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ICYMI: SAM President Kevin Sabet in the Wall Street Journal
In an op-ed published in Wednesday’s print edition of the Wall Street Journal, SAM president Dr. Kevin Sabet laid out why scientists and top researchers are urging caution regarding Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s new discussion draft of a bill to legalize marijuana.
“We should learn from our current drug epidemics—tobacco and opioids. Both have been disastrous, and both stem from legal industries whose business model is to profit from addiction,” argues Dr. Sabet. “It would be productive to decriminalize low-level marijuana possession and allow arrest records to be expunged… But this is very different from commercialization—a policy that would legalize the use, possession, production, and sale of marijuana and allow major corporations to advertise and promote their products. Commercialization would allow big companies to profit from addiction.”
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U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Calls on President Biden to Elevate ONDCP Director to Cabinet |
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In a letter exclusively obtained by SAM, United States Senator Chuck Grassley -- the Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee -- called on President Joe Biden to re-elevate the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to its previous Cabinet-level position.
"Since ONDCP and its leadership are vital to fighting drug abuse, the placement of the ONDCP Director in the Cabinet could be a useful and critical tool," said the letter.
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Marijuana Industry Banned in more than 70% of New Jersey |
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According to the Asbury Park Press, roughly 71% of towns in New Jersey — close to 400 in total — have approved local ordinances that ban marijuana industry activity. This includes marijuana storefronts, cultivation, production, “pot bars,” and delivery services.
This is a significant victory for public health and is the direct result of the hard work of our many supporters who were able to use materials found in our Local Control Resource Center to organize their communities and take control over the pot industry to keep their neighborhood’s safe.
Check out our Local Control Resource Center to learn more about how you can accomplish this in your community:
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New Grant Allows SAM to Implement Statewide Education Campaign in New Mexico |
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SAM is proud to announce we have been awarded a grant from Daniel’s Fund, an organization dedicated to improving the lives and communities of individuals living in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
The grant will be used by SAM to plan and execute a statewide education campaign in the form of opinion pieces, webinars, and school engagements to educate youth, parents, school leaders, and policymakers as to the potential harms of marijuana use.
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We have partnered with National Families in Action in order to help raise awareness on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s bill to legalize marijuana nationwide and cement the marijuana industry in all 50 states.
As such, we are asking all of our supporters to take action today by sending a message to your representatives in the United States House of Representatives and Senate.
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Dr. Sabet joined Fox & Friends to discuss how the marijuana industry's effort to artificially drive up THC content is having a serious impact on both mental health and the environment: |
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New Study: Heavy Marijuana Use Correlated with Poor COVID-19 Outcomes |
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According to a new study from researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, problematic marijuana use is correlated with poorer COVID-19 outcomes.
“As sociocultural attitudes and laws surrounding cannabis use become increasingly permissive, and COVID-19 continues to spread, we need to better understand how cannabis use, as well as heavy and problematic forms of use, are associated with COVID outcomes,” said Ryan Bogdan, associate professor in the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences in a press release from the university.
This study suggests that heavy marijuana users may have a more severe reaction to COVID-19 and reducing or ceasing heavy use of the drug may help protect against severe COVID-19 reactions.
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New Study Outlines Public Health Impacts of Marijuana Legalization |
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A study in the journal Neuropharmacology analyzing the public health impacts of marijuana legalization in the United States found the following developments have resulted due to the change in drug policy towards the substance:
- Public attitudes towards marijuana have turned positive, fueled by the positive media portrayal of the drug;
- The use of the drug has increased
- Traffic fatalities have increased; and
- There has been an increase in mental health issues
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Adolescent Marijuana Use Associated with Low Birth Weight and Pre-Term Birth |
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In a massive, 20 year study, Australian researchers found strong evidence that daily use of marijuana at age 15-17 by a pre-conception parent was associated with a more than 6X increase in the odds of offspring pre-term birth and/ or low birth weight.
The study called attention to prior research finding heavy or regular use of marijuana may influence other health risks, such as other substance use, poor nutrition, and intimate partner violence, all of which are associated with a risk of pre-term birth.
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Registration is now officially open for the 2021 Virtual Fall SAM Summit! This year’s Fall SAM Summit will be taking place on Friday, October 22nd from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Eastern.
The 2021 Virtual Fall SAM Summit is supported by: “Climb, a gloo engagement solution”
Attendees to this year’s Fall SAM Summit will hear from top experts in the field discussing various topics. Take a look at the lineup of speakers for this year’s Fall Summit:
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Registration for the Fall SAM Summit is required with a suggested donation between $69 to $129 (any donation is appreciated.) In order to complete the registration process, you must checkout with any dollar amount you wish. |
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Smokescreen: What the Marijuana Industry Doesn't Want You to Know
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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 and is officially a bestseller, with over 20,000 copies sold!
Smokescreen serves as an exposé on the marijuana industry and pulls the rug out from under the industry's promoters.
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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
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