Thursday, December 8, 2011

Top 10 Reasons Not to Legalize Marijuana

10: IT WOULD STILL BE ILLEGAL
In July 2011 the federal government reaffirmed marijuana as a Schedule I substance; i.e., no accepted medical use and high abuse potential. Therefore, its possession and use remains a federal crime. Since federal law preempts state law, marijuana would still be illegal in Iowa.

9: MARIJUANA POSSESSION/USE IS NOT IMPACTING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Proponents often make misleading statements about marijuana arrests and the jail population.

8: WHY REPEAT AMSTERDAM’S MISTAKE
The wrong type of people would be attracted to Iowa and for the wrong reasons. We need tourists attracted by our rolling hills and relaxed environment, not as the Mecca for getting ‘stoned.’

7: NEGATIVE IMAGE OF IOWA
If marijuana is legalized under Iowa law, our state would be considered the ‘POT CAPITAL’ of the nation. This notoriety would have a negative impact on attracting new businesses and families deterred by Iowa’s image and quality of life issues. This could also impact decisions to send students to Iowa institutes of higher education.

6: HARM TO EXISTING BUSINESSES AND THE ECONOMY
Substance abuse studies have shown that businesses and employers will experience greater rates of absenteeism, industrial accidents and tardiness as well as less productivity with a potential work force regularly using marijuana. This not only results in economic losses, but conflicts with the federal Drug Free Workplace requirements and companies losing federal contracts. Businesses would be less likely to stay or move into a state where drug use related risks are high.

5: BLINDSIDE ECONOMICS
At best, potential tax revenue generated by legalizing marijuana will cover only 15% of the collateral costs to our community such as: increased drug treatment, emergency room visits, crime, traffic accidents and school ‘drop-outs’ to name just a few of the costs related to marijuana use.

4: MARIJUANA USE WOULD INCREASE
Marijuana use and its negative health, behavioral and societal impacts will increase among both youth and adults. The best estimates from experts project that the number of regular users would at least double and likely triple in the most vulnerable 12 – 25 age range.

3: TREATMENT AND ADDICTION RATES WOULD RISE
Regular marijuana use can be addictive and lead to deteriorating behavior, particularly in young people. In 2009, 830,000 youth had marijuana addiction characteristics. Sixty-eight percent of youth in drug treatment are there for marijuana use.

2: ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
As parents and citizens, we have a responsibility to prepare our youth for a healthy and successful future. The basis for their future lies in providing them with a quality educational environment. If marijuana was legalized, it is estimated that 20 – 30 percent of our school-aged children will become regular marijuana users. That will negatively affect their attendance, concentration, memory, brain development and thus academic achievement and participation in a positive educational setting.

1: DEATHS FROM IMPAIRED DRIVING WOULD INCREASE
Marijuana use affects coordination, decision-making and perception which directly results in impaired driving. People who drive after using marijuana are nearly twice as likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. Drivers, who tested positive for marijuana, after an accident, were more than three times as likely to be responsible for the fatal car crash. In the past ten years in Iowa in 25% of car accidents where the driver tested positive for drug use there was a fatality.

THE ABOVE ARE BOLD STATEMENTS BUT CAN BE SUPPORTED BY STUDIES AND RESEARCH. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: www.vbsafecoalition.com

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