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** Save the Date: SAM & FDPS President Kevin Sabet’s One Nation Under the Influence Hits U.S. Shelves in September ([link removed])
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We are in the midst of the worst drug crisis in American history. Around 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose last year and more than 1,000,000 have lost their lives since 2000. What are we going to do about it?


Dr. Sabet explores this crucial issue in his new book, taking readers from the streets of San Francisco and New York to the southern border, up to Canada, and across to Europe to show how we can chart a necessary way forward. The solutions are out there, if only we have the will to apply them.

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Click here to learn more about One Nation Under the Influence ([link removed])

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** Daily Caller: SAM win in Delta-8 battle hits press ([link removed])
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After a ban on Delta-8 THC made into the base text of a must-pass bill, SAM Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos appeared in the Daily Caller ([link removed]) outlining why this is a crucial step forward to protecting public health and safety.

“It’s the ‘Joe Camel’ playbook; Big Tobacco ran it and Big Marijuana is trying to run it again. Congress must make the ban law.” As for the argument that a ban will somehow harm industrial hemp? “Ludicrous.” Read more here ([link removed]) .

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** John Phillips Fixes California with FDPS’ Tom Wolf ([link removed])
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Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions’ (FDPS) Director of West Coast Initiatives, Tom Wolf, appeared on The John Phillips Show to discuss national drug policy and the need to shift the focus to recovery and prevention.

Click here ([link removed]) for the podcast.


** Meet Our Newest Team Members: Derrick Robinson, Sam Munson, and Iman Lohrasbi
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SAM has powered up its team by bringing on Derrick Robinson as Director of Communications, Sam Munson as Director of Content and Editorial Strategy, and Iman Lohrasbi as Federal and State Policy Associate.

Derrick is a communications veteran, with stints in the Obama White House and in Congress driving national media strategy across themes and issues.

Sam most recently served as executive opinion editor at The New York Post, his latest stop in a career across editorial spanning more than two decades.

Iman graduated from Rhodes College and has served as a Government Affairs Intern with SAM.


** SAVE THE DATE:
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** 2026 SAM Good Drug Policy Summit ([link removed])
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The 2026 SAM Good Drug Policy Summit ([link removed]) will be taking place in partnership with the CADCA National Leadership Forum on February 6th and 7th in National Harbor, MD.

Registration for the Summit is now open. This can’t-miss event will feature the best in evidence-based drug policy and will run from the afternoon of Thursday, February 5 through Friday, February 6.

Contact [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) to learn about how you can get involved as a sponsor or speaker.
Register for 2026 SAM Good Drug Policy Summit Here ([link removed])


** In the News
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Wall Street Journal: It’s High Times for State-Subsidized Pot Businesses ([link removed])
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Washington Times: Study links marijuana legalization to increased opioid abuse in VA patients ([link removed])

Colorado's psychedelic nightmare ([link removed]) (The Denver Gazette): SAM and FDPS Co-Founder and Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos took a tour through the brewing psilocybin nightmare in Colorado, where Gov. Jared Polis announced that the state’s psychedelics program was “fully launched” in late May.


Legalization was never about justice—and Illinois just proved it ([link removed]) (The AFRO): In his op-ed for The AFRO, Will Jones III exposes how the marijuana industry uses deceptive tactics to target Black and Brown communities, echoing the predatory strategies used by Big Tobacco. He argues that legalization has failed to deliver justice or equity—and instead deepens harm in the communities it claims to help.

Psilocybin for veterans? ([link removed]) (Denver 7): Luke also appeared on Denver 7 to discuss concerns about Colorado’s state-approved treatment centers and the lack of clear science from the FDA around psilocybin treatment itself.

More Seniors Are Using Drugs—Here's Why It Matters ([link removed]) (Newsweek): Dr. Kevin Sabet cites alarming new data in his monthly column showing that older people are using a lot more marijuana, despite the terrible risks it brings to cardiovascular and mental health. It’s time for prevention aimed at making sure seniors know the risks.


** Legislative Update
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Earlier this month, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture advanced legislation that closes the hemp loophole by banning dangerous hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8. The full Committee passed this bill, which included the “Miller Amendment,” Monday night. Next, it’s on to the full House of Representatives. Our SAM Government Affairs team is grateful for your help and advocacy in advancing this crucial piece of legislation!


** State Updates
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Texas: On June 22, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed SB 3. This bill would have banned Delta 8, Delta 9, and all other forms of intoxicating THC, including beverages. It also would have prohibited the retail sale of any cannabinoid in the state, with the exception of CBD and CBG. Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), released a statement quoted in part below:


“Texas had a chance to lead the country. Instead, this veto allows the marijuana industry to continue exploiting legal loopholes at the expense of public health. SAM remains committed to working with state leaders to close this loophole and ensure Texas families are protected from predatory drug marketing.”

Maine: An effort to legalize possession of psilocybin failed in the Maine legislature. LD 1034, which claimed to allow for the possession of therapeutic amounts of the psychedelic, was narrowly defeated by a 72-74 vote in the House on June 9th. The bill was officially declared dead the next day following a 16-16 Senate vote.

Alabama: HB 445 was signed into law by Governor Ivey. This bill will ban all smokable hemp products and those containing psychoactive cannabinoids produced through chemical synthesis, modification, or conversion. It will also prohibit online and drive-thru sales, regulate all consumable products, limit THC potency, restrict sales locations, and prohibit free samples.

Iowa: Governor Reynolds vetoed HF 383, which would have allowed doctors to prescribe psilocybin should it receive FDA approval.


** Grassroots
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Parent Action Network ([link removed]) continues to welcome new parents. We are incredibly proud of their efforts advocating and educating in their own communities and states, using the skills we helped them build. Like Christine S. from Texas: She took what she learned at PAN’s most recent training conference and Hill Day and made numerous trips to Capitol Hill in Austin

to testify in support of SB 3, the Texas bill that would have banned all intoxicating hemp products. SAM supported Christine and other Texas families by creating a letter encouraging Governor Abbot to sign this bill into law and better protect all Texans. If you are not already part of PAN and are interested in telling your story to raise awareness about the harms of today’s high-potency THC products, contact us at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

While we continue to fight against the proliferation of marijuana legalization, we are also keenly aware of other dangerous drugs such as psychedelics, kratom, and fentanyl. Many of these are normalized as safe and natural; they continue to flood the market. Because of this we have introduced a page on SAM’s sister organization’s website, the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS), where we hope to raise the voices of families negatively impacted by these emerging drugs. If you have been negatively impacted by one and would like to tell your story, please visit our page, click on “get involved” to receive our newsletters and alerts, and participate in our interest survey ([link removed]) so we can learn more about you.


** Stat of the Month
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** The Ugly Truth About Veteran Suicide and Marijuana ([link removed])
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Among all veterans who died by suicide in 2022, almost 9% were diagnosed with cannabis use disorder. Of veterans who died by suicide and had a diagnosed substance use disorder, 35% had CUD—and that figure has

increased by close to 20% since 2001. These statistics aren’t just numbers. They are lives lost, the lives of people who put their country before themselves. Despite this, the marijuana industry is brazenly promoting its products as effective treatments for veterans’ pain. Read more here ([link removed]) .


** Events & Training
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* SAM Government Affairs Director Jordan Davidson provided a presentation for the Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking.
* SAM Executive Vice President Luke Niforatos recently appeared on Dr. Roneet Lev’s podcast, High Truths, to discuss the launch of the Hyannis Consensus ([link removed]) [link removed] the emerging national backlash against marijuana legalization.



** SAM Trainings: Learn What to Say and How to Say it
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In-person and virtual trainings are now available for all age groups associated with non-profit organizations, corporations, healthcare, clinicians, social workers, counselors, schools, law enforcement, and local community groups around the country that want to educate their communities and employees on all issues surrounding marijuana.


To learn more about our speakers, please visit the training page on our website ([link removed]) .

To schedule a training, please contact us at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .


** Resource
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** FDPS Kratom One-Pager ([link removed])
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Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. In low doses, it produces stimulant effects; in high doses, it produces sedative effects. Kratom is typically ingested orally via capsules or extracts and can be brewed as a tea. Use can lead to psychotic symptoms or dependence.

Click here to download an FDPS one-pager ([link removed]) to learn the facts about this substance and its potential for abuse.

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** Donate ([link removed])
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SAM’s work has contributed to nationwide debate on the harms of hemp-derived and marijuana-derived products, like Delta-8 THC ([link removed]) and cannabis-infused foods and beverages. Now state governments are considering legislation against these products.

Please give today ([link removed]) so we can work across the nation to pass bans on these harmful, intoxicating substances and keep our kids safe.

Click here to donate ([link removed]) , or contact SAM’s Chief Development Officer, John Spurlock, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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Copyright 2024 Smart Approaches to Marijuana. All rights reserved.
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