Midsummer Highlights

View this email in your browser ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Mission Update
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
[link removed]


** SAM and FDPS Help Organize a Roundtable on Drug Prevention and Recovery in Canada
------------------------------------------------------------

The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions’ (FDPS) Canada affiliate, the

Policy Roundtable On Substance Prevention, Education, and Recovery ([link removed]) , hosted a successful 2024 Symposium in Vancouver, where issues of prevention, treatment, recovery, and public safety were in full focus.


Pictured:

Top: Peter Leech, St’at’imc Tribal Nation, performing an indigenous song.

Bottom: Dr. Lori Regenstreif, Addiction Medicine, Ontario College of Family Physicians.
Learn More Here ([link removed])


** Amendment that will close Delta-8 loophole in Farm Bill passes in House Agriculture and Appropriations Committees ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

After the inadvertent legalization of hemp in 2018, dangerous Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC products became widely available in retail markets. An amendment to close this loophole in the Farm Bill was recently passed by the House Agriculture Committee; if passed, this will be a major victory for public health and safety.
[link removed]
Read More Here ([link removed])
[link removed]
Take Action Now! ([link removed])


** Rescheduling of Marijuana ([link removed]) : Watch the Video Then Take Action ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

As the Biden administration pushes forward with rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to III, Americans should avail themselves of the opportunity to make their voices heard.

Watch SAM’s Rescheduling of Marijuana webinar ([link removed]) and then make sure your voice is heard in opposition of this attempt to loosen federal restrictions around marijuana ([link removed]) .

The deadline for this action is July 22, but now is the time to make sure your voice is heard! ([link removed])

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]) .
[link removed]


** In the News
------------------------------------------------------------

The Washington Times (Op-Ed): Cannabis industry is about money, not medicine ([link removed])

Newsweek (Op-Ed): Marijuana Rescheduling Is High-Risk, Low-Reward ([link removed])

The Baltimore Sun (Op-Ed): Pardons Show Legalization Isn’t About Social Justice ([link removed])
* The Free Press: Was Legalizing Weed a Mistake? A Debate ([link removed])
* Sunday in America with Trey Gowdy: The Failed Marijuana Market Experience ([link removed])
* ABC News Australia: Planet America’s Fireside Chat ([link removed])
* NBC 10 Knoxville: Community leaders discuss future of marijuana in Tennessee after federal proposal on reclassifying as Schedule 3 drug ([link removed])


** The Hill
------------------------------------------------------------

SAM has racked up win after win on Capitol Hill over the past couple of months. We stripped the SAFE Banking Act out of a key appropriations bill, got a provision banning Delta-8 into two must-pass bills, and inserted language in an appropriations bill to block rescheduling and allow the DOJ to crack down on medical pot shops that operate near schools. We also neutralized the Gaetz provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (a ban on marijuana testing for military recruits) and defeated nine pro-pot amendments in the Rules Committee.


** State Updates
------------------------------------------------------------
* New Hampshire: The New Hampshire State House voted to table Senate-passed legislation, backed by Governor Chris Sununu, that would have injected dangerous high-potency THC drugs into the Granite State. Learn more here ([link removed]) .

* Florida: SAM has partnered with Drug Free America Foundation to help educate for science-based drug policies in Florida. For more information on getting involved in Florida, click here ([link removed]) .

* North Carolina: The state General Assembly has adjourned with no decision on medical marijuana legalization, killing the bill for this session.
* North Dakota: North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe approved a petition for circulation ([link removed]) , which would add a measure to legalize marijuana on the election ballot.
* South Dakota: Activists submitted a petition ([link removed]) with nearly 29,000 signatures to place the legalization of marijuana on the ballot.


** Grassroots
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
Learn More About PAN ([link removed])

Parent Action Network (PAN) continues to grow as more and more families are stepping forward wanting to speak out against the legalization and normalization of marijuana. PAN continues to engage with their network through their newsletter, webinar series and other initiatives. Additionally, PAN Director Crissy Groenewegen continues to spread the word about PAN and how we can assist families in advocacy efforts.

Next month, she will be speaking at the D.A.R.E. Conference in Orlando, Florida. Then, she’ll travel to Phoenix, Arizona, to speak at the Power of Hope Conference, before going to Orlando in November to speak at the National Federation of Families Conference.


** Events and Trainings
------------------------------------------------------------

SAM’s Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, delivered a keynote presentation to an audience comprised of multiple prevention coalitions in the Knoxville, TN area.

SAM Trainings:

Schedule a SAM Training today and learn what to say and how to say it.

In-person and virtual trainings are now available for all age groups associated with non-profit organizations, corporations, healthcare, clinicians, social workers, counselors, schools, law enforcement, and local community groups around the country that want to educate their communities and employees on all issues surrounding marijuana. To learn more about our speakers, please visit the training page on our website ([link removed]) .

To schedule a training, please contact us at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

SAM Quarterly Leadership Webinars:

SAM is hosting our second in a series of Quarterly Leadership Webinars on July 16. We invite you to take part in this off-the-record briefing by joining our community of Leadership supporters with a gift of $1,000 or more.

To learn more or get involved please contact John Spurlock, Chief Development Officer at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .


** Stat of the Month
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** Quest Diagnostics released an analysis of workforce drug testing in 2023 ([link removed]) .
------------------------------------------------------------

Quest Diagnostics processed 10 million drug tests in 2023 and found a surge in drug test tampering and that marijuana workforce drug test positivity rate is at an all-time high.
Read More Here ([link removed])


** Resource
------------------------------------------------------------


** SAM’s Marijuana Fact Packs are Back
------------------------------------------------------------

Our updated table-top display packs offer current data and statistics on the negative impacts of marijuana. These packs are 9” x 12” x 4”, full color printing on 120lb card stock and open at the top where you can fill them with promotional materials like SAM’s one-pagers ([link removed]) or information on your organization.


These free-standing packs are perfect educational tools for events and community educational efforts.


Our new packs are available in 25, 50, 75, or 100 count. Order today for your next event by contacting [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .
[link removed] [link removed] [link removed] [link removed]
[link removed]

Copyright 2024 Smart Approaches to Marijuana. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Smart Approaches to Marijuana 107 S West St. Ste. 757 Alexandria, VA 22314 USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])