SAM Inc
Preventing Another Big Tobacco
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy. We are professionals working in mental health and public health. We are bipartisan. We are medical doctors, lawmakers, treatment providers, preventionists, teachers, law enforcement officers and others who seek a middle road between incarceration and legalization. Our commonsense, third-way approach to marijuana policy is based on reputable science and sound principles of public health and safety.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
NJ-RAMP (New Jersey Responsible Approaches to Marijuana Policy)
NJ RAMP is a coalition of individuals and associations who believe that the health, safety and economic harms or recreational marijuana legalization far outweighs the perceived social benefits. We are medical doctors, employers, treatment providers, drug prevention professionals, business owners, employees, law enforcement officers, and parents. NJ RAMP believes that NJ communities should not be victims of the commercialization and normalization of marijuana.
SAM Illinois (Healthy & Productive Illinois)
SAM Illinois is a coalition of individuals and associations who believe that the health, safety and economic harms of recreational marijuana legalization far outweigh the perceived social benefits. We are medical doctors, employers, treatment providers, drug prevention professionals, business owners, employees, law enforcement officers, and parents. SAM Illinois believes that our communities should not be victims of the commercialization and normalization of marijuana.
SAM New Hampshire
SAM New Hampshire is a coalition of individuals and associations who believe that the health, safety and economic harms of recreational marijuana legalization far outweigh the perceived social benefits.
SAM New York
SAM New York is an affiliate of SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana), a nonpartisan alliance of lawmakers, scientists and other concerned citizens, co-founded by former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. SAM New York is comprised of medical doctors, health professionals, teachers, drug treatment workers, prevention advocates, parents, and other concerned citizens. We want to move beyond simplistic discussions of “incarceration versus legalization” when discussing marijuana use and instead focus on practical changes in marijuana policy that neither demonize users nor legalizes the drug. SAM has affiliates in more than half the country.
SAM Vermont
SAM-VT is a statewide coalition of Vermonters – parents, grandparents, young people, senior citizens and other concerned adults. We represent diverse backgrounds including drug & alcohol prevention, youth services, education, health care, law enforcement, mental health and business leaders. We agree that marijuana legalization poses a threat to Vermont’s health, economy, youth, education, highway safety and work force.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
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.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Working with lawmakers and decision makers
Educating the public
Conducting research
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Our organization spans offices across New York, NY, Washington, DC, and several satellite offices on the West Coast. We are a "lean, mean" team, highly capable of performing well under pressure.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Starting from almost nothing in 2013, SAM incorporated in 2015 and has become the go-to organization for marijuana policy in the US. Since then, we have garnered hundreds of thousands of press mentions in every major media outlet. In addition, we have:
• Presented data about marijuana use and policy at thousands of town hall forums, policy hearings, conferences, and other meetings
• Founded dozens of state affiliates nationwide that have educated tens of thousands of people, including state and federal decision-makers, on the dangers of marijuana
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
SAM Inc
Board of directorsas of 02/06/2023
JONATHAN TALCOTT
JONATHAN TALCOTT
DAVID GEORGE
BEN CORT
STEVE MILLETTE
IAN DEERE-COLHOUN
MIKE BLOOM