Latest News

Marijuana Legalization Fails in Vermont House of Representatives

Marijuana Legalization Fails in Vermont House of Representatives   In a key victory over marijuana lobbying money, public health advocates defeat legalization and commercialization push   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 3, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [MONTPELIER, VT] – A coalition of public health advocates in Vermont defeated a legislative marijuana legalization effort […]

Statement from SAM Canada on the Canadian Statement to the UN General Assembly on April 20, 2016

Statement from SAM Canada on the Canadian Statement to the UN General Assembly on April 20, 2016 Contact Pamela McColl pjmccoll@shaw.ca www.learnaboutsam.ca We are greatly disappointed that Canada used its precious time on the global stage to promote the legalization – and thus commercialization – of cannabis. This statement sent a powerful message from our […]

Let’s Be Clear Georgia and its Partners Score a Win with the Georgia General Assembly

STATEMENT ON GEORGIA VICTORY: For the past several months the majority of Let’s Be Clear Georgia activity has focused on “medical” marijuana legislation in the Georgia General Assembly. Let’s Be Clear Georgia’s over 300 collaborative members, staff and board, partnering with National Families in Action, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PACG), the Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia, […]

Statement on Drug Caucus Hearing From SAM Honorary Advisor Patrick J. Kennedy and SAM President Kevin Sabet

Statement from SAM Honorary Advisor  Patrick J. Kennedy and SAM President Kevin Sabet Today, former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, SAM Honorary Advisor, and SAM President Kevin Sabet released a statement on the hearing today held by the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, “Is the Department of Justice Adequately Protecting the Public from the Impact of […]

SAM Statement to the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), March 2016, Vienna, Austria

Statement for the record from SAM KEVIN SABET Today I am speaking on behalf of multiple civil society organizations in the Drug Policy Futures network, including SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, in opposition to some member states’ legalization of psychoactive drugs. These actions violate the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, and threaten international […]

Let’s Be Clear GA, National Families in Action, and Partner Organizations Severely Limit “Medical” Marijuana Bill in Georgia

Let’s Be Clear GA, National Families in Action, and Partner Organizations Severely Limit “Medical” Marijuana Bill in Georgia   Coalition pared down original 24-page “medical” marijuana bill to seven pages-eliminating, among other provisions, in-state cultivation; in-state dispensaries; unlimited THC % with no cap (instead of a 5% limit)   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2016 […]

GAO Calls Out DOJ for Not Documenting Plan to Monitor Marijuana Legalization Outcomes

GAO Calls Out DOJ for Not Documenting Plan to Monitor Marijuana Legalization Outcomes   Justice Department officials told investigators that they “they did not see a benefit” in documenting marijuana monitoring activities   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2016   Contact: Jeffrey Zinsmeister jeff@learnaboutsam.org +1 (415) 680-3993   [WASHINGTON, DC] – Giving substance to the saying, […]

Dr. Madeline Meier Responds to Latest IQ and Marijuana Studies

Today, Dr. Madeline Meier, Professor at Arizona State University, commented on two studies (here and here ) regarding IQ and marijuana use. Dr. Meier stands firm by her previous research showing an up to 8-point reduction in IQ among heavy marijuana users. Her statement is here: “Unfortunately for your headline writers, there is no controversy here.  Our […]

JOURNAL PRINTS CORRECTION: MARIJUANA USE LINKED WITH 2.5-FOLD INCREASE IN PSYCHOSIS

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 RELEASES SCATHING REPORT ON MARIJUANA

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

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 […]

SAM is hiring again!

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 […]