Latest News

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 […]

Sorry . . . what were you saying? Oh, yes: A massive neuroimaging study led by researchers at the University of Colorado found that huge majorities of young adult marijuana users suffer significant cognitive impairment in everyday life. Specifically, 63% of heavy lifetime users and 68% of recent users experienced reduced brain activity, which is associated with performance issues, […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the House Appropriations Committee for continuing to show incredible leadership in the fight for evidence-based public health policy.   The Committee voted to advance a key SAM priority in its markup Wednesday. Language blocking the sale of recreational marijuana in our nation’s capital—the so-called Harris Rider—was included in […]

Turns out when you keep weed away from kids, you protect their mental health. A team of researchers from USC, Kaiser Permanente, and elsewhere did a massive survey of California youth—almost 100,000—and found that in places where both marijuana storefronts and delivery were prohibited, there was a 67% lower prevalence of psychotic disorders in adolescents while prohibitions on delivery […]