Not Everyone Celebrates 4/20: Anti-Marijuana Group Calls For 'Balanced Discussion'

A group of anti-marijuana advocates convened in Washington, D.C. on 4/20 — a day typically reserved for cannabis-oriented celebrations — calling for "a balanced discussion" on cannabis legalization.

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), which describes itself as a bipartisan group and an alliance focused on advancing a "health-first approach" to marijuana policy, unveiled its 2023 Impact Report.

"Many people have bought the marijuana industry's line that their products weren't addictive or dangerous and could actually help communities of color. Now, the data is in to prove it was a lie," SAM president Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, said.

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The report, which is backed by media personality Dr. Drew Pinsky, claims to have analyzed "medical, scientific, and government data from every state that has legalized" cannabis. Some of the criticisms SAM makes, include:

• One in three annual users have a marijuana use disorder.
• Only 4 percent of THC product producers are people of color.
• THC use reduces IQ (although studies show marijuana use and IQ are uncorrelated)

SAM was co-founded by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, known for his hard stance against cannabis legalization despite polls illustrating public support.

More Opposition To Marijuana

The conference comes on the heels of last week's meeting at the U.S. Capitol during which the Anti-Narcotic & Anti-Addictive-Drug Coalition, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Minnesota, and members of law enforcement argued against cannabis legalization in Minnesota.

Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson raised some safety concerns.

“It’s really saddening to me that we’re willing to have as collateral damage the deaths on our highway just because people want to use marijuana recreationally,” he said.

Next: 10% Of U.S. Vets Consume Marijuana, Defense Dept Urged To Study Cannabis As Opioid Substitute

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