COLUMBUS –In 2015, Ohio voters soundly turned down a ballot measure that would have legalized limited use and possession of recreational marijuana in Ohio by a 64-36 margin. However, the issue has not gone away. One coalition is urging lawmakers to consider the errors of other states where recreational marijuana has been an epic fail.
The Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) joined community leaders, medical professionals, parents, and drug addiction specialists at a press conference on Tuesday to discuss the devastating impact legalizing recreational marijuana would have on Ohio. The press conference was in response to the latest effort to pressure state lawmakers and voters to allow the commercialization of marijuana for recreational use.
“We no longer need to wonder what commercializing marijuana would mean for businesses, children, and communities, says Aaron Baer, President of CCV. “Eight years of data from states that have already journeyed down the rabbit-hole of commercialization show increases in addiction, cannabis and opioid use disorders, industrial accidents, hiring shortages, black market activity and crime, youth usage, and automobile accidents.”
According to data collected by the coalition, the non-FDA approved Schedule I narcotic is addictive and may cause mental illnesses, ranging from anxiety and depression to schizophrenia and psychosis, and even suicidal thoughts. These risks are heightened when consumed by youth.
Marijuana use has an association with future substance misuse and addiction. Research has found users of marijuana are more likely to misuse prescription opioids. Though the majority of those using marijuana will not go on to use other drugs, more than 95% of those using heroin and cocaine started with marijuana.
During the press conference, CCV and the coalition against legalized recreational marijuana presented a correspondence to lawmakers and Governor Mike DeWine detailing the harms and lies of the marijuana industry. Composed of religious, medical and drug treatment leaders, the letter was signed by twenty-one leaders.
“We no longer need to wonder what commercializing marijuana would mean for businesses, children, and communities. Eight years of data from states that have already journeyed down the rabbit-hole of commercialization show increases in addiction, cannabis and opioid use disorders, industrial accidents, hiring shortages, black market activity and crime, youth usage, and automobile accidents.”
Among other facts, the letter details how: According to a study reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, employees who tested positive for marijuana had 55% more industrial accidents, 85% more injuries, and 75% greater absenteeism compared to those who tested negative.
In Colorado, more than one in every four road deaths has involved a marijuana- impaired driver.
According to the coalition, Illicit markets have thrived in every “legal” state, such as Oregon, where illegal marijuana makes up more than 70% of the market. In fact, where legalization is present, cannabis in neighborhoods has also been societally transformative in the bad sense.
There are currently more marijuana dispensaries in the state of Colorado than there are Starbuck’s and McDonald’s combined, and these dispensaries are located mostly in lower-income neighborhoods. Commercialization draws the marijuana industry into the state and dramatically alters the culture of businesses in the community.
A 2018 Centennial Institute study on the economic and social costs of legalized marijuana in Colorado found that it cost the state $4.50 to counteract the effects of marijuana legalization for each dollar brought in by marijuana tax revenues.
States with mature marijuana markets (CA, CO, NV, OR, and WA) are facing a combined budget deficit of $71 billion. Marijuana revenues are not helping with COVID-19 related economic shortfalls
The letter concluded by saying, “At a time when Ohio families are grappling with unprecedented crime and addiction compounded by the stress of a global pandemic, we consider the commercialization of an
addictive drug with such scientifically proven public health harms to be grossly irresponsible.”
View the Center for Christian Virtue Facebook video of the press conference below.
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The Bible in Proverbs says, “As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.”
