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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law Putting Profits Above Health and Safety
Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill to legalize the use of marijuana and its commercial sale into law, over the advice of the overwhelming majority of medical associations, public safety organizations, and social justice advocates. Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action), and its affiliate SAM Illinois – […]
New National Poll: 62% of Registered Voters Disapprove of Marijuana Commercialization
According to a new national poll, 62% of registered voters do not support the legalization and commercialization of marijuana when given more options than prosecuting possession or full legalization. The false dichotomy of legalization versus incarceration is pervasive in national polling, and is promoted by the marijuana industry and its supporters as it makes it […]
NEW STUDY FINDS POT REVENUE COULD BE LARGELY WIPED OUT BY INCREASED COSTS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
A new study shows that a huge percentage of New York’s estimated revenue from legal pot sales would need to be directed toward costs associated with law enforcement and protecting public safety. Smart Approaches to Marijuana New York (SAM NY), in cooperation with the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, has released a first-of-its-kind study analyzing […]
BREAKING: House Adopts Amendment Blocking FDA from Protecting Children From Marijuana Industry
Today, the United States House of Representatives narrowly voted to approve the Blumenauer/McClintock amendment to the Fiscal Year 2019 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill that will prohibit Department of Justice funding from being used to enforce federal law upon stores, facilities, and growers trafficking in so-called recreational marijuana. As a result of this amendment, the […]
UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE FROM PARENTS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS COMMERCIAL POT FAILS TO PASS IN NEW YORK
NY’s Rejection of Commercial Weed Biggest Blow Yet to Big Marijuana Despite massive spending and lobbying by Big Marijuana and its allies, the New York State Legislature rejected commercial marijuana. Dr. Kevin Sabet, former drug policy advisor to President Obama and President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana released the following statement in response: “Today New […]
SAM Releases Comprehensive Report on Impact of Marijuana Legalization
Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to offering a science-based approach to marijuana policy, released its third annual Lessons Learned Report, a comprehensive study of the data outcomes in ‘legalized’ marijuana states. This study, validated by researchers from institutions such as Harvard and Johns Hopkins University and used as primary […]
ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE PUTS WALL STREET, BIG MARIJUANA AHEAD OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES
Smart Approaches to Marijuana-Illinois (SAM-IL), the coalition that has worked to educate lawmakers and the public about the harms of commercializing and legalizing marijuana, released the following statements today about the passage of legislation to legalize marijuana in Illinois. “Today’s outcome is disappointing, as it is a win for wealthy marijuana investors and a loss […]
SAM Declares Victory in New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont
Last week, lawmakers announced that marijuana legalization bills in New Jersey, Vermont, and New Hampshire are all effectively dead for the 2019 session. This litany of victories comes on the heels of a slew of other wins this year in states like Minnesota and New Mexico. “Consecutive years of victories for public health and safety […]
BREAKING: Norway’s Sovereign Fund Reverses Decision to Invest in Marijuana Industry Due to SAM’s Efforts
(Alexandria, VA) – Today, it was announced that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund will reverse a decision to invest 900 million NOK into various marijuana companies and companies with ties to the marijuana industry. This decision comes after Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) partnered with a broad coalition of concerned citizens and associations in the country […]
Marijuana Accountability Coalition Covers Denver With Billboards to Educate Governor Polis on Failed Marijuana Policies
(Denver, CO) – Today, the Marijuana Accountability Coalition (MAC), a Colorado group dedicated to holding the state’s marijuana industry accountable, announced a new billboard campaign aimed at educating Coloradans and Governor Jared Polis on the failed policy of marijuana legalization in Colorado. Governor Polis is currently considering signing bills into law allowing for the creation […]
SAM Recognizes Champions of Public Health With Achievement Awards
At a recent a policy summit in Atlanta, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the leading marijuana policy group offering a science-based approach to marijuana reform, awarded several achievement awards to influential and prominent influencers on drug policy. In recognition of his lifetime of dedication to public health, SAM President Dr. Kevin Sabet presented former United […]
BREAKING: First Release of Data from Canadian Legalization Shows Significant Increase in Youth and Overall Use
(Alexandria, VA) – A new Canadian federal study released yesterday found a 27% increase in marijuana use among people aged 15 to 24 over the last year. Additionally, approximately 646,000 Canadians have reported trying marijuana for the first time in the last three months, an amount almost double the 327,000 that admitted to trying the […]