Faith leaders warn Ohio could turn into California if Issue 2 Marijuana passes (VIDEO)

NORTH CENTRAL OHIO– On November 7th, Ohioans will decide if they want to reject legalizing Marijuana for recreational purposes. Ohio clergy are doing their best to make sure the Buckeye State does not join the Wild West. Recently over one hundred-forty clergymen joined forces to publicly stand against Issue 2. If Ohioans vote Yes, clergy say their state will be on a collision course with crime and addiction.

The clergy believe saying otherwise is only smoke in mirrors.

If Ohioans want a glimpse of what legalized recreational Marijuana will bring, they can look to California. In 2016 California voters legalized Marijuana, legalizing the restricted growth, consumption, and transportation of the mind-altering drug. Since then, the state has been runover by drug cartels, runaway hospitalizations, and traffic accidents have run wild. Law enforcement routinely see this, sometimes even on their doorstep.

On Thursday two people were arrested after their U-Haul truck filled with approximately 2,000 pounds of Marijuana crashed into the gates of a police station in Sierra Madre, California. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the driver reported that he was shot somewhere in the Temple City area before driving over to Sierra Madre, where the apparent crash happened.

Both the driver and passenger of the U-Haul were arrested for possession of narcotics. The driver was taken to the hospital for treatment and on Friday morning was being questioned at the sheriff’s station in Temple City. This incident comes as no surprise. The timing of the incident could make it a harbinger for Ohioans as they vote next week.

“If Ohio follows in the footsteps of California for Issue 2 and legalizes Marijuana, our state will be going the wrong way,” says Ohio Pastor Steve Brenneman. “The Buckeye State will find itself on a collision course with a gateway drug associated with lawlessness, addiction, and adverse health effects. Passage of Issue 2 will ultimately assist in driving our state’s culture off a cliff.”

Brenneman, a former Sheriff, was one of four Ohio faith leaders with law enforcement backgrounds publicly opposing Issue 2’s Marijuana legalization. In the clergy press conference from October 4th, the clergymen pointed to the West Coast to describe the dangers of legalization. The pastors said that not only does Marijuana negatively impact the judgement of its users, it also adversely impacts the executive functions of the brain.

“The American Automobile Association took ten years of data from Washington State which legalized Recreational Marijuana in 2012.  They found the percentage of THC-Positive drivers doubled after recreational use was legalized, and fatal crashes involving drivers who tested positive for Marijuana also increased two-fold.”

“With thirty-four years in law enforcement, eleven as Sheriff, I have seen first hand the devastating effects of Marijuana and how it has torn families apart. Marijuana will not release people from the problems of life, it will add to them. The only thing that will release depressed people from their problems is Jesus Christ.”

“In 2015, Ohioans overwhelmingly opposed the legalization of Recreational Marijuana,” the clergy said. “Now this Fall on Tuesday, November 7th, we encourage Ohioans to do the same and “VOTE NO” on Issue 2. Do not let the Buckeye State get lost in the weeds.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Titus Two, “Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age…”

View video below of clergy press conference from October 4th, 2023. Faith leaders from 142 congregations are urging Ohioans to “VOTE NO” on Issue 2 Marijuana.

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