Clergy tell voters to oppose gateway drug May 6th: “Don’t let Crestline go off the rails”

CRESTLINE — Local voters on the May 6th election will be asked whether Crestline should ‘permit the establishment and operation of an adult cannabis (marijuana) dispensary, and whether to direct Village Council to enact legislation regulating the operation of such dispensary.’ A group of Crawford County pastors are speaking out in an open letter and believe marijuana is not conducive to family values.

“Marijuana will steal, kill, and destroy,” says Lead Pastor Rodney Noblit. “If our community accepts this dangerous drug that is still illegal at the federal level, it will steal the future of many.  The Bible says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Noblit, a cosigner of the clergy letter, comments “If our community chooses wisely, these Scriptures can apply to our beloved community.  In fact, this is the favorite Bible passage of Crestline legend, Coach Mike Gottfried.”

In their open letter, the clergy wrote, “The faith community has served the resilient citizens of Crestline addressing the physical and spiritual needs of our beloved blue-collar community.   As community stakeholders, we have engaged the drug addiction calamity prior to the Opioid Crisis and will continue assisting families even after.  Our family culture is at a crossroads, and May 6^th may determine what kind of future we will have.” 

Although Ohioans voted to legalize marijuana in 2023, a majority 53% of Crawford County voters opposed the legalization of mind-altering marijuana.  According to Chapter 3780.25 of the Ohio Revised Code, the only legal remedy local jurisdictions have is to prohibit commercial marijuana facilities. Presently there are at least 122 communities that prohibit mind-altering marijuana, including 18 of 27 government jurisdictions in nearby Richland County, Ohio.

In their correspondence, the faith leaders added, “We believe revenue from the cannabis industry must never take precedent over the security and sanctity of the family.  Marijuana is closely associated with psychosis and schizophrenia.  Since its legalization in Ohio, a spike in child-poisonings has been seen.”  

The clergy assert that mind-altering marijuana with high levels of THC also impairs individuals with ‘the tunnel vision of addiction,’ sidetracks the productivity and motivation of the workforce, and derails public health and safety.  “Allowing Marijuana cartels to profit off the suffering of our community is not acceptable-commercial cannabis will only add to the trauma in our neighborhoods.”

A study conducted by the liberal-leaning University of Colorado Denver found between 2012-2015, neighborhoods with one or more medical or recreational dispensaries saw increased crime rates between 26 and 1,452 percent higher than in neighborhoods without any commercial marijuana activity.  Crimes included: aggravated assault, burglary, drug and alcohol offenses, and robbery.

“We want Crestline to remain a family-friendly town and to not go off the rails,” says Pastor Christopher Spencer, another clergy cosigner. “As nine area lead clergymen, we encourage Crestline voters on Tuesday, May 6th to “VOTE NO” and oppose commercial marijuana.  We want to send a signal to Village Council that marijuana should not be normalized.”

Lead clergy cosigners of the open letter include: Joshua Cole of Praise Generation Church, Rabbi Bob Bauer, of Beit El Elyon Congregation, Pastor Bill Fox of Faith Community Church, Pastor Christopher Spencer of Crestline Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Brian Lavelle of House of Grace Church, Pastor Bob Weaver of Crestline Church of Nazarene, Pastor J.C. Church of Victory in Truth Ministries, Pastor Rodney Noblit of Heritage Baptist Church, and Evangelist Johnny Cox of Crestline Church of Christ.

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Isaiah 57, “Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.”

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