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Smart Approaches to Marijuana
| Smart Approaches to Marijuana | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(3) |
| Founder(s): | Patrick Kennedy |
| Year founded: | 2013 |
| Website: | Official website |
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization describes its mission as "promot[ing] health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences." The group opposes non-medical marijuana legalization efforts, including state-level ballot initiatives that would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana at the state level.[1]
Mission
According to the organization's website, Smart Approaches to Marijuana has the following mission statement:[1]
| “ | Smart Approaches to Marijuana envisions a society where marijuana policies are aligned with the scientific understanding of marijuana’s harms, and the commercialization and normalization of marijuana are no more. Our mission is to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.[2] | ” |
Background
History
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) was established in January 2013 by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), David Frum, Kevin Sabet, and a group of Colorado-based health professionals in response to the successful 2012 marijuana legalization initiatives in Colorado and Washington. Kennedy, a former oxycodone addict, established SAM to counter the growth in support for marijuana legalization within the Democratic Party.[3][4][5][6]
While SAM opposes the legalization of marijuana, the group aims to garner public support by advocating for changes in drug policy that focus on rehabilitation rather than criminalization. “Yes, the drug war has been a failure, but let’s look at the science, and let’s look at what works," said Kennedy. "And let’s not just throw out the baby with the bathwater.”[4]
Work
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) aims to reduce marijuana use, stop marijuana legalization, and educate policymakers and the public about what the group believes to be "the scientific understanding of marijuana’s harms." The group seeks to support the following four priorities:[1][7]
- Prevent "Big Marijuana"
SAM endeavors to prevent the formation of "Big Marijuana," the group's vision of a potential commercial marijuana industry that could advertise marijuana to children. SAM also seeks to prevent "Big Tobacco" 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.
SAM has affiliated organizations in 26 states that work to support the SAM mission at the state level. In addition to its network of state affiliates, SAM partnered with the California Coalition for Responsible Drug Policies, Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, the Campaign for a Safe and Healthy Massachusetts, Mainers for Healthy Youth, and Nevadans for Responsible Drug Policy to oppose marijuana legalization ballot initiatives during the 2016 election cycle.[8]
Political activity
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SAM can engage in limited political activity in an educational or nonpartisan manner. These activities may include the production of voter education guides and participation in public forums, voter registration drives, and get-out-the-vote campaigns.[9]
SAM's 501(c)(4) affiliate, SAM Action, may engage in political lobbying and political campaign activities. SAM Action participates in advertising and lobbying to oppose marijuana legalization. The group also coordinates education outreach, public opinion polling, and fundraising activities.[10]
Ballot measure activity
SAM opposes state-level ballot initiatives that would legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana at the state level.
Overview of ballot measure support and opposition
The following table details SAM’s ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:
Maryland Question 4, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2022)
SAM opposed Maryland Question 4 in 2022. Question 4 was designed to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years of age or older, and directing the Maryland State Legislature to pass laws for the use, distribution, regulation, and taxation of marijuana. Question 4 was approved in 2022.[13]
Arizona Proposition 207, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2020)
SAM opposed Arizona Proposition 207. Proposition 207 was designed to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for persons who are at least 21 years old, enact a tax on marijuana sales, and require the state Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules to regulate marijuana businesses. Proposition 207 was approved.[14]
New Jersey Public Question 1, Marijuana Legalization Amendment (2020)
SAM opposed New Jersey Public Question 1. Question 1 was designed to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for persons age 21 and older and legalize the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail marijuana. Kevin Sabet, Ph.D, the president of SAM, said "To protect the health, safety, and productivity of New Jersey, we must take the same approach to marijuana legalization as we are to vaping, Mr. Governor. We cannot tackle one addiction epidemic while rolling out the welcome mat for another. The time has come to halt the push to legalize marijuana in the Garden State." Question 1 was approved in 2020.[15]
Michigan Proposal 1, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2018)
SAM was the top donor to the opposition campaign, Healthy and Productive Michigan, donating over $1.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions. Proposal 1 made Michigan the first state in the Midwest to legalize the possession and use of recreational marijuana for adults (age 21 years or older). Individuals were permitted to grow up to 12 marijuana plants in their residences. The measure created an excise sales tax of 10 percent, which was to be levied on marijuana sales at retailers and microbusinesses. Kevin Sabet, president and founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, argued, "Michiganders would do well to slow down and learn from other states: The marijuana experiment has led to increased substance abuse, more impaired drivers on our roads, thriving black markets and continued racial disparities."[16]
Missouri Proposition C, Medical Marijuana and Veterans Healthcare Services, Education, Drug Treatment, and Public Safety Initiative (2018)
SAM contributed $3,000 to the opposition committee, Citizens For SAFE Medicine. Proposition C would have legalized marijuana for medical purposes; taxed marijuana sales at 2 percent; and spent tax revenue on veterans' services, drug treatment, education, and law enforcement.
North Dakota Measure 3, Marijuana Legalization and Automatic Expungement Initiative (2018)
SAM Action, the political action committee arm of SAM, donated over $136,000 to the opposition committee, Healthy and Productive North Dakota. The measure would have legalized the recreational use of marijuana in the state of North Dakota for people 21 years of age or older and created an automatic expungement process for individuals with convictions regarding marijuana.
Missouri Amendment 2, Medical Marijuana and Veteran Healthcare Services Initiative (2018)
SAM contributed $3,000 to the opposition campaign, Citizens For SAFE Medicine. The amendment legalized marijuana for medical purposes; enacted a marijuana sales tax at 4 percent; and allocated tax revenue to healthcare services for veterans.
Missouri Amendment 3, Medical Marijuana and Biomedical Research and Drug Development Institute Initiative (2018)
SAM contributed $3,000 to the opposition campaign, Citizens For SAFE Medicine. The measure would have legalized marijuana for medical purposes; taxed marijuana sales at 15 percent; and allocated tax revenue to a Biomedical Research and Drug Development Institute.
Arizona Marijuana Legalization, Proposition 205 (2016)
Proposition 205 would have legalized the possession and consumption of marijuana by people 21 years old or older. Kevin Sabet of SAM Action said the measure's defeat provided opponents of marijuana legalization with a model. He stated, "The overarching lesson was that if we could raise enough money early, we can win. Arizona was the only state where we were toe to toe with the 'yes' side, and it's the only state we started early in." Arizona Proposition 205 was the only marijuana legalization initiative in 2016 where opponents raised a similar amount of funds as supporters.[17]
California Proposition 64, Marijuana Legalization (2016)
SAM Action, the PAC arm of SAM, donated over $489,000 to the opposition committee. Proposition 64 legalized recreational marijuana for persons aged 21 years or older under state law and established certain sales and cultivation taxes.
Maine Marijuana Legalization, Question 1 (2016)
SAM opposed Question 1. Question 1 legalized recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21.[18]
Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization, Question 4 (2016)
Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) was the second largest opposition registered opposition campaign with contributions of $25,000. Question 4 legalized marijuana and established regulations similar to alcoholic beverages.
Nevada Marijuana Legalization, Question 2 (2016)
Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) was the second largest opposition registered opposition campaign with contributions of $30,000. Question 2 legalized the recreational use of one ounce or less of marijuana by individuals 21 and older.
Leadership
The following individuals hold leadership positions with Smart Approaches to Marijuana:[19]
- Kevin A. Sabet, President and CEO
- Luke Niforatos, Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor
- Abu Edwards, Director of State Affairs
- Dana Stevens, Director of Local Affairs
- Garth Van Meter, "Vice President of Government Affairs
- Brendan Fairfield, "Director of Business Development
Finances
The following is a breakdown of Smart Approaches to Marijuana's revenues and expenses as submitted to the IRS for the 2015 to 2019 fiscal years:
| Annual revenue and expenses for Smart Approaches to Marijuana, 2015–2019 | ||
| Tax Year | Total Revenue | Total Expenses |
| 2019[20] | $5,487,559 | $1,802,190 |
| 2018[21] | $3,858,558 | $912,959 |
| 2017[22] | $504,133 | $596,150 |
| 2016[23] | $4,587,940 | $1,404,571 |
| 2015[24] | $359,314 | $3,845 |
Tax status
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Its 501(c) designation refers to a section of the U.S. federal income tax code concerning charitable, religious, and educational organizations.[25] Section 501(c) of the U.S. tax code has 29 sections that list specific conditions particular organizations must meet in order to be considered tax-exempt under the section. Organizations that have been granted 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service are exempt from federal income tax.[26] This exemption requires that any political activity by the charitable organization be nonpartisan in nature.[27]
See also
- Smart Approaches to Marijuana Maine
- 501(c)(3)
- Nonprofit organization
- Marijuana on the ballot
External links
- SAM Action homepage
- Smart Approaches to Marijuana homepage
- Smart Approaches to Marijuana on Facebook
- Smart Approaches to Marijuana on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "Mission and vision," accessed August 11, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Libertarian Republic, "LAST STAND: Anti-Marijuana Legalization Forces Raise $300K and Are Looking for More," June 7, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Denver Post, "Former R.I. Rep. Patrick Kennedy leads campaign against legal pot," January 5, 2013
- ↑ Reuters, "Former Rep. Patrick Kennedy leads campaign against legal pot," January 5, 2013
- ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "Our wins," accessed August 20, 2016
- ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "Our wish list," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "State affiliates," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "The Restriction of Political Campaign Intervention by Section 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations," accessed August 11, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "2016-2017 plan," accessed August 16, 2016
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "2018 Annual Report," accessed November 13, 2019
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedMarijuana - ↑ Maryland Matters, "Online, word of mouth grass-roots effort emerges to oppose legalizing cannabis," October 18, 2022
- ↑ Arizona Secretary of State, "Election Funds Portal," accessed January 23, 2023
- ↑ NJ.com, "Given the vaping crisis, N.J. should not legalize marijuana, an ex-presidential adviser says," September 22, 2019
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Legal pot brings more substance abuse, impaired drivers, racial disparity | Opinion," September 14, 2018
- ↑ Washington Post, "What the future of marijuana legalization could look like under President Trump," November 9, 2016
- ↑ Facebook, "SAM Maine Facebook page", accessed November 13, 2019
- ↑ Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "Staff and science advisory board," accessed November 13, 2019
- ↑ Guidestar, "Financial data," accessed January 23, 2023
- ↑ Guidestar, "SAM IRS Form 990 (2018)," accessed May 6, 2021
- ↑ Guidestar, "SAM IRS Form 990 (2017)," accessed April 21, 2020
- ↑ Guidestar, "SAM IRS Form 990 (2016)," accessed November 13, 2019
- ↑ Guidestar, "SAM IRS Form 990 (2015)," accessed November 13, 2019
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exempt Purposes - Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)," accessed January 13, 2014
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Life Cycle of a Public Charity/Private Foundation," accessed July 10, 2015
- ↑ Internal Revenue Service, "Exemption Requirements - 501(c)(3) Organizations," accessed January 13, 2014
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