduling of hemp-derived THC products has provided a preview of what is to come if marijuana is rescheduled and commercialized. As the federal government considers rescheduling marijuana, policymakers should learn from the mistakes that were made in the 2018 Farm […]

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 […]