Anti-marijuana religious groups are getting louder — and they’re poised to take action
Through
Religious people are less likely to support legal marijuana than those who identify as atheists and agnostics, according to a Pew Research Center poll last year.
The survey found that just under half (54%) of respondents who identify with a religious group believe cannabis should be legal for medicinal and recreational use. At the same time, about three-quarters (76%) of US adults surveyed, who self-identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing special,” want to see the plant legalized.
While cannabis advocates and stockholders tirelessly push to legalize marijuana, religious activists are arguing for the opposite.
Just weeks after Amendment 3 — which aims to legalize adult-use cannabis in Missouri this fall — was criticized by Catholic bishops who urged Missouri residents to vote “no” to the amendment, religious organizations followed in North Dakota and Arkansas this example.
Photo by Ric Rodrigues via Pexels
Islamists and Christians agree on marijuana
In North Dakota, religious groups have joined forces with law enforcement officials to oppose Measure 2, which would legalize recreational marijuana, KVRR reported.
A statement from the North Dakota Catholic Conference insisted that Catholics have an obligation “to protect human life and the common good.”
Islamic advocates seem to be on the same page as Christians, at least when it comes to cannabis.
“From a religious point of view, from an Islamic point of view, any intoxicant is forbidden for this matter,” said Mohamed Sanaullah, board member of the Fargo-Moorhead Islamic Society. “Again, it is a personal decision. If they are more religious, they should probably vote no.”
North Dakota sheriffs, deputies, police chiefs and peace officer associations all share a similar stance on the issue.
“It [marijuana legalization] will be a severe drain on our already strained law enforcement resources,” said Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski, who raised concerns about the impact of legalization on his department. “It will exacerbate an already existing problem with addiction.”
RELATED: The Most Cannabis-Friendly Religions
In his view, marijuana should be treated the same as alcohol. He warned that children could be most affected if the facility is accessible.
“Even if you say it’s only for 21 years or older, just like any other prescription drug that adults take home, kids have access to it,” Zibolski said. “It also increases their ability to get it easier.
Kristie Spooner, Chair of Healthy and Productive North Dakota, went a step further and said cannabis can cause psychosis in addition to other mental health issues.
Nonetheless, New Approach ND members support the legalization of cannabis in North Dakota and its responsible use.
RELATED: Are Attitudes Towards Marijuana Changing Within the Catholic Church?
“Most people, myself included, would rather have a system that’s regulated from planting to sale,” said Mark Friese, Treasurer of New Approach. “Regulated, safe, verified marijuana, legally made with regulated companies in the light of the day.”
Photo by Tetra Images/Getty Images
Arkansas activists are moving from words to action
Meanwhile, in Arkansas, David Couch, the attorney behind the state’s medical marijuana amendment, is working to thwart Responsible Growth Arkansas’ (RGA) recreational cannabis legalization efforts.
Couch has teamed up with the church’s Family Council Action Committee to fight Issue 4, which would legalize adult use of cannabis, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Couch held a joint press conference with Jerry Cox, the committee’s executive director, on Wednesday. In it, Couch said he is currently touring the state, meeting with church groups, chambers of commerce, and other groups and organizations opposed to the proposed marijuana policy change.
Cox revealed the committee has distributed about half a million flyers to local churches with the headlines “Arkansas Doesn’t Need Another Drug Problem” and “Deadly Meth, Opioids, Heroin, and Fentanyl Are Already Destroying Too Many Lives.”
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
Post a comment: