Latest News
NEW STUDY: Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Increases Risk of Psychosis
A new study published yesterday in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that marijuana use during pregnancy can increase the risk in unborn children developing psychosis later in life. This revelation poses yet another reason the reported recent 75% increase in marijuana use during pregnancy is so concerning. “While the pot industry has been caught recommending […]
House Financial Services Committee Approves Marijuana Banking Bill
Today, the House Financial Services Committee approved H.R. 1595, the SAFE Act, a bill that would grant the marijuana industry access to the federal banking system and open the doors to Wall Street investment. SAM president Dr. Kevin Sabet released the following statement in response: “This bill, the ‘UN-SAFE Act,’ fails to do the very […]
BREAKING: New Study Highlights Skyrocketing ER Visits in Colorado
A new study released yesterday in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that the rise in marijuana use in Colorado since the state legalized the drug has led to increased emergency room visits. The study found that 9,973 marijuana-related emergency room visits occurred from 2012-2016, more than triple the number that occurred prior to legalization. […]
Groundbreaking New UK Study Confirms Link Between Daily, High Potency Marijuana Use and Psychosis
Today, a landmark study published in the prestigious Lancet Psychiatry Journal finds that daily use of high potency marijuana is linked to greater rates of psychosis in Europe. According to the study, an estimated five in ten new cases of psychosis in Amsterdam and three in ten new cases in London are linked with high […]
We Won the Fight in Minnesota
Yesterday, a Minnesota Senate Committee overwhelmingly voted down a bill that would have legalized the commercial sale of marijuana in the state by a vote of 6-3. As the Senate now appears unwilling to address any further consideration of legalization, this means the effort to expand Big Marijuana in the state this year is dead. […]
UN International Narcotics Control Board Slams Marijuana Legalization Efforts
Today, the United Nations quasi-judicial drug policy body, the International Narcotics Control Board, released a scathing report chiding countries who have legalized marijuana and outlining the problems marijuana poses to the health and well-being of youth worldwide. “This report is a bombshell,” said Kevin Sabet. “It is significant that the UN is calling out individual […]
Governor Cuomo and NYC Mayor de Blasio Proposal to Use Marijuana Revenues to Fund Transportation is Misguided
“The proposal being put forth by Governor Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio cannot be taken seriously. State after state that legalized marijuana promised they would be awash in tax dollars — and they have all been sorely disappointed. “In Colorado, they said legalization would bring in $118 million in its first year, only $67 million […]
New Poll Finds 68% of Americans Favor Marijuana Policies Other Than Legalization
Voters less likely to support presidential candidates who take marijuana industry money; also less likely to support legalization when aware of Big Tobacco involvement (Alexandria, VA) – According to a new national poll, 68% of registered voters do not support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana when given more than a binary choice of options. […]
Guest Contribution: “Marijuana Abuse: Increasing the Likelihood of the use of Harder Substances”
Marijuana Abuse: Increasing the Likelihood of the use of Harder Substances By Carissa Webb The subject of whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug has been one of much controversy for many years, but with increasing legislation regarding the legal status of the drug comes the need for this issue to be addressed. The […]
Senator Ron Wyden Introduces Bill to Legalize Marijuana; Big Tobacco Rejoices
Today, Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), along with Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), introduced S. 420/H.R. 420 to remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, establish a commercial retail market, and tax the drug. In response, former Obama administration advisor and President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), Dr. Kevin Sabet, released the following statement: […]
In Case You Missed It: Senator Durbin urges caution on recreational marijuana
According to a story in today’s Springfield Journal Register, Illinois’ senior Senator Dick Durbin urged caution to state legislators looking to legalize recreational marijuana in his home state. “Senator Durbin is right, Illinois needs to slow down and think through their plan to legalize recreational pot. Every state that has legalized has seen unintended consequences […]
BREAKING: Oregon Utterly Fails to Regulate the Marijuana Market; SAM Calls for Moratorium on Sales
Today, an audit conducted by the Oregon Secretary of State found that the recreational marijuana market has failed to stay up to date on mandated inspections, its testing system continues to allow exposure to harmful contaminants, and regulators of the industry have done next to nothing to stop legal marijuana from fueling the black market. […]