Marijuana: Project SAM touts public-health approach to pot in fighting legalization

By Michael Roberts Wed., Jan. 9 2013 at 9:55 AM

Here's the aforementioned Marijuana Policy Project release:

Nation's Largest Marijuana Policy Organization Slams Former Congressman's Plan to Force Marijuana Consumers Into Treatment and Marijuana 'Education' Classes

Group calls on Patrick Kennedy -- whose family made a fortune selling alcohol -- to explain why he wants to keep an objectively less harmful alternative to alcohol illegal

DENVER -- The nation's largest marijuana policy organization, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), slammed former Congressman Patrick Kennedy's plan to force marijuana consumers into treatment and marijuana "education" classes, which his new national organization, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), is scheduled to unveil in Denver on Thursday. A state-based group will also be announced.

"The proposal is on par with forcing every alcohol user into treatment at their own cost or at a cost to the state," said MPP communications director Mason Tvert. "In fact, it would be less logical because the science is clear that marijuana is far less toxic, less addictive, and less likely to be associated with acts of violence."

MPP is calling on Kennedy, whose family made a fortune selling alcohol, to explain why he wants to keep an objectively less harmful alternative to alcohol illegal. Specifically, MPP is asking Kennedy to address the question on SAM's website and provide facts regarding the relative harms of marijuana and alcohol. MPP also launched an online petition this morning asking Kennedy to provide an explanation or resign as chairman of SAM, which received more than 1,500 signatures within the first hour of being posted -- http://chn.ge/13e9Qjl

"Former Congressman Kennedy's proposal is the definition of hypocrisy," Tvert said. "He is living in part off of the fortune his family made by selling alcohol while leading a campaign that makes it seem like marijuana -- an objectively less harmful product -- is the greatest threat to public health.

"If this group truly cares about public health, it should be providing the public with facts regarding the relative harms of marijuana and discouraging the use of the more harmful product," Tvert said. "Why on earth would they want keep a less harmful alternative to alcohol illegal? Former Congressman Kennedy and his organization should answer this question before calling on our government to start forcing people into treatment programs and throwing them into marijuana 'education' camps."

And here's the MPP petition, which has already exceeded 5,000 signatures.

Patrick Kennedy: Marijuana consumers should not be forced into treatment -- Drop out of SAM!

Former Congressman Patrick Kennedy is the chairman of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a new national organization that wants to force marijuana consumers into treatment and subject them to mandatory health screenings and "marijuana education" camps.

Yet he comes from a family that made a fortune selling alcohol -- a product that is objectively far more harmful than marijuana!

Sign our petition today calling on Patrick Kennedy to drop out of SAM or explain why he is working to keep a less harmful alternative to alcohol illegal.

To: Patrick Kennedy

Marijuana consumers should not be forced into treatment or subjected to mandatory health screenings and "marijuana education" camps.

You come from a family that made a fortune selling alcohol -- a product that is objectively far more harmful than marijuana.

Please drop out of Smart Approaches to Marijuana or explain why you are working to keep a less harmful alternative to alcohol illegal.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Tags:

Christian Thurstone, David Frum, Kevin Sabet, legalization, Marijuana Policy Project, Mason Tvert, Patrick Kennedy, Project SAM, Smart Colorado

We Recommend

shafferkj

Just so I'm clear, some guy from Florida, which ranks 40th in that nation for pubic health, is in OUR state to discuss public health. Ok, just wanted to make sure.

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

@shafferkj There must be no alcohol-related troubles in Florida.

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

A64, its authors, its proponents and the voters who approved it, clearly state that Marijuana use IS a Public Health and Safety problem ... so much so that NO ONE under 21 years old should be allowed ANY LAWFUL ACCESS to it -- not a single gram, not a single plant -- maintaining ALL CRIMINAL PENALTIES against such marijuana use.

A64 = Marijuana IS Harmful and Dangerous!

shafferkj

@DonkeyHotay Are you a third grader paid to write uninsightful, incorrect, and poorly written comments on A64 posts?

timothy_carrier

Nothing like a pill head saying Cannabis is bad.

jondoenumber22000

enter the statist authoritarian prohibitionist hypocrites and treatment
profiteer leeches. these scumbags lust for power and to control others
lives. the forced treatment scam is designed to keep people in the
system for life and to be constantly monitored by government lackeys
(tsa goons). it's similar to the revolving door probation scam the NWO
currently runs but desperately wants to expand. legal prescription pill
users are the next victims they will target. make no mistake, these
elitist totalitarian thugs won't sleep until they get their police
state control grid operational. the 2nd amendment was put in place by
our hemp/marijuana growing founders to protect us from jack booted
tyrants like these SAM members.

mmjclones

Patrick, fulfill your destiny! Die young, horrifically and publicly. Just hurry up already!

Juan_Leg topcommenter

Tell everyone it makes your dick bigger & increases longevity .

ADVERTISE & COMMERCIALIZE the hell out of it during 9News broadcasts and in the Post .

They'll quit fucking around and the 'new' customers will keep more of the product in state .

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

2 Like

Was there ever a Kennedy who wasn't a lush?

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@Cognitive_Dissident ... and even as alcoholics, they accomplished more in their truncated lives than you ever will.

Go figure.

ccapra

4 Like

@DonkeyHotay @Cognitive_Dissident Yes, they've killed themselves, others, sexually assulted countless individuals and made general assess out of themselves at every turn. They've accomplished much.

Go Figure.

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

@ccapra @DonkeyHotay @Cognitive_Dissident

John and Bobby Kennedy killed themselves ??

LOL!

Have another bong hit, stoner.

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

1 Like

Project stick-head-in-the-sand is apparently really about reversing past due progress in drug policy.

Coloradans should be as unfriendly as possible toward Reefer Madness doctors.

Cannabis_College

these people have managed to make everyone think that a plant is a dangerous drug...what's next, they're gonna start outlawing animals because they might kill you??? http://420college.org

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

3 Like

@Cannabis_College ... more spam from the spammer.

jondoenumber22000

3 Like

@DonkeyHotay @Cannabis_College if you live in a glass house....

Cannabis_College

@DonkeyHotay @Cannabis_College oh shit there goes the ass who only knows one word here to troll the forum again.....

Cognitive_Dissident topcommenter

@bongsucker ...and the troll's sock puppet account.

bongsucker

1 Like

@Cannabis_College

Spammer.

michael.roberts moderator editortopcommenter

1 Like

@Cannabis_College It's already happened with pit bulls. Thanks for the post, CC.

mike1963

OK, so if you're an Alcoholic, or hooked on Tobacco, go find a little weed, and every time you think you need a drink, or whatever, smoke a bowl. You will be so glad you did, as will everyone who has to deal with you.

Juan_Leg topcommenter

@mike1963 What about the smell ?

michael.roberts moderator editortopcommenter

@mike1963 Interesting prescription, Mike. Thanks for the post.

Joe Ponce de Carrano

He must have financial interests that will get hurt. Just like the ruling elite to tell you what's up.

Joe Ponce de Carrano

He must have financial interests that will get hurt. Just like the ruling elite to tell you what's up.

coloradommjpatient

1 Like

I wonder who is bankrolling this idiots? Big Pharma, Tobacco, Alcohol??? Probably all three and more!

kevin_hunt topcommenter

@coloradommjpatient Mel Sembler?

DonkeyHotay topcommenter

1 Like

@coloradommjpatient ... MMIG and MMED

Monkey

6 Like

@coloradommjpatient Sounds like it's the drug addiction counselors who will most benefit. Don't send them to jail, send them to us, and we'll take the money, is what it sounds like to me. Everyone wants a slice of weed pie, I guess we'll see who grabs the biggest slice soon.