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When state lawmakers consider legalizing marijuana, one of the first arguments they make is that the legalization of the drug will bring in tax revenue. Missing from that argument is the reality that the legalization and commercialization of marijuana has real societal costs associated with it that cannot be overlooked. Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) […]

In a speech on Tuesday at the US Naval Academy, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stated that “In 2017, 72,000 Americans OD’d on drugs. In 2018, more people than that have OD’d on drugs, and today, incidentally, we are trying to legalize another addictive narcotic (marijuana), which is perhaps the stupidest thing anybody […]

It’s official. Big Tobacco is continuing its efforts to monopolize the marijuana industry. Altria, one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of tobacco products, announced it is investing $12.8 billion in vaping giant, Juul, a company that controls 68% of the e-cigarette market. Here is why this is a big deal: The move came […]

Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the leading non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to opposing marijuana legalization and holding Big Marijuana accountable, is proud to announce the unveiling of our new initiative, “The Money Trail: Where Big Pot Meets Big Politics,” that tracks marijuana industry donations to elected officials at the federal level. This initiative seeks […]

Today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled his proposal to legalize marijuana in the state. In response, Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York (SAM-NY) and a New York resident released the following statement: “Marijuana legalization would enrich Big Tobacco at the expense of the health […]

(Trenton, NJ) – Today, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy renewed his call to legalize marijuana in the Garden State. In response, Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement: “Last year, Governor Murphy promised to sign marijuana legalization into law within his first one hundred days in office. Today, […]

Pot Poll: Majority of NJ Opposes Legalized Marijuana TRENTON – Put down the vape. The majority of New Jersey residents oppose legalizing recreational marijuana, according to a recent survey conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University. This marks the first time a recent poll in New Jersey has found less than 50 percent support for legalization.

Measuring Colorado’s “great experiment” with marijuana We’re far from CLEARING THE SMOKE over recreational marijuana use. A new federal policy announced this past week takes a tough line. It’s a challenge to states that have legalized use, including, most recently, the biggest state of all. Our Cover Story is reported by Barry Petersen: “I’ve never […]

This week, the First Step Act, a comprehensive, bi-partisan criminal justice reform bill, was passed by the United States Senate by a vote of 87-12. This bill is an important bill, reforming our criminal justice system with an opportunity for treatment, recovery, redemption, and rehabilitation. SAM shares these goals, and they form the basis for […]

Public health and safety advocates, including Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and its state affiliates, are celebrating a year of victories against the growing marijuana industry as multiple marijuana legalization bills failed from coast-to-coast. (1) NORTH DAKOTA GAVE THE INDUSTRY THE BOOT – RESOUNDINGLY Healthy and Productive North Dakota, SAM’s affiliate in the Peace Garden […]

Today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed the legalization of marijuana as a part of his legislative agenda for the upcoming year. In response, the leading statewide nonprofit opposed to the legalization of the drug, Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York (SAM-NY), released the following statement: “It is unfortunate that Governor Cuomo, who has a […]

Tenth grade marijuana use up 10% versus two years ago; vaping marijuana is up more than fifty percent among all age groups; edibles remain popular In the past few years, marijuana use is up significantly, by 10%, among 10th graders, and current vaping of marijuana is up 63% for eighth and tenth graders and 53% […]