This month brought major federal victories in the fight against the normalization and commercialization of marijuana. These wins are not accidental. They are the result of years of strategic pressure, consistent education, and a relentless defense of public health.

In the News

NC should reject backdoor marijuana legalization (Carolina Journal): The Tar Heel State is mulling a measure to “regulate” hemp-derived THC. The bill is a backdoor to full legalization, argues Dr. Sabet. North Carolina needs to just say no.  

The real youth drug crisis is marijuana (The Hill): Dr. Sabet explains why weed must be the real focus of our prevention efforts, and how it drives the drug crisis among American kids. Recent federal legislation shows the path forward.  

Rise in weed use could spark public consumption debate (Spectrum NY): Dr. Sabet spoke with Spectrum’s Kate Lisa about the horrific increase in New York adults using marijuana and the implications for the state’s legal program. 

Legislative Update

THC products off gas-station shelves. Despite Paul holding up the process, the THC ban was voted on by the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously earlier this month after Senator Mitch McConnell endorsed the "Miller Amendment." We are building our coalition of support and have several opportunities to include a ban on all hemp-derived THC in legislation this year!

Click here to tell your Senators to Stand Against Rand and oppose his effort to keep dangerous hemp-derived THC on the market! 

State Updates

Texas: While we are disappointed by Governor Abbott’s veto of SB 3, we commend Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Charles Perry, and the members of the Texas State Senate who voted to pass SB 5 during the Special Session. 

SB 5 now moves to the Texas House of Representatives for further debate. Like SB 3, SB 5 would ban Delta 8, Delta 9, and all other forms of intoxicating THC, including beverages, and would prohibit the retail sale of any cannabinoid in the state, except for CBD and CBG.

North Carolina: HB 328, a bill that aims to prohibit certain forms of intoxicating hemp while allowing others, is currently being debated in the NC state legislature. Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), stated the following in an opinion piece for The Carolina Journal. “The bill’s being sold as an advance for public safety that also recognizes commercial reality. But it would, in effect, legalize marijuana through the backdoor after repeated rejections by the state through the front. The bill is a Trojan horse: It proposes to ban some intoxicating hemp products fully, while legalizing recreational marijuana so long as it is derived from hemp and sold to people over 21 — and away from schools. In other words, a complete surrender to the addiction industry that drives the THC trade.” 

Pennsylvania: Lawmakers in Pennsylvania are currently debating whether to include marijuana legalization in the state budget. SAM calls on lawmakers to reject SB 120 and prioritize public safety rather than the profits of the marijuana industry. 

Grassroots

As more and more families come forward wanting to share their stories, PAN has been busy scheduling and releasing episodes of the Fortitude Podcast, hoping to send a message to our legislators across the country on the dangers of today’s high-potency products and the devastating impact they have had on thousands of families. Our latest episode features Dr. Kristen Gilliland, who shares how the loss of her son, Anders, spurred her on in her role as chemist and neuroscience educator as she turned her grief into action. You can help us get this message out by sharing these stories with anyone you think might benefit from them.  

PAN would also like to thank  Dr. Bertha Madras and Kevin Collins, Senior Prevention Program Manager for the DEA. Both  have contributed to the PAN Newsletter, highlighting the misinformation around psychedelics and the secret language of adolescents, respectively. If you are interested in reading these and other important features and information, please sign up for our newsletter here.

Events and Trainings

SAM Trainings: 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

This comes on top of an avalanche of evidence showing that weed is connected to other severe mental health problems, including schizophrenia. These numbers suggest that marijuana use prevention, especially for youth, could be a matter of life or death. Click here to learn more.

Resource

Click here to access SAM’s detailed Frequently Asked Questions resource page, which provides detailed answers to the most common comments those of us working for science-based, health first marijuana policies and education have encountered.

Donate

Your Support Can Help Ensure Marijuana Stays a Schedule I Drug 

With half of 2025 behind us, we here at SAM are looking ahead to the work that will carry us to the end of the year. A major issue that will keep us busy is the ongoing debate about marijuana rescheduling. Your giving will help us continue to ensure that marijuana firmly remains a Schedule I substance.  

We know why the marijuana industry wants rescheduling. They want to be able to advertise to our kids while deducting those expenses to increase their bottom line. With your help, we will not let this happen. Please continue to help us keep rescheduling off of the federal agenda.

Click here to support SAM’s work on the rescheduling of marijuana.