2025 brought one of the most consequential public health victories in recent drug policy history: the closure of the hemp loophole in the federal Farm Bill. That loophole created today’s world of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products—products that never should have existed, let alone been legal to sell. SAM played a central role in guiding the collaborative effort to close the loophole—working with lawmakers, prevention leaders, and partners nationwide to put public health and youth safety ahead of industry profit. Doing so took persistence, expertise, and years of groundwork—all of which YOU made possible.
Our work this year extended well beyond Washington. At sessions of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, we stood up for sound drug policy. In Canada, we organized a groundbreaking conference through our continental affiliate, PROSPER, and partnered with leaders pushing back against so-called “safe supply” policies that are leaving communities in crisis. Finally, our work in Singapore, Tanzania, Kenya, and Hungary further reinforced a sobering reality: the consequences of misguided drug policy do not stop at state lines—or national borders.
Here at home, SAM launched a major awareness campaign in New York, challenging the normalization of marijuana and exposing the real harms of commercialization with a bold and innovative ad campaign. We also published our New York Impact Report, which documented the harms of legalization in the Empire State. Just south of New York, in Pennsylvania, SAM was busy working with families and lawmakers to oppose a government-run recreational marijuana distribution proposal. This is just another example of SAM standing with those who recognize that expanded access does not mean reduced harm.
We also took an important step forward organizationally with the opening of our new headquarters in Washington, DC, just steps from the Hart Senate Office Building. Being this close to Congress and the Administration will allow our team to deepen relationships, host policy briefings, and respond quickly when decisions are being made.
This year also marked the release of my bestselling new book, One Nation Under the Influence, which has helped to bring awareness of these issues to a broader audience at a critical moment. It also adds to SAM’s expansive media footprint. Throughout the year, SAM’s voice reached millions through national media coverage, including in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Free Press, Newsweek, UnHerd, Fox News, C-SPAN, CNN, CNBC, and many other national and regional venues.
Every one of these moments matters because clear, science-based perspectives are essential in a debate too often driven by ideology and industry talking points.
Now for the hard part.
As you all know, in late December, President Donald Trump directed his administration to complete the process of downgrading marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.
This decision could have terrible consequences for public health. If the rule goes into effect, corporate marijuana companies will receive huge tax relief, allowing Big Weed to spend more on marketing to hook a new generation of users.
This would be a public-health crisis of unprecedented scope. That’s why we have already taken significant action to fight it.
We have retained former United States Attorney General Bill Barr’s firm, Torridon Law, to sue the administration to stop this rule.
We are announcing two campaigns to end marijuana sales and commercialization in Massachusetts and Maine. The Massachusetts campaign has already generated major media attention; it now faces legislative review after having gathered more than 74,000 signatures.
We are fighting in Congress to pass the No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act, a bill we worked with Senators Pete Ricketts and James Lankford and Representative Jodey Arrington on. If marijuana were to be rescheduled, this bill would prevent the marijuana industry from receiving the tax break associated with the drug being classified in Schedule III.
We are regularly updating our new rescheduling page with more information on what this means, fresh resources, and ways to push back.
We are doing the same for our new state resource page with recommendations on next steps. This page is a resource to the country’s decision-makers and advocates who are concerned about this ruling. It specifically provides support to the states with “trigger laws,” laws that require them to adjust their own regulation of marijuana depending on how it is federally scheduled.
The marijuana industry is better funded and more politically connected than ever before. Rescheduling will only amplify that ugly dynamic. SAM exists to stand in their way, but we can only do that with your help.
So, please: If you have not yet made your year-end gift, make one today. If you have already given, please consider an additional or increased contribution. Your support right now directly determines our ability to keep fighting in Washington, in the states, in the media, and wherever else sane public health policy needs a defender.
This work is urgent. It is necessary. And it is making a difference.
Please make your year-end gift to SAM today and help ensure that our voice remains strong in the year ahead.
