Top News SAM-Backed Bill Seeks to Massively Reign In Colorado's Marijuana Industry A new bill has been officially introduced by Colorado House Speaker Alec Garnett & Representative Yadira Caraveo (the only member of the state legislature who is also a medical doctor) that is the first-ever, massive regulatory overhaul of Colorado's federally illegal marijuana industry. The bill establishes a scientific review council to analyze the available research on the physical and mental health effects related to the use of high potency marijuana and make recommendations to the legislature on further regulations, such as a cap on marijuana potency. See our full statement and a brief summary of the bill here. SMOKESCREEN SELLS MORE THAN 13,000 BOOKS IN ONE MONTH! We're overjoyed to report that Nielson BookScan reports more than 13,000 units of Smokescreen sold nationwide since its 4/20 release. Order Yours Today! Montana Governor Signs Some of the Tightest Marijuana Regulations in the Country Into Law In a major state victory for SAM, Montana Governor Greg Gianforte signed HB 701, a bill outlining the regulations for marijuana commercialization, into law. SAM and its Montana affiliate, SAFE Montana were both intimately involved in the framing of this bill and see its passage as a great start to reining in the influence of the marijuana industry and preempting its addiction-for-profit marketing and lobbying schemes. The bill includes several major provisions that were championed by SAM, SAFE Montana, and other groups seeking to limit the unchecked power of Big Marijuana. Read more about this "lemon into lemonade" victory here. Effort Seeking to Legalize Marijuana in Louisiana Dies in State Legislature A bill that would have legalized marijuana in Louisiana was tabled following the overwhelming defeat of a companion bill to tax the commercial sale of the substance. While the bill to establish a commercial marijuana market is now dead for this year, another bill seeking to decriminalize minor possession of the drug passed the House and is awaiting debate in the Senate. Learn more about this effort here. SAM Launches National Ad Campaign We recently announced the launch of advertisements targeted toward United States Senators who have recently expressed their reluctance to support an effort being led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to legalize marijuana at the federal level. The first ads launched in Maine, urging Senators Susan Collins and Angus King to "listen to the scientists and put Maine's children first." "The reasons to oppose Senator Schumer's misguided effort are manyfold and this targeted campaign is aimed at reminding senators that as we heed the guidance from our public health experts on COVID-19, we must also heed their warnings on today's high potency marijuana," said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of SAM. "We cannot allow Big Pot to masquerade behind a pretense of social justice while they follow in the footsteps of their Big Tobacco, Big Alcohol, and Big Pharma investors." SAM'S Will Jones Debates Dr. Carl Hart In a segment with the Emmy Award-Winning television show "The Doctors," SAM's own Communications and Community Outreach Associate Will Jones confronted Dr. Hart on his preposterous thesis that because he is supposedly able to "responsibly" use marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, and other designer drugs, they should be legalized. In a poignant clip, Will calls out Dr. Hart for failing to see how his privileged position does not match up with the reality of most drug users in the United States: "Not everyone is a tenured professor with discipline instilled in you from a history of military service. As a drug user, that is a very unique and privileged position. So, when we talk about this normalization of drug use, that is going to hurt the most vulnerable communities that we have in our country." Click here and here to see Will debating Dr. Hart. Speaking engagements and 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 who want to educate their communities and employees on all issues surrounding marijuana. We go beyond slogans and clichés to give you a data-driven and tested approach to marijuana use and its consequences. THIS APPROACH HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS You get to choose the topics that best fit your organization's circumstances. These can include: Lessons learned in legalized states My state legalized marijuana, now what? The social costs of marijuana The connection between marijuana and opioids Marijuana's impact on the workplace Marijuana and the teen brain - and how it affects school performance Marijuana and driving LEARN WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT! What messages work best? Based on years of experience and professional opinion polling, SAM will teach you and your team the critical messages best used in the field and also provide quick answers to questions like: "But isn't marijuana just a plant?" Then, we will teach you how to effectively leverage that experience to have the greatest impact within your organization. Learn how to gather more partners for your quest to educate on marijuana and influence leaders within your network. Click here to view our list of available speakers To reserve a SAM Speaker please email us at [email protected] Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know We are proud to say that copies of Dr. Kevin Sabet's new book, Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know, are flying off the shelves! Smokescreen serves as an exposé on the marijuana industry and pulls the rug out from under the industry's promoters. Click here to order your copy today! As always, thank you for being a SAM supporter. If you can, please support our efforts with a small donation by clicking here. All the best, Colton Grace Communications Associate Smart Approaches to Marijuana Donate to SAM Today Smart Approaches to Marijuana | www.learnaboutsam.org ‌ ‌ Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) | 107 S. West St, Suite 757, Alexandria, VA 22314 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!