Latest News
SAM APPEALS CMS HEMP PILOT RULING TO D.C. CIRCUIT
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today announced that it has filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, challenging a district court judgment entered that upheld the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Substance Access Beneficiary Engagement Initiative (BEI)—a pilot program that would let Medicare […]
SAM CONDEMNS TRULIEVE’S NYSE LISTING AS A DARK DAY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today condemned the New York Stock Exchange’s decision to list Trulieve Cannabis—the first U.S. marijuana company to secure a spot. Trulieve’s shares are set to begin trading on June 10, a milestone made possible only by the Trump administration’s reckless reclassification of marijuana to Schedule III earlier this year. […]
SAM APPLAUDS STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL FOR CHALLENGING FEDERAL MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING ORDER
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the state attorneys general from Nebraska, Louisiana, and Indiana for filing a joint legal challenge to the Administration’s final order reclassifying state-legal medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. These challenges were subsequently consolidated with SAM’s petition in the D.C. Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. “We welcome […]
SAM FILES NOTICE OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN DEA RESCHEDULING HEARING
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) announced it has formally filed notice of its intent to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s rescheduling hearing, scheduled to begin June 29, 2026, and will oppose the agency’s proposed rule to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. “This fight is not […]
COURT DISMISSES ON STANDING GROUNDS: SAM VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST FEDERAL HEMP REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM
Washington, DC—Today, in the District Court of Appeals of Washington, D.C., Trump-appointed Judge Trevor McFadden dismissed SAM and its co-plaintiffs’ challenge to the CMS BEI (“low dose hemp-THC”) program for lack of standing. Kevin A. Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), issued the following statement: “We fundamentally disagree with the court’s […]
SAM APPLAUDS DEMOCRATIC GOV. SPANBERGER FOR HISTORIC VETO OF COMMERCIAL MARIJUANA BILL
RICHMOND, VA—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, for vetoing legislation that would have opened a commercial marijuana market in the Commonwealth of Virginia. “While President Trump is caving to corporate interests by approving flavored vapes, Governor Spanberger is saying no to a new Big Tobacco,” says SAM CEO Kevin […]
SAM APPLAUDS HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE FOR ADVANCING BILL TO BLOCK MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING, ENFORCE HEMP-THC BAN, AND INVESTIGATE CCP-CONNECTED MARIJUANA BANKING
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the House Appropriations Committee for passing landmark anti-marijuana legislation in its Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The package prohibits the Department of Justice from rescheduling marijuana and includes report language demanding enforcement of the 2025 ban on intoxicating hemp. The Committee also […]
SAM APPLAUDS HISTORIC CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds Burke Law Group and many other domain experts for their historic lawsuit against the marijuana industry. This is the first lawsuit of its kind and a major step forward in efforts to defend public health. “For years, the marijuana industry has operated with impunity—downplaying risks and leaving families […]
SAM ASKS AG BLANCHE AND DEA: WILL FEDS STILL WORK AS DRUG DEALERS AFTER USF TRAGEDY?
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) calls on US Attorney General Todd Blanche and DEA officials to answer whether they will still buy and sell “medical” marijuana after new reports broke that alleged University of South Florida killer Hisham Abugharbieh had long suffered significant mental-health and behavioral issues related to the drug—resulting in an arrest […]
SAM CONDEMNS IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ILLEGAL DIRECTIVE ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) condemns in the strongest possible terms the Trump administration’s illegal move to skip procedural requirements and reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III without following federal law. SAM has also learned today the President is officially urging Congress to reverse the federal ban on hemp intoxicants, an echo […]
SAM: Griffith’s Hemp Regulation Bid is Backdoor Weed Legalization
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) condemns legislation introduced by Reps. Morgan Griffith (VA) and Marc Veasey (TX): the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection (HEMP) Act. “Make no mistake: This is simply an attempt at backdoor marijuana legalization,” said SAM CEO Kevin Sabet. “Again and again, we hear the same argument: that we can somehow regulate our way to safety around these dangerous drugs. […]
SAM: This Maternal Health Awareness Day, Remember How Badly Weed Hurts Mothers and Children
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) highlights the dangers of marijuana to mothers and their children on this Maternal Health Awareness Day—a danger backed up by the best data and recognized by leading medical associations. “One of the most worrying trends around marijuana is its use by expectant and new mothers,” said SAM CEO Kevin Sabet. “Thanks […]