Akuchie comments, “Marijuana is even more poisonous than when it was first outlawed nearly one hundred years ago. Legalizing this illicit drug in Ohio would be a triple threat to the health, safety, and morality of our great state. We don’t need anymore ‘second hand smoke’ to cloud our children s’ future. Three is a crowd. Vote no on Issue 3.”
this past summer, and also spearheaded an effort to persuade the County Commissioners to support the defunding of Planned Parenthood with forty-three area clergy.City of Mansfield, Ohio
Proposed NON -BINDING RESOLUTION
Whereas, Marijuana is illegal under federal law,
Whereas, Marijuana “affects brain development, and when used heavily by young people, its effects on thinking and memory may last a long time or even be permanent, (1)
Whereas, Marijuana is a gateway drug and adults who begin using marijuana early are five times more likely to become dependent on an illicit drug, eight times more likely to become a cocaine user, and 15 times more likely to use heroin in their lifetime, (2)
Whereas, a 2011 study entitled Marijuana Use and Motor Vehicle Use found that “crash risk appears to increase progressively with dose and frequency of marijuana use,” and key study findings included that “drivers who test positive for marijuana or self-report using Marijuana are more than twice as likely as other drivers to be involved in motor vehicle crashes.” (3)
Whereas, a recent Northwestern University study found that marijuana users have abnormal brain structure and poor memory and that chronic marijuana abuse may lead to brain changes resembling schizophrenia, and that the younger the person starts using marijuana, the worse the effects become. (4)
Whereas, local skilled jobs that are available will have greater difficulty being filled by a workforce that has a greater likelihood of impairment from legalized Marijuana, (5)
Whereas, the legalization of Marijuana will circumvent efforts by local law enforcement, prevention agencies like CACY, and faith-based drug treatment ministries by local congregations,
Whereas, the City Council of Mansfield in 2011 went on record as opposing a beer garden that was temporarily implemented for the Richland County Fair and subsequently cancelled thereafter,
Whereas, the following elected state officials already oppose the legalization of marijuana: the Attorney General, the State Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, and the State Auditor,
Therefore, the City Council of Mansfield, Ohio goes on record as opposing the legalization of Marijuana, and Issue Three as described in the November 2015 election ballot.
References:
(1) http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
(2) http://www.drugfreeworkplace.org/10-facts-about-marijuana/
(3) http://dfaf.org/assets/docs/Health%20Risks%20of%20Marijuana%20Use.pdf
On November 3, 2015 residents of Ohio wisely and overwhelmingly voted NO! on Issue 3.