Kevin Sabet
Kevin A. Sabet (born February 20, 1979) is an assistant professor of psychiatry and Director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida. With Patrick J. Kennedy, he co-founded SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) in January 2013. He is also the author of numerous articles and monographs as well as the book "Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana." (published by Beaufort).
Education and career
Sabet is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and Oxford University, where he received his Doctorate in social policy as a Marshall Scholar. He is an opponent of drug legalization and spoke on behalf of the Obama Administration on the subject. After leaving ONDCP after 2.5 years, he became a consultant and professor. In January 2013, Rolling Stone called him "Legalization Enemy #1" ahead of the US Drug Czar and the DEA Administrator.
Kevin is the president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). He is a regular contributor to TV and print media and a blogger for the Huffington Post. Most of his recent media mentions relate to SAM.
Drug Policy Field
Sabet drew national attention for his anti-drug work. He has worked with NIDA Director Alan Leshner on MDMA education efforts, and has had testimony entered on the official House record.
He has written on the need for prevention, treatment, and enforcement to guide drug policy, although he has also argued for abolishing severe sentencing guidelines, like mandatory minimum laws. His articles have been published in newspapers, such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. He has argued for marijuana decriminalization but has opposed legalization.
