Former addict Democrat Patrick Kennedy joins opponents of legalizing marijuana in the US

Kennedy cofounds SAM, ‘Smart Approaches to Marijuana’ to help deter legalization

Read more: VP Joe Biden suddenly looks like the smartest politician in America

The Boston Herald writes that SAM ‘hopes to raise money to oppose legalization messages around the country, shape the legalization laws taking effect in Washington and Colorado, promote alternatives to jail time for pot users and speed up scientific research on the effects of marijuana.’

On the panel for Kennedy’s SAM organization is Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser under President Obama; David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W. Bush; and Dr. Sharon Levy, chairwoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on substance abuse.

The other board members insist that they are not looking to force marijuana-users into treatment, but that there should be more of a public health intervention. They also insist that there are dangers linked to marijuana that are not being publicized properly, similarly to how tobacco boasted no negative side effects originally.

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Nster.com