SAM Mission Update

Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy and SAM and FDPS President and CEO, Dr. Kevin A. Sabet.

As Nation Faces Addiction Crisis, Kennedy, Sabet Unveil New Blueprint for National Drug Policy

On April 30, The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) revealed The Hyannis Consensus: Blueprint for Effective Drug Policy to an audience on Capitol Hill. The Blueprint is our comprehensive drug policy document that seeks to promote a culture of prevention and a climate of recovery. The event was successful, with meaningful conversations between our panelists about how to combat the continuing drug and mental health crises.

Learn more about this event here.

SAM Speaks Out on Marijuana on the Greg Kelly Show

Dr. Kevin A. Sabet spoke with The Greg Kelly Show on 77 WABC about Justin Bieber, marijuana addiction, and the growing public backlash against efforts to normalize and commercialize marijuana.

Watch the full episode here.

SAM on CBC Vancouver’s The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn

Dr. Kevin A. Sabet sat down with Stephen Quinn on his podcast to discuss the national drug policy climate, especially in light of the upcoming 2025 federal elections. They discussed harm reduction, prevention, a measured approach to addiction, and policy platforms.

Listen to the podcast here.

SAM’s Government Affairs Officer Recognized in National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association’s (NDASA) 30 Under 30 list

Jordan Davidson was recognized by NDASA for being one of 30 incredible young professionals in their industry aged 30 and under who represent the future of safe workplaces, families and communities. This recognition honors the hard work, aspirations, commitment, and dedication of the younger generation while inspiring them to share their passion with their colleagues. You can find the 30 Under 30 list in NDASA’s magazine, The Voice, here.

In the News

Newsweek: Congress, Don’t Give the Marijuana Industry a Tax Cut | Opinion

Fox News: Four important ways Trump can tackle the drug crisis and Make America Healthy Again

Denver 7: Colorado issues first psilocybin license to healing center in downtown Denver

Washington Examiner: Trumps drug czar nominee can make America healthy again

SAM Launches New Substack

Smart Approaches to Marijuana has launched The Drug Review, which will showcase original content from us on all things drug policy and discourse, especially with regards to marijuana. We also think there is room to showcase the personal and human elements that make up this story too. Don’t miss the first piece featuring Heather and Randy Bacchus who share what their family went through with their son’s marijuana use and the devastating results.

Learn more about this new resource, subscribing, and how to submit content here.

Legislative Update

Over the past month, SAM has been gearing up our appropriations and reconciliation efforts. Now that the Congressional budget reconciliation process is moving forward, we have an opportunity to pass the SAM-authored No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act.

In April, SAM and FDPS President & CEO, Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, and FDPS advisor, Marcia Lee Taylor, were the keynote speakers at a webinar about National Fentanyl Prevention Awareness Day hosted by the House Bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus.

State Updates

Alabama: Alabama has two bills related to psychoactive hemp products in Senate committees. SB 273 is in the Business and Industry Committee, and SB 274 is in the Health and Social Services Committee.

Florida: Hemp regulation bill SB 438, which would ban all Delta-8 products and limit the amount of Delta-9 hemp-derived products to no more than five milligrams per serving or 50 milligrams per container, passed unanimously in the Florida Senate.

Georgia: SR 427, which establishes a Senate Study Committee on intoxicating cannabinoids in high-THC hemp-derived products, passed this session. This study committee will promote a thorough gathering of knowledge on this complex scientific and policy issue, producing a report that will recommend how to close significant aspects of the hemp loophole in Georgia. No pro-marijuana/THC/hemp legislation––such as HB 220, HR 227, and SB 254S––passed this session.

Indiana: SB 478, which would have risked public health and safety by legalizing and normalizing dangerous THC drugs, did not get final approval from the legislature. Read more here.

Nebraska: A bill to regulate medical marijuana in the state, LB 677, stalled in an executive session in the Legislature’s General Affairs Committee. Learn more here.

New Hampshire: The New Hampshire Senate Judiciary Committee voted against House Bill 198, which would have legalized certain quantities of marijuana, citing public safety concerns. Read more here .

New Jersey: On the third anniversary of state commercial marijuana sales, data released by the state’s police makes it clear: legalization has made the roads significantly more dangerous. Learn more here .

New York: Four years after the signing of New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) it’s abundantly clear that the state’s embrace of pot profiteers has been anything but safe and isn’t fulfilling any of those promises. Learn more here.

Grassroots

April has been a busy month as we continue to welcome more parents into the Parent Action Network. We are also celebrating the third anniversary of PAN and the second anniversary of the release of our newsletter. All newsletters are available on our webpage on the SAM website. We recommend reading our debut issue, as it features Sue Rusche, who was one of the founders of the original Parent Movement and the former President and CEO of National Families in Action. She was an inspiration for the creation of PAN.

April is also National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and Alcohol Awareness Month, and unfortunately, host to what is known as the marijuana culture’s “high holiday,” 420. Our debut issue also features a commentary on the origins of this “holiday.” This year, we countered the pro-industry’s 420 messaging with a video campaign to educate the public on the harms of today’s high potency products and why marijuana is nothing to celebrate. The videos featured the parents and professionals from our webinars stating facts and highlighting how marijuana negatively impacted their lives. You can find those messages here or on Facebook and X.

We continue to support our families and are currently working with parents from Texas, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, helping them prepare for various events and hearings in their states and communities.

Events and Trainings

All Hands on DEC: “The best harm reduction is prevention.”

SAM President and CEO, Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, and Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, discussed how marijuana is harming children and families across the country at the National Alliance for Drug-Endangered Children’s (NADEC) Awareness Day.

Watch the full presentation here.

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.

To schedule a training, please contact us at [email protected].

Stat of the Month

Learn More Here

Marijuana Users are at an Increased Risk for Dementia

A recent study in JAMA Neurology found that individuals who required hospital-based care due to marijuana were at an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia. Compared to the general population, this population of marijuana users was 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with dementia within 5 years.

Resource

SAM Marijuana Myths and Facts One-Pager

Don’t be fooled by the marijuana industry’s promises! This one-pager lists 14 myths on the purported benefits of the drug that the industry circulates and counters them with science-based facts.

Download the Marijuana Myths and Facts One-Pager here.

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