(STATEWIDE) — North Dakota’s major healthcare and law enforcement organizations have come together in opposition to Measure 5 on this November’s ballot.
“The North Dakota Medical, North Dakota Hospital, North Dakota Peace Officers, Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, and North Dakota Sheriffs and Deputies Associations are all opposed to the legalization of recreational marijuana (cannabis) in our state,” said Patrick Finken, Chair of the Brighter Future Alliance. “Their members have a clear understanding of the disastrous impact on health and public safety stemming from legalization. We encourage all voters to again reject this measure and vote NO on Measure 5 on November 5.”
According to Dr. Stephanie Dahl, President of the North Dakota Medical Association, “Marijuana use is not without risk. Studies have shown that frequent use of marijuana is associated with the development of substance use disorders, impaired cognitive function, cancer, and mental health issues such as anxiety, psychosis, and depression. Marijuana legalization is also associated with more suicides, opioid use, and drug overdoses.”
Kristie Spooner, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor, said, “Legalizing marijuana may exacerbate existing public health challenges, including impaired driving and workplace safety concerns. As someone who has spent decades working with individuals struggling with substance use, I have seen firsthand the devastating impact that marijuana addiction can have on individuals, families, and communities.”
“It is crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our communities and take a cautious approach to any policy changes that could increase the prevalence of substance use and its associated harms,” commented Tim Blasl, President of the North Dakota Hospital Association. “Instead of legalizing marijuana, we should focus on prevention, education, and providing adequate resources for those who need help with substance use and mental health issues. We continue to experience an epidemic in terms of behavioral health issues in our communities and the health and safety of our community must come first.”
“Don’t buy into the argument that legalization of recreational marijuana will free up law enforcement to focus on more serious crime. In fact, quite the opposite will happen. Legalization will lead to an increase in traffic accidents and fatalities,” said Jason Ziegler, Mandan Chief of Police. “And the legalization of recreational marijuana will not eliminate the illegal sale of marijuana, causing law enforcement to focus their efforts on black-market sales and enforcing the public use ban in addition to the avalanche of other drug related crime inundating our state.”
“The legalization of recreational marijuana will lead to increased adult use, access, and normalization of its use, but the increase will not be limited to adults only. States that have legalized recreational marijuana have also seen a dramatic increase in youth drug use compared to non-legalized states,” adds Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben. “The states that already have legalized marijuana are only now realizing the huge social costs associated with legalization.”
Other groups opposed to Measure 5 include the North Dakota Petroleum Council, Association of General Contractors, North Dakota Motor Carriers, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Catholic Conference, and North Dakota Family Alliance.
