Reviewed by researchers from: University of Colorado at Denver Johns Hopkins University Harvard Medical School Children’s Hospital Boston University of Kansas and more.
Remember Big Tobacco? They're back. It's Time to Put People Before Profit.
Who is SAM?
WHO WE ARE
We are the leading national, non-partisan, non-profit alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. We were founded in 2013 by former Democratic U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, former George W. Bush administration official and Republican pundit David Frum, and Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, drug policy advisor to three U.S. administrations.
We are professionals working in mental health and public health, medical doctors, lawmakers, treatment providers, prevention professionals, teachers, law enforcement officers, and others who want to let science set marijuana policy and find sensible solutions.
History and science show us that neither mass incarceration of users nor legalization are solutions. What does work are public health and justice systems that do not demonize marijuana use or use incarceration as a solution for drug abuse, but also steer problem users towards treatment and recovery options, with the objective of minimizing drug use.
THE NEXT BIG TOBACCO
We are also at the front lines of fighting the next Big Tobacco—the marijuana industry. As we speak, the marijuana industry is busy buying lawyers, lobbyists, and marketers to push kid-friendly pot products, advertise pot on TV and radio, and overturn secondhand smoking laws to let people smoke pot in restaurants and other public places.
In fact, the marijuana lobby has started taking money directly from the tobacco industry, including the parent company that owned the famous Joe Camel cigarette mascot.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY
Act now!
You can also get involved directly by downloading the iPhone or Android advocacy app from our sister organization, SAM Action. The application allows you to share ideas with other like-minded individuals, and participates in calls to action. Just text “SAM” to 797-979.
Get educated!
SAM has host of resources to educate you on the public health and safety dangers of legalized pot:
- Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SAM's science-based approach to marijuana policy
- SAM's report on the impacts of pot legalization in 4 U.S. states and D.C.
- The new SAM working paper calculating a select few costs of legalization in Connecticut