Latest News

JOURNAL PRINTS CORRECTION: MARIJUANA USE LINKED WITH 2.5-FOLD INCREASE IN PSYCHOSIS Psychology of Addictive Behaviors journal makes corrections, SAM calls on media to correct stories   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 19, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – A prominent journal article about marijuana and health which resulted in media […]

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON MARIJUANA’S HEALTH IMPACTS AS LEGISLATURE MULLS LEGALIZATION – PREDICTS 12th GRADE MARIJUANA USE TO INCREASE BY 10% IF VERMONT LEGALIZED MARIJUANA The report also predicts a near 30% increase in emergency room visits due to marijuana if the state legalizes FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2015 Contact: […]

DEA WAIVES REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR  CBD RESEARCH, ADOPTING SAM RECOMMENDATION   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2015   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – Researching one of the non-intoxicating components of marijuana, cannabidiol (CBD), will now be made easier because of new DEA regulations released today. In line with SAM’s […]

Because of generous contributions, SAM is expanding again! We are hiring a full-time Communications and Marketing Director, and a part-time Special Assistant. FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working on drug policy issues, is seeking an experienced, energetic, detail-oriented, full-time Communications Director in our office located in Old Town […]

 HHS Survey of States: For the First Time, Colorado Leads the Nation in Regular Marijuana Use Among Youth Comprehensive state-by-state survey reveals trends not captured in nationwide studies FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 17, 2015 Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993 [WASHINGTON, DC] – The most comprehensive federal government drug use survey conducted in all 50 states […]

PRESS STATEMENT December 16, 2015 8:30 p.m.   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, SAM President Dr. Kevin A. Sabet made the following statement on the U.S. Solicitor General’s amicus curiae brief submitted to the Supreme Court regarding the case Nebraska v. Colorado: “The hype about the Obama administration’s brief […]

CONGRESS PREVENTS POT INDUSTRY FROM LEVERAGING BANKING SYSTEM TO MASS-MARKET MARIJUANA; ALLOWS DOJ TO ENFORCE FEDERAL LAW WITH RESPECT TO “RECREATIONAL” MARIJUANA USE   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2015 1:00 p.m.   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – The Omnibus spending bill passed early this morning in Congress did […]

U.S. YOUTH DRUG SURVEY: MARIJUANA USE REMAINS STRONG DESPITE DROP IN OTHER DRUG USE; SURVEY DESIGN MISSES KIDS NOT IN SCHOOL   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2015 12:01 a.m.   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – The nation’s annual school survey of drug use, Monitoring the Future (MTF), shows marijuana use […]

FACT SHEET ON THE RECENT DECISION OF THE MEXICAN SUPREME COURT REGARDING MARIJUANA Major news organizations are exaggerating or misconstruing the scope of the decision by the Mexican Supreme Court—issued by a 4-to-1 vote of a panel consisting of five of that tribunal’s eleven judges—to allow four people to cultivate and consume marijuana for personal […]

OHIO VOTERS REJECT  MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION Voters decide against legalizing marijuana in key 2016 swing state;  opponents win despite being outspent by more than 15:1 COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio voters have rejected the legalization of marijuana in their state, sending a strong message from a key swing state to 2016 Presidential candidates and to the rest […]

SAM presidential scorecard updated SAM UPDATES PRESIDENTIAL SCORECARD AFTER SANDERS’ COMMENTS AND REPUBLICAN DEBATE   Candidates evaluated on three criteria, including support for treatment and prevention for users as alternatives to incarceration, a true medical marijuana program based on scientific research, and opposition to legalized and commercialized marijuana for recreational use WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today […]

PRESS STATEMENT                                                    Today, SAM President Kevin Sabet made the following statement on HR 3561, introduced by Rep. Earl Blumenauer: “While we disagree with Rep. Blumenauer’s attempts to legalize marijuana and legitimize a […]