Norway’s Sovereign Fund Reverses Decision to Invest in Marijuana Industry Due to SAM’s Efforts

(Alexandria, VA) – Today, it was announced that Norway’s sovereign wealth fund will reverse a decision to invest 900 million NOK into various marijuana companies and companies with ties to the marijuana industry. This decision comes after Smart Approaches to Marijuana(SAM) partnered with a broad coalition of concerned citizens and associations in the country to apply pressure on the fund to withhold investment. In response to this groundbreaking announcement, SAM President Dr. Kevin Sabet released the following statement:

“Several weeks ago, we were approached by concerned individuals who felt this investment was a gross violation of ethics and Norwegian law for their pension fund, and we were happy to partner in researching and assist them as they ratcheted up pressure on this fund. When the leadership were made aware that these companies – who take massive investments from Big Alcohol and Big Tobacco – actively market child-friendly, highly potent marijuana gummies, candies, and other edibles that are addictive and harmful, the decision to invest in them was revoked. This is a banner day for public health and an example of SAM’s global leadership on this issue. Not only are we helping defeat legalization bills across the United States this year, we are also working to cut off international investment into the second coming of Big Tobacco.”

About SAM:

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) is a nonpartisan, non-profit alliance of physicians, policy makers, prevention workers, treatment and recovery professionals, scientists, and other concerned citizens opposed to marijuana legalization who want health and scientific evidence to guide marijuana policies. SAM has affiliates in more than 30 states.

Evidence shows that marijuana – which has skyrocketed in average potency over the past decades – is addictive and harmful to the human brain especially when used by adolescents. In states that have already legalized the drug, there has been an increase in drugged driving crashes, youth marijuana use, and costs that far outweigh pot revenues.These states have seen a black market that continues to thrive, sustained disparities in marijuana arrest rates, and tobacco company investment in marijuana.

Marijuana is not a harmless drug. View the stories of its victims here.

For more information about marijuana use and its effects, visit www.learnaboutsam.org