Marijuana – Page 111 – Family Council

And Yet Another Study Shows Marijuana Is Dangerous

Jan 28, 2021John StonestreetMarijuanaMarijuana

*John Stonestreet, Radio Host and President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.*

An oft-repeated line from advocates in and out of American politics is that marijuana, unlike opioids or cocaine, is a “safe drug.” Every campaign to legalize its sale and use repeats this claim. But it’s not true.

A study just published in JAMA Pediatrics found that heavy cannabis use among adolescents and young adults with mood disorders is “associated with an elevated risk of self-harm, overall mortality, and death by unintentional overdose and homicide.”

Making this finding even more significant and ominous is the fact that mood disorders have risen significantly over the past decade among younger Americans.

According to the study’s author, a first step is to educate parents and kids about the risks. That’s true, but we also need to educate politicians and voters that promises of financial windfalls won’t somehow make pot safe, and it’s not the government’s job to incentivize risky behaviors for financial gain.

State Budget Appropriation Includes $7.5M for Medical Marijuana Program

Jan 26, 2021Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

The latest budget proposals at the Arkansas Legislature include $7.5 million to fund Arkansas’ medical marijuana program.

Medical marijuana sales in Arkansas don’t generate enough tax revenue to fund the program. As a result, the state is millions of dollars in the hole on marijuana.

Watch this video to learn more.

Legislature Proposes $7.5M for Marijuana Expenses in 2021-2022

Jan 25, 2021Jerry CoxLegislation, MarijuanaArkansas Legislature, Legislation, Marijuana

Earlier this month the Joint Budget Committee at the state legislature proposed two measures appropriating a total of $7,500,000 to pay for expenses from medical marijuana in Arkansas.

H.B. 1072 budgets $2.5 million for the Medical Marijuana Commission Fund to cover refunds, reimbursements, and contingency expenses.

H.B. 1106 budgets $5 million for the various state agencies responsible for implementing and regulating medical marijuana in Arkansas.

As we have written before, medical marijuana has cost Arkansas taxpayers millions of dollars.

Since May of 2019, the State of Arkansas has garnered approximately $21 million in marijuana tax revenue.

Of that money, only about $13 million has gone to the state to pay for the medical marijuana program’s expenses.

However, the state already has spent over $32 million on medical marijuana.

In Fiscal Year 2018 the Arkansas Legislature appropriated $5 million for the implementation of “medical” marijuana.

In Fiscal Year 2019 they appropriated another $5 million.

In Fiscal Year 2020 they passed two measures appropriating approximately $11.6 million total for the program.

And last year the legislature passed two measures budgeting more than $10.6 million for medical marijuana in 2021.

In other words, despite high marijuana sales, Arkansas taxpayers are still millions of dollars in the hole when it comes to medical marijuana.