For Immediate Release: October 22nd, 2021 State Representatives Receive Patrick J. Kennedy Advocate of the Year Award, Drug Prevention Advocate Receives Lifetime Achievement Award (Alexandria, VA) - Today, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), the nation’s leading organization opposing the commercialization of marijuana, is proud to announce that Democratic Colorado Speaker of the House Alec Garnett, Republican Connecticut House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, and Democratic Washington State Representative Lauren Davis are the recipients of the 2021 Patrick J. Kennedy Advocate of the Year Award, given to advocates at the state-level who best champions the mission of putting public health and safety ahead of the interests of the marijuana industry. Susan Thau, Vice President for Public Policy at Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), is receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Past awardees include Senators Feinstein and Grassley, Barry McCaffrey, Robert DuPont, Sue Rusche, and several other elected officials and decision-makers. (above) Colorado Speaker Alec Garnett with Dr. Kevin Sabet “These four exceptional individuals are saving lives everyday," said Dr. Kevin Sabet, president of SAM and a former senior drug policy advisor to the Obama Administration. "They are working diligently to educate all Americans on the harms of today's marijuana, and are so deserving of these awards." "This is a distinct honor," said Speaker Alec Garnett. "I am so proud to be affiliated with all of you and proud of the work you have been doing, and I think the sky really is the limit." “I want to thank Smart Approaches to Marijuana for honoring me with the Patrick J. Kennedy Advocate of the Year Award; it’s certainly a great honor to receive such recognition,” said Connecticut House Minority Leader Candelora. “This is just the beginning of our advocacy on this front.” "I am deeply honored to be recognized for this work. In 2012, Washingtonians thought they voted to legalize the cannabis plant. Nearly a decade later, the market is dominated by extremely potent THC concentrates that bear no resemblance to cannabis flower," said Representative Lauren Davis. "These concentrates are fueling a silent epidemic of psychosis, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and cannabis use disorder, particularly among youth and young adults. We must act now to stem the tide." "This is such an honor for me. I love SAM, and I love the fact they speak truth to power and have the courage to stand up to the industry," remarked Sue Thau, the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner. "I am honored to be getting this award from such a courageous organization that is one of a kind." ### About SAM Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states. For more information about marijuana use and its effects, visit www.learnaboutsam.org. Media Contact: Luke Niforatos (202) 856-3308 [email protected]  ‌ ‌ ‌ Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) | 107 S. West Street, 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!