Jefferson City — After outspending opponents by close to 700 to 1, Big Marijuana prevailed and voters legalizes marijuana in Missouri.

“After spending millions to legalize marijuana in Missouri, the industry and its forces were able to spread enough misinformation about the drug to get it commercialized,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of SAM Action. “This fight is not over. We will be working with cities and towns across the state to opt out of allowing stores and consumption sites. We are still concerned about the message this sends to young people and drivers. The devil is in the details, and we will remain actively involved in Missouri implementation because we don’t need another Big Tobacco industry harming kids in Missouri.

“Our staff and volunteers did an incredible job getting folks engaged on this issue. I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and dedication to public health and safety. I also want to acknowledge and thank the many doctors, faith leaders, law enforcement groups, parents, and social justice champions who publicly came out in opposition to legalization.

“Moving forward, SAM Action and our affiliates will identify communities and work with them to ‘opt-out’ of commercialization by banning pot shops and growing facilities like we have done in Colorado, California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. We will continue to expose the harms this predatory industry will bring upon the people of Missouri in the form of targeting disadvantaged communities, exposure to minors, arrest disparities, increased drugged driving, and the underground market.” 

SAM Action is a non-profit, 501(c)(4) social welfare organization dedicated to promoting healthy marijuana policies that do not involve legalizing drugs. SAM Action engages in high-impact political campaigns to oppose marijuana legalization and commercialization.

Protect Our Kids Inc. was formed by parents to combat the legalization and normalization of drugs in America.