Latest News
“Those Warnings Proved Prescient”: Albany Times Union Editorial Board Concedes SAM Was Right About Legal Marijuana and New York’s Kids
Washington, DC—The Albany Times Union editorial board – responding to a new state Department of Health report showing child cannabis poisonings in New York have doubled since 2016 — acknowledged this week that opponents of legalization “warned during the debate over legalization that edible cannabis products resembling candy or snacks could end up in children’s hands,” adding: “Those warnings […]
SAM CLOSES OUT DEA RESCHEDULING HEARING, URGES JUDGE TO PUT PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST
ARLINGTON, VA—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today marked the conclusion of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s administrative hearing on the proposed rule to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. SAM and allied participants placed extensive scientific and public-health evidence on the record, and the matter now moves to the Administrative Law Judge’s recommended decision. […]
AS HISTORIC MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING HEARING BEGINS, SAM WARNS THE STAKES FOR AMERICA’S KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER
WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) released the following statement as the federal hearing (DEA Hearing Docket No. 26-96) on whether to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III begins. “Rescheduling marijuana is a wolf in sheep’s clothing—it has nothing to do with criminal penalties, very little to do with research, and much more […]
SAM FILES PREHEARING STATEMENT AND REQUESTS SUBPOENA FOR DEA SCIENTIST AHEAD OF MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING HEARING
WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) last night filed its prehearing statement in the federal marijuana rescheduling proceeding, set to begin June 29 (SAM’s arguments are scheduled for July 6-7), laying out the scientific case that marijuana meets the legal standard to remain a Schedule I drug. SAM will present two expert witnesses, both of […]
SAM TO PRESENT TESTIMONY AT DEA HEARING FOR MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING
WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today announced that the Drug Enforcement Administration has granted its request to participate in the upcoming administrative hearing on the proposed rule to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. “We are grateful for the opportunity to make our case,” said SAM CEO […]
SAM CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT RULING THAT THREATENS TO PUT MORE GUNS IN THE HANDS OF DRUG USERS
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today condemns the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Hemani, which weakens 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), the federal law that has long prohibited unlawful drug users from possessing firearms. The ruling comes as marijuana commercialization spreads across the country and high-potency products fuel rising rates of addiction and serious mental-health harms. […]
IN SPITE OF SMALL IMPROVEMENTS, SPANBERGER AND LEGISLATOR CAVE TO THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY
RICHMOND, VA—Last month, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger showed real courage by vetoing legislation that would have legalized commercial marijuana in Virginia. While we commended the Governor’s veto and her public statements on the negative impact of commercial marijuana on public health, we are disappointed that she agreed to include commercial legalization in this year’s budget. […]
SAM ACTION CELEBRATES AS SENSIBLE MARIJUANA POLICY QUESTION HEADS TO MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS
BOSTON, MA—SAM Action applauds the Massachusetts Supreme Court for its unanimous decision to allow “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy” to appear on the statewide ballot on November 3, 2026, giving the people of Massachusetts the chance to decide the future of commercial marijuana for themselves. “Voters will now have the final say […]
SAM APPLAUDS PENNSYLVANIA SENATE FOR REJECTING SB 49, THANKS PARENTS WHO MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD
HARRISBURG, PA—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) today applauds the Pennsylvania Senate for rejecting Senate Bill 49, which failed by a 23–27 vote earlier this week. The bill would have established a new marijuana control board—a structure the marijuana industry has openly backed as a first step toward Pennsylvania’s ultimate goal of recreational legalization. It would also have created a […]
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE BARS MARIJUANA PURCHASES USING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION DOLLARS, DEMANDS CDC REVIEW ON YOUTH CHS
Washington, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the House Appropriations Committee for advancing legislation yesterday that bars workers’ compensation funds from being used to purchase marijuana products. In a March ruling (Peña Garcia v. Director, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs), the Second Circuit established that marijuana’s Schedule I status prohibits injured employees from using workers’ […]
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 […]