Here's how you can continue to support our efforts Dear Friends of SAM, As we enter 2022, and so many of us are not celebrating with our friends and family as we would in better times, I am especially grateful for you and your support. We are truly lucky to have built an organization with supporters like you, helping spread a message of hope and truth. Like I wrote in my Newsweek column last week, we really are the "little engine that could." This past year has been a banner year for us, thanks to your support. You help us save lives. It’s as simple as that. Please consider supporting us again this year. Click here to donate! The SAFE Banking Act rejection was by far our biggest win on the federal level, but it wasn’t our only victory. Working with a bipartisan group of elected officials, we supported the inclusion of a provision in the bipartisan infrastructure law that allows for the research of state-sanctioned marijuana products, so their effects can be better understood. The Biden-Harris Administration has also implemented some of our research recommendations. Every victory, every mind we change, every legislative victory is thanks to you. In 2021, marijuana legalization stalled in 18 states. In Colorado, we worked with a large bipartisan coalition to pass the country's first regulatory legislation to restrict the state’s marijuana industry. In South Dakota, we witnessed the unconstitutional legalization ballot initiative be overturned after a year-long campaign against it. Several pro-marijuana incumbent candidates in Virginia and New Jersey lost their seats, demonstrating once again that marijuana is not a driver of votes at the polls. We also helped numerous localities stop pot shops. Our legislative triumphs have been matched by progress in changing hearts and minds. Marking our 50th educational session of the year, last week we featured Tom Coderre, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Substance Use and Mental Health, and Dr. Leslie Walker-Harding, Chief Academic Officer and Senior Vice President for Seattle Children’s Hospital, in what was our most successful webinar ever, entitled Youth and Cannabis Use Disorder. But our work is far from over. Big Pot continues to promote harmful policies across the nation. In several states, regulators are now allowing high levels of mold and other additives to be sold in legal weed. In some cities, marijuana taxes are being eliminated. This year, the marijuana lobby has spent millions of dollars in its attempt to commercialize marijuana and create the next Big Tobacco. Thanks to support from friends like you, we stopped them. Your donations to SAM allow us to counter these efforts head on… to push local, state and national legislative action, to work with grassroots organizations to educate people in their communities, to advocate for standards and evidence-based practices. You help us reach communities, consumers and legislators with your message: do not allow the expansion of the addiction-for-profit marijuana industry in our neighborhoods. If you said in 2020, “I’ll make a gift next year”… time is running out. I humbly ask for you to consider an end of year tax deductible contribution to SAM so we can continue this success. Donate to SAM Today We want to share a few quick tips for ways that you can make a year-end gift with impact, which offers tax advantages for you and your family. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Passed in late March 2020, the CARES Act provided over $2 trillion in economic relief to taxpayers, businesses, and nonprofits. The Act contained a number of changes to tax policy related to charitable gifts of cash to non-profit organizations like Smart Approaches to Marijuana: Non-Itemizers Are Eligible for a New $300 Charitable Deduction Taxpayers who are non-itemizers and take the standard deduction do not typically qualify for itemized charitable deductions. For these non-itemizing individuals in 2020, a $300 above-the-line adjustment will be made to reduce the donor’s adjusted gross income and thereby reduce taxable income. Increase in Adjusted Gross Income Limit from 60% to 100% The usual deduction limit for cash gifts by individuals to public charities is 60% of adjusted gross income. In 2020, gifts of cash are deductible up to 100% of your adjusted gross income. Increase in Corporate Charitable Deduction from 10% to 25% The taxable income limit that applies to cash contributions by corporations has been increased from 10% to 25% for 2020 making this a great year to give through your business. December 31st – A Key Deadline Gifts of stocks, other securities, and IRA Charitable Rollovers can take time to process. Stock transfers, for example, take three business days. Initiate your transactions no later than December 26th to assure that gifts are completed by midnight on December 31st, and be sure to keep your receipt stating the date of the contribution and the amount. If you are 70½ years old or older, you can give up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to qualified charities such as SAM. Having the funds transferred directly from your IRA to a charity as a Qualified Charitable Distribution prevents the money from becoming taxable income and could help reduce the amount of Social Security retirement benefits that are deemed taxable. If you have large capital gains in your investment accounts, you can double your tax break when you consider donating those stocks. You’ll get a full charitable donation credit for the fair market value of the gift and SAM—as a qualifying tax-exempt organization—can sell the stocks without paying capital gains tax, regardless of how much your stock has appreciated. If you prefer to make a cash donation using a credit or debit card or by sending a check, you can always donate through our secure PayPal link, or by mailing your check to our office at: 107 S. West Street, Ste 757 Alexandria, VA 22314 Donate to SAM Today We always recommend you consult with your tax, legal and financial professionals to consider which charitable gift options are best for you. And please keep in mind, gifts must be completed or post-marked by midnight on December 31st to receive a charitable deduction for the 2020 tax year. If you would like to speak with someone or have questions about the best way to make your gift, please call or email Brendan Fairfield at 609-994-7184 or [email protected]. Every dollar you donate to SAM makes a difference. As a member of the SAM family, let’s keep expanding the critical work we do together this year. We wish you a joy-filled holiday season and new year, and thank you sincerely for all you do. All my best, Dr. Kevin Sabet, President & Co-Founder Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) 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!