SAM’s News

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Former Congressman and Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) Honorary Chairman Patrick J. Kennedy released the following statement today in advance of Vice President Kamala Harris’ roundtable on criminal justice reform, which is being co-opted by Big Marijuana, the new Big Tobacco: “For more than a decade we have said people should not be incarcerated for […]

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 […]

By Connor Kubeisy, Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions  For years, advocates for the legalization of marijuana have been telling skeptical voters that dispensaries would not sell their products to minors. Their primary arguments have remained unchanged: legalizing and regulating marijuana is the only way to ensure that it will not end up in the hands of […]

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) 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 Biden Administration’s budget request. Two key highlights as it relates to marijuana policy 1) the White House Office of National […]

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 […]

As a man is jailed for life for the murder of four members of the same family, the case highlights the link between cannabis and psychosis. Read the entire article HERE.

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.

The scheduling of drugs is not a “harm index” or directly used to determine criminal penalties for drugs. Scheduling is not synonymous with the danger of a drug. Rather, it is a technical legal term that categorizes drugs according to their potential for abuse and accepted medical value.

Virginia Legislation Passed with Only One Republican Vote in Either Chamber Would Lead to Higher Youth Use, More Drugged Driving Deaths, and Significant Societal Costs RICHMOND, VA) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement in response to legislation […]

Joseph A. Ebner, MD, FACOG of Plymouth is a member of the NH Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) Advisory Committee. “As a parent, I am concerned with the rising use of recreational marijuana in society, especially in our youth and young adults. As a physician, I see firsthand the effects of marijuana on health, and […]

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 […]

Nation’s Leading Pro-Health Drug Policy Organization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action, Calls on Legislators to Protect Public Health and Safety  RICHMOND, VA) – A coalition of dozens of medical and health professionals, including pediatricians, obstetricians, nurses, and surgeons have authored a letter to Virginia State House Speaker Don Scott, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, […]

By Connor Kubeisy, Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions February 1st marked three years since Oregon implemented Measure 110, the nation’s first experiment with the decriminalization of all drugs, including meth, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Measure 110 has been a demonstrable failure by nearly all measures, seeing increases in fatal overdoses, nonfatal overdoses, illicit drug use, […]

Further Normalization of THC Drugs, Marijuana Will Have Devastating Consequences, Especially for Germany’s Young People WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) 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 German Bundestag’s vote to decriminalize marijuana and allow […]

Nine times Senate leaders have seen through Big Marijuana’s big promises. They need to do it again.  (CONCORD, NH) – In response to a vote by the New Hampshire State House of Representatives to advance H.B.1633, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor to […]

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 […]

Mold, pesticides and heavy metals can contaminate pot products, threatening to sicken users Marijuana contaminated with arsenic, lead or mold is causing serious, even life-threatening illnesses around the country as use of cannabis products explodes. People who have used marijuana have higher levels of heavy metals in their blood and are more likely to develop fungal infections, […]

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 […]

SAM Action Applauds Senate President Chris Kapenga for Recognizing the Dangers Marijuana Poses to Public Health and Safety (MADISON, WI) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement today in response to reports that the GOP-led medical marijuana legalization bill (AB1040) is effectively […]

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 […]