Smart Approaches to Marijuana

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM, Inc.) is a political organization opposed to marijuana legalization and commercialization.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana
AbbreviationSAM
FormationJanuary 1, 2013; 11 years ago (2013-01-01)
FoundersPatrick Kennedy and Kevin Sabet[1]
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit[2]
HeadquartersAlexandria, Va.[2] New York, NY
Region served
US, International
President and CEO
Kevin Sabet, PhD [1]
Executive Vice President
Luke Niforatos
Vice President of Federal Affairs
Garth Van Meter
Key people
David Frum, Barry McCaffrey
AffiliationsSAM Action, a 501(c)(4)[2]
Budget$2M
Staff20+[2]
Volunteers100+
Websitelearnaboutsam.org

History and background

edit

SAM was founded in 2013, by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy.[3][4]

On April 10, 2017, the political arm of SAM agreed to be fined for committing campaign finance violations in its opposition to California's 2016's Adult Use of Marijuana Act.[5]

Funding

edit

SAM says it is mostly funded by small donors, and by grants.[1] Kevin Sabet said none of the organization's funding comes from corporations or opiate manufacturers.[6]

State and local chapters

edit

SAM has affiliated organizations in 50 states and has partnered with Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy,[7] the California Coalition for Responsible Drug Policies,[8] Mainers for Healthy Youth, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts,[9] and Nevadans for Responsible Drug Policy.

  • Alabama[10]
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California[11]
  • Colorado[12]
  • Connecticut
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii[13]
  • Iowa[14]
  • Kansas[15]
  • Maine[16]
  • Maryland[17]
  • Massachusetts[9]
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire[18]
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oregon[19]
  • Rhode Island[20]
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington[21]

International branches

edit
  • Smart Approaches to Marijuana Canada (SAMC)[22]
  • Smart Approaches to Marijuana New Zealand (Say Nope to Dope) [23]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Michael Roberts (14 August 2017). "Meet Kevin Sabet, USA's Most Influential Critic of Marijuana Legalization". Westword. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) Biography". ProCon.org. 10 July 2017. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Patrick Kennedy's SAM pot-health campaign lands in Denver". The Denver Post. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2020-06-22.
  4. ^ This Election, a Divided America Stands United on One Topic
  5. ^ "Anti-pot group faces campaign finance violations from its work opposing marijuana legalization in California". Los Angeles Times. 10 April 2017.
  6. ^ Keegan Hamilton (26 October 2016). "Here's who's bankrolling the fight against legal marijuana". Vice News. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  7. ^ "The Billboard Battle: Anti-Marijuana Group Wants Pro-Pot Signage Gone". Phoenix New Times. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Who Is With Us?". CALM USA. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  9. ^ a b C. Eugene Emery Jr. (30 March 2014). "Marijuana legalization opponent Heidi Heilman says today's marijuana is 300 percent to 800 percent stronger than in the past". PolitiFact. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  10. ^ "Is Big Pharma Out to Stop—Or Take Over—Marijuana Legalization?". Vice. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  11. ^ Paul Elias and David Crary (28 September 2016). "9 states to vote soon on expanding legal access to marijuana". Athens Banner Herald. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Hundreds Of Vets Receive Pot Free Of Charge At Special Event". CBS Denver. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) goes to Hawaii". The Garden Island. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2018.[permanent dead link]
  14. ^ Kristin Buehner (11 October 2013). "Speaker cites dangers of youth and marijuana use". Globe Gazette. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Marijuana Abuse Prevention". Kansas Prevention Collaborative. 4 January 2018. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  16. ^ Kevin Miller (2 March 2015). "Bill to ban local votes on legalizing marijuana draws fire at hearing". Press Herald. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  17. ^ Talbot Partnership (4 December 2013). "Marijuana Abuse Prevention". Talbot Spy. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  18. ^ Joe Gallagher (30 January 2013). "NH TO BECOME 20TH STATE AFFILIATED WITH SMART APPROACHES TO MARIJUANA (SAM)". New Futures. Archived from the original on 6 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  19. ^ Carl Wellstone (6 November 2015). "SAM Oregon Uses Ben Carson to Support Marijuana Prohibition". Marijuana Politics. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Nancy DeNuccio: Ocean State Prevention Alliance". Ocean State Prevention Alliance. 4 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Northwest Tribes Oppose Pot Legalization". KNKX. Associated Press. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  22. ^ Travis Lupick (17 June 2015). "Anti-pot group Smart Approaches to Marijuana Canada looks at legal challenges". Georgia Straight. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  23. ^ "SAM-NZ (Smart Approaches to Marijuana NZ) - Position Statement". 7 June 2020.