OUR MISSION

It is time to stop the normalization of drugs in this country. On election day this year, the legalization of marijuana is on the ballot in North Dakota.

 

American kids are abusing drugs at alarming rates. This is often caused by an addiction to marijuana, due to its widespread accessibility and exposure to our kids. Let us be clear, marijuana is hurting our kids' mental and physical health. Our kids mental and physical heath.

 

Removing criminal penalties for marijuana possession as part of a comprehensive marijuana policy is a must. Legalization, however, goes too far and creates a multi-billion dollar industry whose impact exacerbates many of the underlying contributors to systemic injustice.

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Like with our past in tobacco, the full consequences of marijuana commercialization will materialize over decades. However, we do not need to wait that long to understand some key outcomes. For example, the data in this report—and many others—show states that legalized marijuana have among the highest rates of marijuana use in the country, and use is sharply increasing in vulnerable demographics, like youth and young adults whose brains are still developing.

 

The research is clear. States that have legalized marijuana also have:

 

• Higher rates of marijuana-related driving fatalities.

• Issues with “legally” sold, but contaminated, marijuana vapes.

• More marijuana-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and accidental exposures.

• Expansive and lucrative criminal markets.

• Exacerbated racial disparities in marijuana industry participation and criminal justice enforcement.

• Increases in workplace problems, including labor shortages and accidents.

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We believe that the health, safety and economic harms of recreational marijuana legalization are far more dangerous than any of the social benefits the drug derives. We are parents, medical doctors, employers, treatment providers, drug prevention professionals, business owners, first responders, and other law enforcement officers. Our communities should not be victims of the commercialization and normalization of marijuana. 

 

Our kids are vulnerable, let us foster a national environment that progresses mental health support, not easing access to a damaging substance. Our children are already victims to the vaping and tobacco industries. As parents and Americans,  let us not allow profit driven corporatists in the marijuana industry to threaten our kids health with more legal mind altering drugs. Now is the time to vote responsibly in North Dakota.

 

Protect Our Kids Inc. is the sister org of SAM, Smart Approaches to Marijuana, the nations top anti marijuana organization. 

 

Here’s a link to SAM’s website: https://learnaboutsam.org