Preventing the next Big Tobacco

Holding Big Marijuana Accountable,
Protecting the Public from Marijuana Commercialization

SAM’s primary focus is educating the public about the harms of marijuana legalization—a policy which has consistently placed corporate profits and addiction ahead of public health. We provide information on the harms of such policies to interested parties for use in messaging, and educate federal and state legislators on the benefits of a science-based marijuana policy.

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Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is

We envision a society where marijuana policies are aligned with the scientific understanding of marijuana’s harms, and the commercialization and normalization of marijuana are no more. Our mission is to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.

Educating the public and policy makers on the harms of marijuana commercialization and legalization

We invest heavily in the longer-term goals of educating the public and policy-makers alike on the harms of marijuana use and marijuana commercialization, the importance of science-based drug policy, and research into the potential medical use of compounds derived from marijuana. Working with our state affiliates, we hold federal, state, and local-level briefings across the country on these issues, and produce and distribute a wide range of related educational materials at no charge.

 

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The Four Pillars of
Smart Approaches to Marijuana

Awareness

To inform public policy with the science of today’s marijuana.

Reform

To have honest conversation about legal reforms that include reducing the unintended consequences of current marijuana policies, such as lifelong stigma due to arrest.

Prevention

To prevent the establishment of Big Marijuana that would market marijuana to children — and to prevent Big Tobacco from taking over Big Marijuana. Those are the very likely results of legalization.

Research

To promote research on marijuana in order to obtain FDA-approved, pharmacy-dispensed, cannabis-based medications.

Stay Up to Date on Recent News

Friday Fact: Weed wrecks your memory

Sorry . . . what were you saying? Oh, yes: A massive neuroimaging study led by researchers at the University of Colorado found that huge majorities of young adult marijuana users suffer significant cognitive impairment in everyday life. Specifically, 63% of heavy lifetime users and 68% of recent users experienced reduced brain activity, which is associated with performance issues, […]
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SAM Applauds Key Appropriations Wins on Marijuana Banking, Prevention, and Extreme Harm Reduction 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) applauds the House Appropriations Committee for continuing to show incredible leadership in the fight for evidence-based public health policy.   The Committee voted to advance a key SAM priority in its markup Wednesday. Language blocking the sale of recreational marijuana in our nation’s capital—the so-called Harris Rider—was included in […]
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Places that ban marijuana storefronts have 67% less psychotic disorders among teens

Turns out when you keep weed away from kids, you protect their mental health. A team of researchers from USC, Kaiser Permanente, and elsewhere did a massive survey of California youth—almost 100,000—and found that in places where both marijuana storefronts and delivery were prohibited, there was a 67% lower prevalence of psychotic disorders in adolescents while prohibitions on delivery […]
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Be a part of ourgrowing coalition

Our partners consist of both individuals and organizations who promote big ideas and help us in this ongoing work championing smart policies that decrease marijuana use.

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We should meet people where they are at, but never leave them where they are at.

Congressman Patrick J. KennedyCo-Founder, Smart Approaches to Marijuana

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