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US regulators might change how they classify marijuana. Here’s what that would mean
President Kevin Sabet, a former Obama administration drug policy official, said the HHS recommendation “flies in the face of science, reeks of politics” and gives a regrettable nod to an industry “desperately looking for legitimacy.” Read about it here.
Slightly higher times: Biden administration moves to loosen weed restrictions
The recommendation is the result of a yearlong review initiated by the president. “The addiction profiteers who have been exposed for lying about marijuana’s physical, mental and economic impacts, are desperately looking for legitimacy in the wake of mounting evidence their products are harming millions of Americans,” said Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to […]
Colorado cannabis workers mixed on proposed reclassification
Federal officials could soon be easing restrictions on marijuana under new recommendations issued this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “This is not the time to be saying this drug is not a big deal,” Luke Niforatos said. “This is the time to be saying we need to be cautious with this […]
Report: Biden administration recommends classifying marijuana as Schedule III drug
Luke Niforatos, executive vice president for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, earlier called more research into marijuana-based medications a “good thing.” But the group wants marijuana to stay right where it is, at Schedule 1. “From a scientific perspective, (it) makes no sense to change,” he said. “What we’ve learned from the science … it’s not […]
Federal health agency recommends rescheduling cannabis, report says
The potential move was not greeted warmly by cannabis opponents at Smart Approaches to Marijuana, who said the recommendation “reeks of politics.” The organization, which was active in the campaign to defeat an Arkansas recreational marijuana amendment at the ballot box in November, said the science has “become more damning against marijuana in recent years.” […]
STATEMENT ON HHS RECOMMENDATION TO DEA ON MARIJUANA RESCHEDULING
Recommendation that Marijuana Remain Illegal Is Sound, But There is No Justification to Downgrade to Schedule (WASHINGTON, DC) – Following media reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is recommending to the Drug Enforcement Agency the rescheduling of marijuana as a Schedule III substance, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana and former White House […]
SAM: UNREGULATED THC OILS AREN’T MEDICINE
PHARMACIES SELLING ILLICIT DRUGS RISK HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR CONSUMERS New Regulations Would Turn Pharmacies into Pot Shops Without Community Input (WASHINGTON, DC) – Despite the longstanding position of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which maintain that marijuana is a Schedule I drug that does not have […]
KHON: Experts debate legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii
The organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) said medical cannabis is already legal for patients who need it in Hawaii. The president of SAM said recreational cannabis is a totally different topic. “It’s about fundamentally changing your community,” said SAM president Kevin Sabet, “you know, do you want to see a pot shop and smell […]
DESPITE INDUSTRY’S CLAIMS, PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS, NEW STUDY SHOWS HIGH RATE OF MARIJUANA ADDICTION
(WASHINGTON, DC) — Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading drug policy organization focused on protecting Americans from the addiction industry, released the following statement in reaction to the release of a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Open Network of data from nearly 1,500 primary care patients in Washington State, where marijuana and […]
MARYLAND – WELLS FARGO DRUG MONEY PARTNERSHIP DESERVES GREATER SCRUTINY
Big Banks, Big Marijuana Searching for New Ways to Skirt Federal Law, Protect Drug Dealers (WASHINGTON, DC) – Wells Fargo, the nation’s fourth largest bank, is looking to supersize its operation by becoming the official bank for drug money in Maryland. Big Banks partnering with Big Marijuana isn’t new, despite the claims of pro-addiction activists. […]
RAMASWAMY IGNORES THE SCIENCE AND DATA, BACKS ADDICTION-FOR-PROFIT INDUSTRY
GOP Hopeful Backs Expanding Drug Use Despite Damning Medical Data, Skyrocketing Rates of Use (WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading marijuana policy organization, issued the following response today to Republican Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy’s decision to support the federal legalization of THC drugs produced from marijuana. “Parents, medical professionals and law […]
BUD LIGHT FIASCO’S COLLATERAL DAMAGE: EXPANDING THE MARIJUANA DRINK INDUSTRY
Sale of Eight Beer Brands by Faltering Anheuser-Busch to Major Marijuana Drug Company Risks Diluting Regulations Leading to More Dangerous, Drinkable Drug Products (WASHINGTON, DC) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), released the following statement today in response to Anheuser-Busch’s sale of eight of its brands including Shock Top, Blue Point, Breckenridge Brewery, Redhook Brewery and HiBall […]