Latest News

FDA Issues Warning Letters on Delta-8 THC

(Silver Spring, Maryland) Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued several warning letters to CBD and THC companies who are illegally selling and marketing products for human and animal use containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta-8 THC, and infusing them in gummi bears and other candies, pet products, oils, and other foods. Dr. Kevin […]

Largest National Coalition of Public Health, Family, Substance Use Education Groups to Oppose Developing Federal Marijuana Legalization Policy, Launch Parent Action Network

Key reasons for opposition include unregulated THC concentrations, impaired driving, youth-targeted marketing and marijuana-induced mental health concerns What: SAM to hold day long Summit at annual Rx Summit on marijuana policy issues Who: Patrick J. Kennedy; Kevin Sabet, Co-Founders of SAM; Head of Illinois NAACP Teresa Haley; Nora Volkow, Director of NIDA; Washington State Rep Lauren […]

U.S. House Passes SAM-Supported Bill Easing Access to Marijuana Research

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAM-supported Medical Marijuana Research Act. The bipartisan bill would remove some barriers that prevent researchers from adequately evaluating the potential risks and benefits of the use of marijuana and its derivatives. Notably, more than 30,000 research studies have been done on the drug under […]

MORE Act Passes House in Useless Show Vote, But Support Dwindles From Last Year

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text](Washington, D.C.) – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the MORE Act, a bill to federally legalize and commercialize marijuana. Despite […]

President Biden’s 2023 Budget Rejects Marijuana Commercialization

(Alexandria, VA) – Sticking to campaign promises, President Biden’s new budget, released minutes ago, rejected marijuana commercialization in several major ways. It does not extend Justice Department protections to legal marijuana states, meaning federal resources can still be used to enforce marijuana laws. Additionally, the budget does not give the District of Columbia latitude to […]

U.S. Senate Passes SAM-Supported Bill Easing Access to Marijuana Research

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the SAM-supported Cannabidiol Medical Marihuana Research Expansion Act. The bipartisan bill – which SAM helped to write – is sponsored by Senators Feinstein, Grassley, and Schatz, and would amend the Controlled Substances Act to remove some barriers that prevent researchers from adequately evaluating the potential risks and […]

New Tobacco and Alcohol Funded Report On Youth Marijuana Use and Legalization Deeply Flawed

(Alexandria, VA) – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) released a rebuttal to a new report from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation (CPEAR), a group funded by Molson Coors, Altria (Philip Morris), private cash and other companies. The report asserted that marijuana legalization is not tied to increases in youth marijuana use–something not supported by their evidence […]

Virginia Marijuana Legalization Bill Defeated; Public Health and Safety Groups Claim Victory

(Alexandria, VA) – Today, a bill to establish a commercial marijuana market in Virginia died in a House of Delegates Subcommittee. This tremendous victory for public health follows a year-long push by the marijuana industry to pass a bill supported by the industry and its investors, including the Big Tobacco giant Altria. A broad coalition […]

South Dakota Marijuana Legalization Bill Defeated; Public Health and Safety Groups Claim Victory

(Pierre, SD) – Today, a bill to legalize marijuana in South Dakota died in the House State Affairs Committee. This tremendous victory for public health follows a year-long push by the marijuana industry to pass a bill supported by the industry and its investors. A broad coalition including Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), law enforcement […]

SAM State and Local Leadership Update

SAM remains active in more than three dozen states, in addition to our work federally (check out our Webinar last week with NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow). Today alone, we are in Ohio speaking with a dozen legislators and on TV, conducting three radio interviews in three different states, meeting with top federal drug officials […]

New Emerson College Poll Finds 53% of New Hampshire Voters Oppose Commercialized Marijuana Market

(Concord, NH) – According to a new state Emerson College poll, 53% of New Hampshire voters do not support legalizing marijuana when presented with other, non-legalization policy options. This poll is significant to state lawmakers as the marijuana industry has renewed its annual push to expand into The Granite State, which allows for possession of the drug, but […]

New Emerson College Poll Finds 55% of Maryland Voters Oppose Commercialized Marijuana Market

(Annapolis, MD) – According to a new state Emerson College poll, 55% of Maryland voters do not support legalizing marijuana when presented with other, non-legalization policy options. This poll is significant to state lawmakers as the marijuana industry has renewed its annual push to expand into the Old Line State, which allows for possession of the drug, […]