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** Dr. Kevin Sabet and SAM EVP Luke Niforatos Kick Off West Coast Prevention and Recovery Event
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The Foundation for Drug Policy Solution’s (FDPS) West Coast affiliate, the Pacific Alliance for Prevention and Recovery ([link removed]) , led by Tom Wolf, hosted our first West Coast summit in San Francisco, where issues of recovery and social justice were in full focus. Mayor London Breed and San Francisco decision makers attended and supported this extremely successful event!
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The award-winning podcast, A Moment with Erik Fleming ([link removed]) , featured a one-on-one conversation with SAM President and CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet and Erik Fleming, the former ACLU Mississippi Policy Director.
Listen to Podcast Here ([link removed])


** The Gazette Features SAM in 420 Editorial
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SAM’s Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, is featured in “Don’t Celebrate Colorado’s Pot Predators ([link removed]) ,” which calls out the marijuana industry for ignoring “the very real damage legalization has done to our state — and especially to our youth.”
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Read Article Here ([link removed])

SAM’s Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, participated in a panel session at the Canada Strong and Free Networking ([link removed]) Conference inI Ottawa, Ontario.

Luke also delivered a keynote presentation at the 2024 Lifesavers Conference ([link removed]) in Denver, Colorado.


** The Dispatch
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Dr. Kevin Sabet comments on the current state of Oregon’s Measure 110, noting that the policy “has been a demonstrable failure by nearly all measures.”

“Oregon Taps Out of Drug Decriminalization” noted that FDPS’s survey ([link removed]) found 64% of Oregonians now back repealing some aspects of the Measure.
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Read Article Here ([link removed])


** In the News
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“Man & Culture: Profile of Kevin Sabet – Does America Have a Marijuana Crisis?” ([link removed])
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BBC World News: Cannabis partially decriminalized in Germany ([link removed]) ([link removed])

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The Los Angeles Times: Biden, at risk with young voters, is racing to shift marijuana policy ([link removed])
* Florida Phoenix: Only 3 states have passed recreational weed ballot measures by more than 60%. Will Florida be next? ([link removed])
* Roanoke Times: Long – Youngkin’s veto of retail pot bill a victory for common sense ([link removed])
* Hawaii Public Radio: House committee won't take marijuana legalization bill any higher ([link removed])


** The Hill
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In April, SAM’s government affairs team focused on a new legislative initiative: allowing the Department of Justice to prevent medical marijuana dispensaries from being located in school zones. Under the Federal Drug Free School Zones Act, it is illegal to sell controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school.

Yet laws protecting state medical marijuana dispensaries prevent this law from being enforced. SAM is working with a grassroots coalition of parents to change these laws and maintain drug-free school zones.

Our team also spent time educating Congressional staffers on the SAFER Banking Act, Delta-8 THC, and other legislative battles. As a part of our anti-4/20 efforts, SAM held a briefing on these issues in the Capitol hosted by the House Republican Policy Committee.

You can get involved by contacting your legislators and encouraging them to: Oppose the Rescheduling of Marijuana ([link removed]) , Ban Delta-8 ([link removed]) and Reject the SAFER Banking Act ([link removed]) .


** State Updates
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* Hawaii: The Hawaii State House wisely rejected marijuana commercialization ([link removed]) , protecting public health and safety. The full Hawaii Senate killed a bill that would have decriminalized marijuana possession. ([link removed])
At right: Hawaii Prosecutor Steve Alm and SAM, Hawaii allies speaking in opposition to SB2487.

* New Hampshire: HB1633, a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, has passed the House and has been scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, April 25. If passed, this bill will legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older and support a model overseen by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. However, Governor Chris Sununu has said he will not sign HB1633 into law ([link removed]) .
* Florida: The Florida Supreme Court ruled ([link removed]) to allow a marijuana legalization amendment on the 2024 ballot ([link removed]) . If passed, this would legalize the possession and use of marijuana for residents over 21.
* Pennsylvania: New marijuana legalization bill, HB 2210, ([link removed]) was introduced in the PA House by Rep. Amen Brown (D-Philadelphia). This bill mirrors a bill in the State Senate (Senate Bill 846 ([link removed]) ).

Find SAM’s new Linktree to current legislative actions here. ([link removed])


** Grassroots
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PAN continues to grow as more advocates––especially parents––come to us for guidance and training on how to advocate for good drug policies. Please check out our page ([link removed]) and sign up for our monthly newsletter and webinar series. This month’s webinar ([link removed]) will feature Dr. Aaron Weiner, an addiction psychologist, who will help dispel the myths surrounding medical marijuana. Look out for the invitation and more details in the coming days. One of the best ways for PAN to learn how we can best support you is by having you complete our Interest Survey.
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Take the PAN Survey Here ([link removed])


** Events and Trainings
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** Register today ([link removed]) for our May 22nd SAM Webinar:
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** Hemp Derivatives
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May 30, 2024, Vancouver, BC
Register Here ([link removed])

Join PROSPER, the Policy Roundtable on Substance Prevention Education and Recovery, ([link removed]) for its launch and a discussion of drug prevention, recovery, and policy!

The 2024 PROSPER Symposium ([link removed]) will be taking place at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre in Vancouver, Canada on May 30th! This is a call to action for anyone concerned about the addiction crisis to join us in building a healthier and safer Vancouver, British Columbia, and Canada.

Save the date for the 2025 SAM Good Drug Policy Summit ([link removed]) once again taking place in conjunction with CADCA’s National Leadership Forum at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

The 2025 Summit will take place on February 6-7. For more information on how to get involved, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
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Learn More Here ([link removed])

SAM’s Government Affairs Manager, Jordan Davidson, delivered presentations at an addiction conference in Cheshire, Connecticut, and at the 2024 American College of Medical Toxicology Annual Scientific Meeting and Symposia in Washington, DC.

Schedule a SAM ([link removed]) Training!

If you're in search of an inspirational presentation or lecture on the latest drug trends data, please contact us today to learn more about scheduling a SAM speaker for an in-person or virtual presentation for your organization. To learn more about our speakers, please visit the training page on our website. ([link removed])
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Copyright 2024 Smart Approaches to Marijuana. All rights reserved.
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