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Dear Friends,

Recently we shared that some of our accomplishments over the past six months were profiled in Reuters ([link removed]) . We were ecstatic that our national-level work captured their interest and decided that we should take it upon ourselves to shine a light on what we have been working on at the state-level, as this fight must be waged at all levels. Keep reading to learn more about our ongoing work in key battleground states.


** Montana
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SAM Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos speaking at the Montana State Capitol

Our team of volunteers on-the-ground led by Leanna Troesh worked with us to craft ten bills working their way through the state government. The bills that are highlighted have successfully passed at the 2025 Montana Legislative Session:
* The most important: A bill to introduce potency caps. Unfortunately, our bill to place potency caps on THC products did not move forward but more attempts have not been ruled out.
* A bill that improves consumer transparency and youth safety
* A bill to reduce product THC edible serving sizes and require that each unit only contains one serving.
* A bill to ban advertising of marijuana and THC products.
* A bill to restrict the medical marijuana program and the promotion of warning labels.
* A bill that reallocates marijuana tax revenue to fund treatment and youth programs as well as law enforcement support.
* A bill banning intoxicating hemp edibles

Bills that did not pass still generated considerable public dialogue and we will leverage that in the next phases of our campaign.

We also plan to fund a public information campaign soon which will involve local partners.

SAM’s Executive Vice-President Luke Niforatos spoke at the state Capitol and informed many decision-makers, including their senate majority leader.

Here’s some videos we created with our partners in Montana to highlight marijuana harms in the region, especially regarding hemp-derived marijuana products
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** Vermont
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SAM’s volunteer affiliate has led the fight for:
* Potency cap in original legislation.
* Fighting to protect potency cap from industry-led effort to roll it back last year and this year.
* Fighting to ban hemp-derived products.


** Texas
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Texas is considering a bill to ban hemp-derived THC products.
* The bill passed the Texas State Senate on March 19th and is currently awaiting passage in the State House.
* These products are packaged and made in a way that looks appealing to children and youth—something we feel is predatory and unacceptable.
* SAM is working at a grass-roots level to promote the voices of Texas citizens to lend support to the bill.

There is another bill that was passed in the Texas State House on April 30th. It aims at imposing stricter regulations on the state's consumable hemp industry, but not banning hemp-derived THC products outright.

The two chambers may have a showdown on whether to regulate or ban hemp-derived THC products. SAM remains actively involved in this space.

Our Parent Action Network (PAN) is directly coordinating efforts there to create a coalition of support.


** Ohio
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Our major focus is getting potency caps on THC products.

SAM is working with local partners to promote the bills of local lawmakers who want to introduce use restrictions to protect public health.
* Right now, there are separate bills under consideration in both the state house and the state senate and there is major support for:
+ Use restrictions.
+ Home grown restrictions.
+ Establishment of potency caps on commercially-available products.

Additionally, SAM worked alongside our Ohio partners to lobby for Senate Bill 86 that recently passed the Senate on April 30. The bill significantly regulates the state’s intoxicating hemp products industry. Now, one can only purchase these products at licensed dispensaries.


** New York
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SAM Parent Action Network (PAN) Director Crissy Groenewegen speaking to reporters at the New York State Capitol

We are planning to launch a public awareness campaign similar to our efforts in Montana.

Our local partners have informed us of the dissatisfaction of the people of New York, especially New York City, about the constant disruption that marijuana creates.

There is also a serious conversation about smell and second-hand smoke akin to the tobacco battles of the past. We believe that the awareness campaign we are about to fund will give frustrated New Yorkers a voice and then begin to make their arguments known at the ballot box—potentially restricting open use.


** West Coast
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Oregon and California have experimented with legalization of not only marijuana but other drugs.
* These laws have produced disastrous results in both Oregon ([link removed]) and California ([link removed])

Now, thanks to SAM’s efforts and our local partners:
* Oregon ended drug decriminalization last year.
* San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie just signed an executive order ending the distribution of drug paraphernalia and creating recovery programs such as providing substance-free shelters.
* To bring aid and awareness to the recovery efforts and to promote anti-addiction policies, SAM is planning to organize a West Coast Good Drug Policy Summit in San Francisco later this year. This summit will bring together the leading voices in national and local drug policy, recovery options, addiction science and medicine.


** Pennsylvania
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SAM Parent Action Network (PAN) Director Crissy Groenewegen with Pennsylvania state legislators as well as fellow advocates

Budget hearings have begun, with Governor Josh Shapiro proposing legalizing marijuana to help balance the budget.

State Senator Scott Martin said the marijuana proposal is unlikely to pass. Nonetheless, we must remain vigilant as the marijuana lobby is becoming increasingly influential in this state.

SAM’s Parent Action Network (PAN) Director Chrissy Groenewegen will be present at a press conference on May 6th at which she will voice our opposition to legalization.

Finally, we have long worked in Pennsylvania with partner groups like:
* Chiefs of Police
* A District Attorneys Association
* Parent groups

Massachusetts

Our office is providing support to on-the-ground advocates in Massachusetts for a slew of bills. On May 7th, we will be testifying alongside them at a Joint Committee hearing on marijuana policy and specifically advancing the following:
* A bill to cap potency in marijuana products
* A bill to require labeling of marijuana products and another to specifically require warning labels
* A bill to improve data collection concerning adult and youth use of marijuana and another to increase data collection overall
* A bill establishing minimum age of entry (21) to marijuana-related events
* A bill regulating the sale of hemp-derived marijuana products
* A bill to study the impacts of marijuana use

Arizona

We have supported our colleague Dr. Gary Kirkilas in his and others’ efforts to tighten regulations on marijuana advertising and prevent appeal to youth as well as curb unlicensed sales via House Bill 2179. The bill comes after years of consecutive bills that were killed since 2020 and would have strengthened regulations on marijuana advertising in the interest of children.

The latest bill, House Bill 2179, boldly addresses the unhinged marketing tactics of the marijuana industry that are clearly directed towards children and youth. One major point is content—the marijuana industry cannot depict content attractive to children (cartoons, etc.) nor depict literal use of the drug on the packaging.

Another major point is that their can be no marijuana advertising in youth-serving places. Schools, parks, and playgrounds are off-limits, as well as substance abuse treatment centers.

On April 29th, House Bill 2179 passed. It is on the governor’s desk and her decision will arrive before June. We are optimistic.

Alabama

On May 6th, a parent from our Parent Action Network (PAN) testified for a bill that would regulate the manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of consumable hemp products containing THC or CBD. The bill passed and is on the governor’s desk.

We can continue our work thanks to your generosity. ([link removed]) Your generosity allows us to continue this vital work. We don't accept funding from addiction-for-profit industries, like Big Tobacco and Big Pharma. We are funded by people like you—people who are concerned about the adverse effects of the commercialization and normalization of marijuana.
Give to the work of SAM ([link removed])

Help us defeat this marijuana crisis ([link removed]) . We humbly ask that you think of us and contribute toward our mission ([link removed]) .

Thank you for your support.

Dr. Kevin Sabet and the SAM team
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Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) ([link removed]) is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. We are professionals working in mental health and public health. We are bipartisan. We are medical doctors, lawmakers, treatment providers, preventionists, teachers, law enforcement officers and others who seek a middle road between incarceration and legalization. Our commonsense, third-way approach to marijuana policy is based on reputable science and sound principles of public health and safety.

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Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) . 107 S West St. Ste. 757 . Alexandria, VA 22314 . USA