Benton County Republican Women Stand Against the Recreational Marijuana Ballot Initiative
The following is a press release dated Tuesday, December 17, from the Benton County Republican Women.
Republican Women Ask Voters Not to Sign Petitions for Legalizing Pot
[Benton
County, Arkansas, December 17, 2019] The members of Benton
County Republican Women (BCRW) have voted to stand against the effort to put a
recreational marijuana issue on the 2020 general election ballot. Quite simply,
we say “Just don’t sign!” We care deeply about the health and safety of our
residents, the employers who operate here, our environment, and our quality of
life.
“The best way to fight legalized recreational marijuana is to refuse to sign
the petition to put it on the ballot. We are asking Arkansans to spread that
message,” said Rebecca Hedges, President of Benton County Republican Women.
“Recreational marijuana has created devastating public health and safety risks
for the states that legalized it. We don’t need that in Arkansas.”
Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and the District of Columbia (Washington
DC) have legalized recreational marijuana use over the last several years.
Studies in those states show this is raising insurance costs and tax burden,
destroying the futures of their young people, and increasing drugged-driving
fatalities. These states have seen an increase in property crime as well as
violent crime. The death rate of users is four times higher than non-users. In
Colorado, they found that for every dollar gained in tax revenue, Coloradans
spend approximately $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization. On so many
levels, legalizing marijuana is a losing proposition.
Dianna Lankford, a BCRW member who serves as a 3rd District Director for the
Arkansas Federation of Republican Women stated, “Legalizing recreational
marijuana will be devasting to this generation and generations to come. In
Colorado, within just five years of legalizing recreational marijuana, it is
the number one state in the country for youth drug use. That is a sobering
fact, isn’t it?”
The new marijuana industry (often referred to as “Big Marijuana”) is keenly
focused on marketing to manipulate teens. The industry wants to ensure they
become lifelong customers. They are putting staggering amounts of money behind
these aggressive ballot initiatives and lobbying activities.
“Our hearts weigh heavy with concern for our young people,” said Melanie
Elliott, BCRW immediate past president. “Teen users are seven times more likely
to attempt suicide. One in six teens who try marijuana will become addicted.
Responsible Arkansans care about the future of our young people and our state.
The industries who benefit from making money from us do not. They only care
about selling pot and creating addicts. This ballot initiative is irresponsible
and reckless. Just don’t sign the petition.”
As an organization, Benton County Republican Women is joining the fight against
Big Marijuana and their devastating ballot initiative. We won’t allow them to
degrade the health and safety of our people and destroy our strong economy that
depends on a safe and unimpaired workforce.
Join our mission. Visit www.bentoncountyrepublicanwomen.org. Resources
for more information and speakers to present to your church, company,
organization, or civic club are available from An American Speaks, www.anamericanspeaks.com. Additional resources
are available at Americans Against Legalized Marijuana, http://aalm.info/.
Other experts available to contact for quotes:
Toni Rose, An American Speaks, Cofounder, toni@anamericanspeaks.com,
501-725-0219
Mike Bishop, An American Speaks, Cofounder, Mikebishop56@yahoo.com, 501-725-0219
Senator Cecile Bledsoe, cecile.bledsoe@yahoo.com,
479-685-5394
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