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** FDPS and SAM Take the Prevention and Recovery Message Global
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Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, the President of SAM and FDPS, and Luke Niforatos, the Executive Vice President of both organizations, attended the Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs (APFAD). The APFAD is a biennial conference that brings together anti-drug practitioners and advocates from around the world with a special focus on Asian efforts. Since the inaugural conference in 2015, APFAD has become a strategic platform for the regional anti-drug community to discuss best practices in addressing the liberalization of drug policies.

In his speech, Dr. Sabet noted, “the international legalization movement is looking to Asia and Africa for messengers…We must look to our North Star of discouraging the destructive behavior.”

Hear Kevin’s full speech here ([link removed]) .

Read coverage of this event in The Straits Times here ([link removed]) .

Follow SAM on YouTube to see video for this and other events. ([link removed])


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** Colorado Newsline: Psychedelic centers create a danger to kids and exacerbate Colorado’s mental health crisis ([link removed])
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SAM and FDPS Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, warns about Colorado’s newest experiment on the public, psychedelic centers. Niforatos stated, “Now that the state of Colorado has issued its first license for

the operation of a ‘natural medicine business’ the public must not be misled into believing that psychedelic drugs are safe or effective. These drugs — and the for-profit businesses that sell them — threaten to harm children and exacerbate Colorado’s mental health crisis.” Read the article here ([link removed]) .

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** SAM EVP Luke Niforatos Featured in PBS’ "A State of Mind: High Risk - The Truth About Weed ([link removed]) ”
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High Risk: The Truth About Weed ([link removed]) , a revealing episode of PBS’ A State of Mind that examines the alarming

connection between marijuana use and serious mental health issues. With most states having decriminalized marijuana, states that have fully legalized it are facing the consequences and sounding a warning to others considering similar actions. SAM’s Executive Vice President, Luke Niforatos, joined a host of parents and former marijuana users to warn others that, “This new marijuana is a dangerous drug; and we’re just beginning to understand what that looks like.”

Watch the full episode here ([link removed]) .

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** SAM’s Policy Analyst, Connor Kubeisy, Named Harvard Student Employee of the Year
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Connor Kubeisy was named a Harvard Student Employee of the Year ([link removed]) for his work as a policy analyst with Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and its sister organization, the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS).

The Student Employee of the Year Award is given to one undergraduate and one graduate student each year. “Connor has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to our organization,” said SAM President & CEO Kevin Sabet, who nominated Kubeisy for the award. “He has established himself as one of SAM’s go-to team members for navigating the technical dimensions of drug policy. Connor is thorough, organized, and detail-oriented-qualities that have consistently elevated the quality and accuracy of our work, and significantly strengthened our capacity to advance our mission.” Read more here ([link removed]) .


** In the News
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Newsweek (Op-Ed): To Save America’s Youth, Lawmakers Should Invest in Drug Prevention ([link removed])
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The Christian Post: A Psychedelic Trip that Offers to Bring You Closer to God? ([link removed])
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Alcoholism Drug Addiction Weekly: We Need Health Warning Labels on Marijuana and THC Drug Products ([link removed])
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Politico Pro: Congress takes more conservative approach to marijuana policy ([link removed])


** Legislative Update
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Over the past month, the marijuana industry has gotten members of the House to re-introduce the same failed legalization bills that have no chance of passing in the 119th Congress. It is a less than ringing endorsement of the SAFE Banking Act’s political potential and viability that Senator Daines has decided not to introduce it again ... at the peak of what should be his political influence after retaking the Senate.

Read SAM Government Affairs Director Jordan Davidson in Politico here. ([link removed])

Meanwhile, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) has pushed forward with our innovative policy solutions like banning delta-8 THC and the No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act. Both of these efforts are gaining traction among Democrats and Republicans alike. Just last month, Rep. Nathaniel Moran of Texas co-sponsored the No Deductions bill!

Click here ([link removed]) for an inspiring message from SAM Government Affairs Director, Jordan Davidson.


** State Updates
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Wisconsin: The State Legislature quashed the budget proposal to legalize marijuana ([link removed]) in Wisconsin.

Florida: The State Legislature failed to pass ([link removed]) any of the bills to regulate hemp-derived THC products in the state.

Pennsylvania: Despite the negative impacts on public health and safety, HB 1200 ([link removed]) , which would have allowed for state-operated marijuana stores, passed the State House, but it was voted down in the Senate Law and Justice Committee, so it will not be coming up for a vote.

Indiana: SB 478 ([link removed]) , which would legalize the sale of dangerous intoxicating hemp products in the state, was killed late last month.

Alabama: Alabama HB 445 ([link removed]) has passed the legislature and is on the way to Governor Ivey to be signed. If signed, this bill will ban all smokeable hemp products and products containing psychoactive cannabinoids that are created by a chemical synthesis, modification, or chemical conversion. It would also ban online and drive through sales, and regulate all consumable products, limiting THC potency, where it can be sold, and prohibiting free samples.

Texas: SB 3 has passed the House and is now headed back to the senate for final vote. This bill bans Delta 8, Delta 9 and all other forms of intoxicating THC, including beverages and prohibits the retail sale of any cannabinoid in the state, with the exception of CBD and CBG. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Tennessee: Governor Bill Lee’s signed HB1376 ([link removed]) , which severely restricts the addiction industry’s ability to sell dangerous, psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoid products in the state. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Ohio: Ohio SB 86 has passed the General Assembly. While Governor DeWine has not signed the bill, it is likely to become law in the absence of a veto. Read more here ([link removed]) .

Vermont: State lawmakers have moved to integrate medical and recreational marijuana sales due to the failure of the current medical marijuana business model. Soon, designated recreational retail stores with a medical use endorsement may be selling medical products, in addition to recreational products, as soon as this July. This raises the question of retail budtenders selling to customers they may not be qualified to serve. Read more here ([link removed]) .

For an update on SAM’s recent work in the states, click here ([link removed]) .


** Grassroots
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Parent Action Network (PAN) continues to grow as we welcome more and more parents into the network who share their heartfelt stories and are willing to advocate on the harms of today’s THC products. PAN just released its tenth episode of the Fortitude Podcast ([link removed]) and is planning on releasing at least two episodes a month to share as many stories as we can. It is our hope that even legislators will listen to these episodes and learn more about how many people are negatively impacted by the legalization and normalization of today’s products.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, PAN shared messages highlighting the dangers that today’s high-potency products pose to our mental health. We are also working on various new initiatives to raise our parents’ voices and create awareness. If you haven’t already seen it, please don’t miss this issue of PAN’s newsletter ([link removed]) , which is jampacked with important resources, information on what’s happening around the country and shout-outs to both advocates and legislators making a difference around the country.

If you are interested in joining the Parent Action Network to raise your voice on marijuana policy, please contact us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=null&body=null) .


** Events and Trainings
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Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, the President of SAM & FDPS, provided a virtual presentation for the International Blue Cross (IBC) pre–General Assembly workshop. IBC protects people from being harmed by alcohol and other drugs. As a non-governmental organization, IBC unites 38 independent national organizations in 36 countries under its umbrella.

Watch the full presentation here ([link removed]∨=OWA%2DNT%2DMail&cid=2a2b259e%2D1abd%2Dd9ec%2Df4ac%2Dab6841f20db3&ga=1&referrer=StreamWebApp%2EWeb&referrerScenario=AddressBarCopied%2Eview%2E898da503%2D4442%2D488c%2Da5c4%2D60d258ef81dc) .

Jordan Davidson, SAM Government Affairs Director, made two separate trips to TN this month providing a presentation for an Employee Assistance Professionals Association in Knoxville and also a presentation at the 2025 Partners in Prevention Conference in Nashville.


** SAM Trainings: Schedule a SAM Training today and learn what to say and how to say it. ([link removed])
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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])


** Stat of the Month
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** Marijuana use during pregnancy linked to significant neonatal outcomes ([link removed])
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A systematic review ([link removed]) found that prenatal marijuana use is associated with significantly increased odds of adverse neonatal outcomes, even after adjusting for factors such as tobacco use. THC, the

main psychoactive marijuana component, can cross the placenta and interacts with fetal cannabinoid receptors. This has raised concerns about fetal development while marijuana is being used. Despite this, counseling on marijuana use in pregnancy is inconsistent partly due to previous limited and mixed evidence. This study strengthens the evidence-base and increases confidence in the association of prenatal marijuana use with neonatal risks. Learn more here ([link removed]) .


** Resource
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** Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) Psychedelics One-Pager ([link removed])
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Psychedelics, or hallucinogens, are a category of mind-altering drugs found in plants and fungi or are synthetically produced. It appears that they are next on deck for legalization, following the same playbook as marijuana. As we see more and more press on their medicinal “benefits” and their use become increasingly culturally acceptable, this one-pager provides information needed to counter the age-old messaging that they are “natural, safe, and harmless.”

Click here to download FDPS’ one-pager on psychedelics. ([link removed])


** Resource
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** SAM/FDPS Take Prevention and Recovery Message to the Global Stage
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SAM's recent presence at the Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs in Singapore allowed us to bring our message of prevention and recovery to the world stage. It also showed us that we are not alone in this fight. This is a global issue, and SAM is leading the way. Our work is only possible because of individual gifts from our community of support. We are funded by people, not corporations or special interests. Please make a gift today here ([link removed]) , or contact John Spurlock, Chief Development Officer, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=&body=) .

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