Christians oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana not only because of how its continual use plagues society with lazy, unmotivated and drugged-up individuals, but also because it is not a “harmless” drug or a “victimless crime” as woke culture has convinced the younger generation – it can be just as dangerous as other regulated substances and it should be treated as such throughout the nation.
A massive new study by the Cambridge journal Psychological Medicine observed 6.9 million individuals between the ages of 16 to 49 and studied over 45,000 schizophrenia cases from 1972 to 2021. They were able to find strong correlations between marijuana use and schizophrenia cases. The study eventually concluded that “one-fifth of cases of schizophrenia among young males might be prevented by averting CUD,” which stands for cannabis use disorder.
Men and boys are more at risk for developing schizophrenia in response to cannabis use, with the study citing that “approximately 15% of recent cases of schizophrenia among males would have been prevented in the absence of CUD, in contrast to 4% among females.” It added that preventable CUD-associated cases could be as high as 25% to 30% for men.
In a society so troubled with mental health and violence, preventing even 10% of schizophrenia cases should stand out as something positive to work toward. But in spite of their fixation on “mental health,” the Left will not speak out against marijuana use and its adverse effects – because they only want to improve mental health when it aligns with their agenda, such as appeasing individuals who think that a man can turn into a woman, or a woman can turn into a cat. They will never care about mental health when it comes to science and data, because it negates their popular key issues that win voters over who just want to have “fun” while ignoring the consequences to society.
Allowing individuals to have easy, legal access to a drug that has proven links to a severe mental health disorder is irresponsible and puts other Americans at risk. This is no longer a matter of personal liberty – it is a matter of keeping society safe.
“The federal government currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance” under the Controlled Substances Act, President Biden explained. “The same as heroin and LSD, and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense.”
Or does it, President Biden?
A study from the National Institute of Health described acute adverse effects of continual marijuana use as including “hyperemesis syndrome, impaired coordination and performance, anxiety, suicidal ideations/tendencies, and psychotic symptoms.”
“Evidence indicates that frequent and prolonged use of cannabis can be detrimental to both mental and physical health,” the study continued. “Chronic effects of cannabis use include mood disorders, exacerbation of psychotic disorders in vulnerable people, cannabis use disorders, withdrawal syndrome, neurocognitive impairments, cardiovascular and respiratory and other diseases.”
The criteria for Schedule I drugs are those that have a “high potential of abuse.” Although the average effects of marijuana may be less severe than other drugs currently classified as Schedule I or Schedule II, such as fentanyl, it by no means negates the fact that consistent use of THC products can have “detrimental” effects and is easily abused by users. Perhaps this merely calls for even greater restrictions and a higher classification for fentanyl, but by no means does it justify reducing the classification of marijuana.
Not only should harm to the individual be taken into consideration, but states that have legalized marijuana recreationally have experienced an uptick in car crashes and deaths directly related to cannabis use. This is one of the many ways that marijuana impacts society at large, not only the individuals who partake in its use.
In light of these studies and the serious ramifications of recreational marijuana, we believe Washington should strongly consider reversing the law that legalized its use, I-502. Continue to pray that the tide would turn in our state and legislators would stand up for what is safest for our society – not what is most popular. We need real reform that protects our families and our children, and we need legislators who are willing to resist the woke mob and do what is right for Washington, even in the face of criticism.
