ONTARIO — As the push to bring Marijuana dispensaries and cultivation sites comes to Richland County, area clergy went on the record pointing to policymakers that supposed benefits from the industry are really ‘smoke and mirrors.’
Recently a joint statement representing clergy from seventy different congregations inside Richland County was submitted to Ontario City Council. The letter called for the prohibition of Marijuana facilities inside city limits that involve the harvesting and commercial sale of the Schedule I drug.
The letter cited the addictive nature of the drug, its adverse health effects, its affiliation with crime, the inevitability of the illegal diversion, and recent malpractice cases of Ohio physicians trafficking drugs.
According to Benjamin Mutti, Spokesman for the Richland Community Family Coalition, township trustee boards and municipal councils have the authority under state law (H.B. 523) to prohibit or restrict these facilities.
“Because of the addictive nature, the adverse side effects, and its affiliation with violent crime, “medical” Marijuana is not the wonder drug some make it to be… While Colorado has legalized medical and recreation Marijuana, seventy-percent of that state’s communities have outright banned the commercial sale of this harmful drug.”
Benjamin Mutti
Richland Community Family Coalition
“Because of the addictive nature, the adverse side effects, and its affiliation with violent crime, “medical” Marijuana is not the wonder drug some make it to be. For this reason, our local government has been given authority to prevent the Marijuana industry from coming through our doors. While Colorado has legalized medical and recreation Marijuana, seventy-percent of that state’s communities have outright banned the commercial sale of this harmful drug.”
Clergy believe nothing could be further from the truth when medical experts assert that Marijuana will ease the Opioid addiction epidemic. The clergy letter stated the claim brings to mind the ‘wonder drugs” of Suboxone and Methadone which were both advertised as the answer to treating painkiller addiction, only to become addicted and abused drugs in their own right.
The clergy believe Marijuana will be no different.
The clergy wrote in their letter, “Ironically, while the federal government has eased its penalties for illicit drug offenses, it has on the other hand escalated its restriction of religious freedoms, in many cases outlawing religious acknowledgement and religious expression.”
According to Reverend El Akuchie, one of the co-signers of the clergy letter, he believes the illicit drug industry is using “medical” Marijuana as a steppingstone to recreational marijuana.
“Ohioans voted overwhelmingly by a 2 to 1 margin to prevent marijuana from being legalized in 2015. Why would we want to promote a drug and add to the substance abuse addiction crisis? Scripture says ‘All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient, all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
He went on to say, “The pastors have spoken: our families need hope, not another drug.”
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The Bottom Line:
1 Peter 1 says, “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.”
