Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM, Inc.) is a political organization opposed to

marijuana Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various tra ...

legalization and commercialization. SAM describes itself as a bi-partisan partnership that works with local, state, and federal legislators to create policies that decrease marijuana use. SAM advocates for civil penalties for marijuana use (what some call decriminalization), along with mandated treatment, prevention, education, and awareness.

History and background

SAM was founded in 2013, by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island), former White House drug policy adviser Kevin Sabet, senior editor of ''

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'',

David Frum David Jeffrey Frum (; born June 30, 1960) is a Canadian-American political commentator and a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, who is currently a senior editor at ''The Atlantic'' as well as an MSNBC contributor. In 2003, Frum au ...

and a group of health professionals in response to the successful 2012 marijuana legalization initiatives in Colorado and Washington. The group states they have four priorities: * Prevent Big Marijuana. SAM endeavors to prevent the formation of 'Big Marijuana', a potential commercial marijuana industry. SAM also seeks to prevent

Big Tobacco Big Tobacco is a name used to refer to the largest companies in the tobacco industry. According to the World Medical Journal, the five largest tobacco companies are: Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco, Imperial Brands, Japan To ...

from expanding its influence into Big Marijuana. * Educate. SAM works to inform the public and policymakers about what the group considers to be "the science of today's marijuana." * Reduce consequences. SAM aspires to open a dialogue about reducing civil and criminal penalties for marijuana offenders. * Medical research. SAM aims to encourage medical marijuana research and promote the development of FDA-approved marijuana medications. In 2013, the organization was endorsed by former president

Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he previously served as th ...

, who stated "I'm very proud of Patrick Kennedy and his Project SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana". "I wish him and Kevin Sabet every success in your independent project to make sure marijuana is handled responsibly." Despite this, Carter has expressed support for marijuana legalization. Prior to 2020, SAM led several successful efforts to defeat marijuana legalization measures in Ohio (2015), Arizona (2016) and North Dakota (2018). SAM's opposition to marijuana legalization has been less successful since the 2020 elections, which resulted in four marijuana legalization measures being approved in

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New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

, and

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; SAM opposed all four and failed to prevent commercial marijuana sales from being legalized in Vermont shortly before the election. The following year, legislatures in

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New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

and

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

moved forward with cannabis legalization despite the vocal opposition of both Kevin Sabet and his organization. Commenting on the diminishing support for his cause, Kevin Sabet stated that marijuana's opponents were still extant but that many had "gone underground" in response to bipartisan support for legalization.

Issues

Criminal penalties for use

SAM supports removing criminal penalties for use, advocating instead for mandatory treatment. The group however do advocate for civil fines or penalties.

Medicinal marijuana products

Project SAM supports the study of the components of marijuana. The organization promotes research on marijuana in order to obtain FDA-approved, pharmacy-dispensed, cannabis-based medications.

Funding

SAM says it is mostly funded by small donors, and by grants. Sabet has stated none of the organization's funding comes from corporations or opiate manufacturers. At least one donor, a private art collector dedicated to assisting substance abuse non-profits, gave $1,364,000 to SAM Action in 2016.

Media and activism

SAM Action, Inc. is the

501(c)(4) A 501(c) organization is a nonprofit organization in the Law of the United States#Federal law, federal law of the United States according to Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. § 501(c)) and is one of over 29 types of nonprofit organizations exe ...

sister organization of SAM.

State and local chapters

SAM has affiliated organizations in 50 states that work to support its mission at the state level. In addition to its network of state affiliates, SAM has partnered with Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, the California Coalition for Responsible Drug Policies, Mainers for Healthy Youth, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, and Nevadans for Responsible Drug Policy. * Alabama * Alaska * Arizona * California * Colorado * Connecticut * Georgia * Hawaii * Iowa * Kansas * Maine * Maryland * Massachusetts * Minnesota * Mississippi * Nevada * New Hampshire * New Jersey * New York * North Carolina * Oregon * Rhode Island * Utah * Vermont * Virginia * Washington

International branches

*Smart Approaches to Marijuana Canada (SAMC) *Smart Approaches to Marijuana New Zealand (Say Nope to Dope)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart Approaches To Marijuana Organizations established in 2013 2013 in cannabis Cannabis organizations Cannabis law reform organizations based in the United States Cannabis law reform in the United States Cannabis prohibition Drug policy organizations based in the United States Drug policy of the United States Civic and political organizations of the United States Political advocacy groups in the United States Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C. Opposition to cannabis legalization