21 episodes

Expert drug policy news and analysis brought to you by the leading drug policy organizations, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS).

The Drug Report SAM & FDPS

    • News
    • 4.5 • 27 Ratings

Expert drug policy news and analysis brought to you by the leading drug policy organizations, Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) and The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS).

    Interview with Dr. Aaron Weiner on Addiction Industries and Prevention

    Interview with Dr. Aaron Weiner on Addiction Industries and Prevention

    Discover the unsettling truth behind vaping addiction and its intrusion into youth culture as addiction psychologist Dr. Aaron Weiner joins us to unravel the threads of behavioral health entwined with corporate profit.  Dr. Weiner's expertise shines a harsh but necessary light on the over two million kids now embroiled in nicotine use, and the shadowy influence of THC on young adults. This isn't just a health crisis; it's a maze where capitalism meets drug markets, and our exploration is set to offer both clarity and a call to action.
    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 16 min
    4/20 Fallout

    4/20 Fallout

    Luke & Kevin discuss enforcement actions across cities like Vancouver and Denver, where the day's significance is being reshaped by a growing commercial presence and evolving regulatory responses. As we peel back the layers of this phenomenon, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the industry's consolidation, with a focus on Canadian corporations' acquisitions of local dispensaries. We also navigate the changing media narratives that now scrutinize marijuana's health implications, offering a fresh perspective on the conversation surrounding cannabis and its impact on youth.

    Unravel with us the tangled web of marijuana legalization as we delve into the recent federal seizures in New Mexico, an issue that highlights the friction between state legislation and federal authority. 


    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 12 min
    Unmasking the U.S. Marijuana Market: Chinese Syndicates, the Safe Banking Act, and 420 Celebrations

    Unmasking the U.S. Marijuana Market: Chinese Syndicates, the Safe Banking Act, and 420 Celebrations

    Discover the dark underbelly of the U.S. marijuana market as expert Jordan Davidson joins us to expose the role of Chinese criminal syndicates in cannabis trade and the complex implications for U.S. drug policy. We also discuss the Safe Banking Act and its unintended consequences, offering a financial lifeline to those laundering profits from deadly substances like fentanyl. Also, the VA's recent findings on marijuana's ineffectiveness in treating PTSD, challenging the hype often seen on social media with cold, hard science. This episode strips back the curtain on the intricate and hidden connection between marijuana businesses and illicit drug trafficking.

    This conversation also steers us into the haze of 420 celebrations and the widespread normalization of cannabis use. As we witness the cultural shift around this high-potency plant, we question the silent messages sent to our youth and consider the plight of individuals struggling with cannabis use disorders amidst aggressive marijuana marketing. We explore Colorado's challenges in keeping these public festivities adult-exclusive and scrutinize the role of public officials like Governor Jared Polis in stoking the industry's flames. 
    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 15 min
    Interview with Dr. Eric Voth on "Medical Marijuana", Kansas efforts, and more

    Interview with Dr. Eric Voth on "Medical Marijuana", Kansas efforts, and more

    Critical examination of marijuana legalization with Dr. Eric Voth, a leading voice in internal medicine, pain management, and addiction medicine, and the president of the International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis. Dr. Voth explains the maze of medical and scientific considerations that accompany the shifting sands of "medical marijuana" policy. As we navigate the complexities of public health and safety implications, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the stark realities and challenges the medical community faces in states like Kansas, where the battle against legalization is fierce. This episode promises to arm you with knowledge and perspective on an issue that is as controversial as it is current.



    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 15 min
    Youth Marijuana Misconceptions & Arizona's Cannabis Advertising Laws w/ Dr. Gary Kirkilas

    Youth Marijuana Misconceptions & Arizona's Cannabis Advertising Laws w/ Dr. Gary Kirkilas

    Luke interviews Dr. Gary Kirkilas, as the Phoenix, AZ pediatrician takes us behind the scenes of his mobile medical unit, revealing the startling transformation in how today's youth perceive and use marijuana. Dr. Kirkilas shares eye-opening anecdotes from at-risk communities, showing a trend where teens now view cannabis as a go-to remedy for common ailments such as ADHD and anxiety. This episode digs into the troubling normalization of marijuana and the resulting increase in cannabis use disorder and hyperemesis in children—conditions that are alarmingly under-recognized.

     Hear the inside story of how disparate groups, including medical professionals, substance abuse advocates, and even billboard companies, came together to shape a bill that addresses the void left by the 2020 voter initiative. From the consensus on banning cartoon imagery to the establishment of billboard distance regulations, this episode illuminates the triumphs and challenges in navigating public health advocacy in a state with commercial marijuana.
    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 18 min
    Bloomberg & WaPo Editorials on Weed and Measure 110

    Bloomberg & WaPo Editorials on Weed and Measure 110

    Luke goes over the giant Ed Board pieces over the weekend, key statistics driving this analysis, and much more. 
    Follow the work of SAM and FDPS below:

    https://learnaboutsam.org/
    https://gooddrugpolicy.org/
    https://thedrugreport.org/

    On X:
    https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam
    https://twitter.com/GoodDrugPolicy
    https://twitter.com/KevinSabet
    https://twitter.com/LukeNiforatos

    On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/learnaboutsam

    • 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
27 Ratings

27 Ratings

scottdiego ,

Incredibly important

Pushing back against normalization of use and commercialization of marijuana is critically important. Marijuana is the most dangerous drug in America America because what people think they know about it is wrong. I hope some significant time will be spent in the future exposing the myth of “medical“ marijuana.

“Medical“ marijuana has been the scheme to fool the public and legislatures.

Thank you for all the work you do.

Scanfro ,

Informative

Finally a reliable voice that isn’t so in love with a drug as to not recognize the clear dangers it presents.

Catherine Antley ,

Catherine Antley

Excellent presentation!!

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