We learn over at WRAL that Governor Josh Stein wants to push the decriminalization and de facto legalization of marijuana and THC products in the state of North Carolina.
Given the fact that Stein is the state’s highest elected democratic socialist, we must be clear that the position he has taken on this issue is influenced by racial identity politics and a toleration of drug culture. There is also somewhat of a social libertarian streak.
But it must be emphasized Stein ignores the fact that these products do medical harm; that they interfere with motivation and career formation in young people; and that they lead to more dangerous drugs.
He is correct that some of these products are already being sold legally. That probably needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, there is ample industry money being showered on elected officials from both political parties.
But we need to get serious about protecting the public. Stein wants to abandon that responsibility.
Here is an excellent video ( Start at 8:45 )
Pueblo Physicians Code Red: Dr. Karen Randall Presenting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs9X2qpGoUY
The Code Red series of videos features emergency room doctors in Colorado who describe in graphic detail what has been going on there since marijuana was legalized there, including psychotic breaks, violent behavior, suicidal depression and acts of suicide, the cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (violent screaming and vomiting), and miscarriages. Below are reports of the harmful and costly impacts of marijuana legalization in those jurisdictions where it has been legalized.
One argument against marijuana legalization is that chronic use is linked to respiratory problems, mental illness, poor motor performance, and impaired functioning of the cognitive and immune systems. Research has also shown marijuana smoke to contain carcinogens. A second argument against marijuana legalization is that the price for marijuana would be lowered, which would increase its use.
For years, cannabis advocates claimed that legalizing recreational marijuana would benefit America. But more than a decade into the experiment, it’s clear that legalization has been nothing short of a disaster.
Recreational marijuana use has steadily increased across the country. Forty-four percent of people between the ages of 19 and 30 reported marijuana use in 2022, up from 35 percent in 2017 and 28 percent in 2012. One in ten of that same age group admitted to daily use—a number that has doubled in the past decade.
Legalization has made marijuana more accessible and more acceptable, in part because it has created the false perception that the drug is “safe.” Advocates have downplayed the health risks, touting it as a largely harmless and nonaddictive drug. But today’s marijuana packs seven to 30 times the punch of Woodstock-era weed. Due to this recent, deliberate engineering of hyperpotent marijuana, we don’t yet have a full understanding of its health risks because most studies have been based on the far less potent product of the past.
It has been grossly irresponsible to legalize this potent drug for recreational use before rigorous evaluation. Even potentially lifesaving cancer drugs are withheld from the market until their effects have been studied. But states have rushed to make recreational marijuana easily available, without FDA approval, without adequate control, and before its health consequences are fully understood.
Thanks for this helpful post, Fred.
I had a childhood friend whose brain was utterly fried with chronic marijuana use beginning during late middle school/ early high school years, and then progressing to other drugs.
When you legalize a drug like marijuana, many more people will use it, as your post suggests. That, in fact, is the reason I think repealing prohibition was a mistake.