Category Archives: Editorial

Editorial

Pot Revenue for At-Risk Kids is a BAD idea

A version of this letter ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch

In Kathy Glazer of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s recent column, she mentions that the Virginia General Assembly is going to devote 40% of tax revenues from marijuana sales to fund pre-school services for “at risk” toddlers.

Parental drug use is one of the lifestyle choices that puts children at risk to begin with. Marijuana triggers mood disorders which impair parenting ability and often leads to child abuse. The drug is widely known for causing Amotivational syndrome which can lead to unemployability or job loss.

Marijuana is an addictive drug which is totally incompatible with child rearing responsibilities.

What if the parents of the children are buying the marijuana and not properly caring for the children because of it?  Parents Opposed to Pot is tracking news reports of marijuana-related cases of child abuse and neglect leading to death of a child. Just since Colorado legalized recreational pot we have found 250 such tragedies, around the nation.

Emergency rooms in pot legal states are reporting dramatic increases of child poisoning cases due to parents leaving marijuana edibles out and accessible to their young.

Marijuana in the home is encouraging more youth use. Kids are falling prey to early addiction both because of their adult role models and easy access. We need to stop trying to justify legalization for the tax revenues, especially in the case where the funds are directed toward at-risk youth. Instead, Virginia citizens and our political leaders need to closely examine the unintended consequences in the states that have already made the mistake of commercializing a mind-altering drug.

Marijuana legalization is a sure way to fracture more families and put more children at risk.

Submitted by: Parents Opposed to Pot

 

Editorial, Politics

Government setting wrong example on pot

The following article comes from the “Your Views” section of The Daily Herald, a Chicagoland newspaper, on January 7, 2020.

What was Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton thinking when she purchased recreational marijuana in Chicago on the first day of its legal sales in Illinois? Does she not understand that as a public official, she is setting a reckless and foolish example, especially for children and teens?

Illinois policymakers are sending a dangerous message to our young people. First, we called it “medicinal.” Now, we call it “recreational.” Gone are the days of “this is your brain on drugs.” Instead, elected officials like Stratton are celebrating drug use by welcoming the marijuana industry to communities throughout the state.

Their feckless example will mislead citizens into a diminished understanding of the dangers of drug use until it affects them personally. As the perception of risk plummets, drug use (and addictions) will climb.

Not only have lawmakers failed to do their due diligence before passing this marijuana law, but they have also failed to heed the compelling research that indicates how regular use of marijuana affects young people, including an increased risk of psychiatric illnesses and loss of IQ points.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, and religious leaders would do well to counter Stratton’s irresponsible example by returning to the sensible message, “just say no to drugs.”

David Smith, Executive Director, Illinois Family Institute

Editorial

Andy’s Mom asks for Ask for Appeal to Senators, No on S. 1200

By Sally Schindel, mother of Andy Zorn

Inexplicable to me – public opinion has been supporting normalization and promotion of drug use, legalizing and commercializing recreational use. It is very politically unpopular to stand up against it. I know firsthand.

But too many families are losing too many children. It can’t be too far away when the majority start deciding they want to be on the right side of this issue and won’t be bullied Continue reading Andy’s Mom asks for Ask for Appeal to Senators, No on S. 1200 →

Editorial, Featured

Legalizing marijuana isn’t about social justice

By Will Jones III

The Philadelphia Inquirer asked advocates for and against legalization/commercialization of marijuana to weigh in on the topic.  Here’s what Will Jones, of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) wrote:

Calls to legalize marijuana often lead with the cry of social justice. Many advocates argue that legalization will right the wrongs of our racist past in the criminal justice system.

In reality, legalization would make our society much less just than it is now. Legalization would lead to increased commercialization of marijuana, playing into the hands of an intoxicating, addictive, for-profit industry that is appropriating problems of systemic injustice to the tune of billions of dollars in profits. Pennsylvania should instead focus on decriminalization. Continue reading Legalizing marijuana isn’t about social justice →