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The original version of this article appeared in exxpress. At the MCC Budapest Summit on the global drug epidemic, exxpress spoke with Kevin Sabet. He is the president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, a long-time advisor to several U.S. presidential administrations and one of the most well-known experts in drug policy. Immediately after his keynote—in which he described the […]

Hungary’s drug policy is “an example because it’s a very clear message and nobody can be confused about what the law says. I don’t necessarily think people should be imprisoned for years for having a joint, but we need not be encouraging that behavior, which is what legalization or decriminalization can do,” Dr. Kevin Sabet […]

To educate New Yorkers about the harms of marijuana use, particularly the use of high-potency THC drugs, Smart Approaches to Marijuana has launched alongside our New York Impact Report a new awareness campaign: WHAT IS MARIJUANA? It’s a question more policymakers and legislators should have asked before deciding to create the Empire State’s legal market. […]

WASHINGTON, DC—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the historic vote tonight by the US House of Representatives to close the hemp loophole and protect American families and public health.   SAM President & CEO Kevin Sabet released the following statement:   “For years, the predatory intoxicating hemp industry poisoned millions of children, deceived adults, and tricked lawmakers […]

One common public argument from Big Weed is that “Marijuana legalization is a settled, a political inevitability!” Well, new data from Gallup proves that dead wrong.  Just look at those numbers:   Overall, Americans of all party ID’s are backing away from legal weed since the peak of support around 2023: A drop of basically 9% in two years. That’s insane velocity given the overall slow […]

Researchers from McGill University conducted a study that looked at how the age one starts using marijuana is related to later health problems, both mental and physical. The results were stunning. They found that frequent marijuana use starting early (before age 15) is associated with a 51% higher chance of mental health problems. For physical health problems, a […]

Researchers in Ohio conducted a study on years of traffic data and found that 42% of drivers who died in car crashes tested positive for active THC in their blood—at astonishingly high levels. The study also noted that based on the autopsy reports, these were clearly not cases of residual use but recent use, within an hour […]

COLUMBUS—Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President and CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet applauds Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s executive order banning intoxicating hemp products.  “Banning dangerous and addictive drugs marketed to kids is a public health non-negotiable,” said Sabet. “Intoxicating hemp products were putting kids across Ohio in danger for years before Governor DeWine stepped up to […]

More bad news for marijuana users: Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University conducted a study that found that among patients with heart failure, marijuana users had a 19% higher chance of readmission and a 60% higher chance of death than nonusers. The researchers explicitly juxtapose these findings with the increasing social and legal acceptance of marijuana, cautioning clinicians to […]

A study by Australian researchers found that children of mothers who had cannabis use disorder while pregnant are 79% more likely to have any anxiety disorder and 146% more likely to specifically have PTSD. It is painfully ironic that something marketed to moms to “mellow out” goes on to give their kids anxiety disorders. But these ugly ironies seem […]

Washington, D.C.—Monday saw the marijuana industry abuzz with news that President Trump had posted a video on Truth Social arguing that CBD has wide medical benefits for older Americans.   Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) CEO Kevin A. Sabet said in response: “Big Marijuana boosters shouldn’t get too excited. If the past is any guide, these […]

62.7% of likely voters are less likely to support rescheduling if it gives big weed companies more financial incentive to advertise to children  WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new poll administered by Wes Anderson and his firm On Message Inc. finds that 62.7% of likely voters say they’d be less likely to support federal marijuana rescheduling if it gives […]