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[ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 28, 2017]–A proposed government spending bill released today eliminated a provision that has protected the marijuana industry from federal prosecution for violating the Controlled Substances Act. The Rohrabacher-Farr language was eliminated from the Commerce, Justice, Science bill that funds the Department of Justice. In addition, the Financial Services bill retained language preventing […]

Statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding Marijuana Study Committee in Rhode Island   Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org (703) 828-8182   [Alexandria, Va.] –  Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet in response to the passage of a Rhode Island bill to study the effects of marijuana legalization (H.5551): […]

PNC Bank Closing Bank Accounts of Major Marijuana Lobby-Industry Group as Potential DOJ Enforcement Looms over Pot Businesses and Companies Who Service Them   [Alexandria, Va.] — Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a non-partisan, non-profit group focused on evidence-based drug policy, highlighted an announcement that PNC Bank is closing the bank accounts of the Marijuana Policy […]

Statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding Defeat of Vermont Marijuana Legalization   [Alexandria, VA, June 21, 2017] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet in response to the conclusion of a special legislative session in Vermont which failed to pass a marijuana legalization bill:   “This is a […]

New Study Finds Costs of Marijuana-Impaired Driving in Canada Total More Than $1 Billion A new study led by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA) found that the estimated cost of marijuana-impaired driving injuries, collisions, and fatalities totaled more than $1 billion in 2012. Teens and young adults between the ages of […]

Statement by President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana on Senators Booker and Gillibrand’s Marijuana Legislation to Bypass FDA   [Alexandria, VA, June 15, 2017] – Today, Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a national group promoting evidence-based marijuana laws, issued the following statement regarding medical marijuana legislation introduced by Senators Booker […]

Coalition of Concerned Citizens in Compton, CA Urge Attorney General Sessions to Stop Marijuana Commercialization   Leaders in Underserved Community to Speak Out About Marijuana Industry Takeover of Neighborhoods; Present Citizen Petition Asking Department of Justice to Intervene   (Alexandria, VA, June 12, 2017) – Today, a grassroots and broad-based coalition of concerned residents and […]

Tobacco Wholesalers Seeking Marijuana Monopoly   More evidence emerged today about the intent of corporate interests to take over the legal marijuana industry.  According to a report published in the Boston Globe today, the industry involved in delivering and taxing cigarettes sold in Massachusetts is now trying to take advantage of the new law to […]

SAM President Dr. Kevin Sabet went live on NPR Chicago this morning. Take a listen to his complete rundown on marijuana policy (including legalization’s worsening impact on racial disparity, and why legalizing marijuana won’t make Illinois richer) here.

Statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding Marijuana Bill Veto in Vermont   Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org +1 (703) 828-8182   [Alexandria, VA, May 24, 2017] – Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement from SAM President Kevin Sabet in response to Governor Scott’s decision to veto marijuana legalization in Vermont:   […]

Statement From SAM President Kevin Sabet Regarding Today’s White House ONDCP Budget Proposal   Contact: Anisha Gianchandani anisha@learnaboutsam.org (703) 828-8182   [Alexandria, VA, May 23, 2017] –  Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) issued the following statement from SAM President Dr. Kevin Sabet in response to the Trump administration’s budget proposal:   “We are relieved […]

[Alexandria, VA, May 19, 2017] – Today, SAM President Kevin Sabet was featured in an extensive Q&A for Asbury Park Press “@ Issue” in New Jersey. Click on this link or see below for more.   The ongoing effort by New Jersey Senate Democrats to legalize recreational marijuana took another step forward last week with […]