Marijuana – Page 116 – Family Council

Coalition Touts Widespread Opposition to Marijuana Issue 6

Nov 4, 2016Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

The following press release is from Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 4, 2016

On Friday Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana held a press conference regarding widespread opposition to marijuana ballot Issue 6.

The group identified thirty separate organizations and eighty-nine public officials who have come out against Issue 6. Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana noted that opposition to marijuana in Arkansas cuts across political party lines, industries, and professions.

Prominent opponents of Issue 6 identified by the group include Governor Asa Hutchinson; Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Greg Bledsoe; Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Arkansas Heart Hospital; the Arkansas Medical Society; the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families; Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation; and Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce.

Most of the organizations identified at the press conference are not members of Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana, but have issued statements in opposition to Issue 6.

Members of the executive committee of Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana issued statements at the press conference.

Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Randy Zook said, “The State Chamber is opposed to Issue 6 because it is promoting marijuana as medicine, which it is not. Further, using a vote of the people to make marijuana medicine is not the correct process. Issue 6’s anti-discrimination clauses will put employers in an unclear environment that will most certainly result in lawsuits, while reducing the safety and productivity of the workplace and available workforce.”

Bo Ryall, President and CEO of the Arkansas Hospital Association, said, “The Arkansas Hospital Association (AHA) opposes ballot Issue 6 on marijuana, and has joined the coalition Arkansans Against Legalized Marijuana. This ballot initiative is disguised as ‘medical marijuana,’ but ultimately allows the legalization of marijuana for recreational use. As an association of medical providers and employers, we oppose Issue 6.”

Family Council Action Committee President Jerry Cox said, “These so-called ‘medical marijuana’ ballot measures are nothing more than recreational marijuana masquerading as medicine. Anyone with pain or nausea can qualify to smoke marijuana without a prescription. Drug addiction will plague our children and grandchildren if so-called ‘medical marijuana’ becomes legal.”

Kevin Russell of Coalition for Safe Arkansas Communities said, “Marijuana Issue 6 is extremely dangerous because it’s the wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is a constitutional amendment that will be nearly impossible to change or place safeguards on to help protect our communities and children. It is financed by big industry backers looking to profit off of our most vulnerable and it is overseen by the Alcohol Beverage Control board, which has absolutely nothing to do with anything remotely medical.”

Larry Page with Arkansas Committee for Ethics Policy said, “Smoked and ingested marijuana is not legitimate medicine. If there are some valid medical applications for components of marijuana, then medical science needs to do the requisite research, extract those components, and develop bona fide medicine for which quality can be assured, dosages can be measured, prescriptions can be issued, and pharmacies can dispense. Get the science right — and then we can get the law right.”

Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation issued a statement, saying, “Farm Bureau’s current policy is against Issue 6 due to many reasons, such as the potential abuse the amendment would cause. Allowing ‘pain’ opens it up to basically recreational marijuana and this leads to additional stress to our communities, public safety, and government expense.”

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Thirty Groups, Eighty-Nine Public Officials Oppose Marijuana Issue 6

Nov 4, 2016Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

So far approximately 30 groups and 89 public officials have come out against “medical” marijuana proposal Issue 6. Opposition to the proposal is very widespread and cuts across party lines, professions, and industries. Opponents to the proposal range from policy experts to medical experts to child advocates.

Here are the 30 organizations opposing Issue 6:

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators
Arkansas Association of the Chiefs of Police
Arkansas Baptist State Convention
Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Arkansas Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Arkansas Committee for Ethics Policy
Arkansas Department of Health
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation
Arkansas Fraternal Order of Police
Arkansas Heart Hospital
Arkansas Hospital Association
Arkansas Medical Society
Arkansas Pharmacists Association
Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association
Arkansas Realtors Association
Arkansas School Nurses Association
Arkansas Society of Human Resource Managers
Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
Associated Industries of Arkansas
Coalition for Safe Arkansas Communities
Elks Lodge of Arkansas
Families First Action Committee
Family Council Action Committee
Family Physician Association
Human Resource Management Association of Arkansas
Landlords Association of Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Science

Here are the 89 public officials opposing Issue 6:

Governor Asa Hutchinson
Governor Tim Griffin
Attorney General Leslie Rutledge
Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Greg Bledsoe
Arkansas Department of Health Director Dr. Nathaniel Smith
Senator Alan Clark (R – Lonsdale)
Senator Bart Hester (R – Cave Springs)
Senator Blake Johnson (R – Corning)
Senator Bruce Maloch (D –Magnolia)
Senator Cecile Bledsoe (R – Rogers)
Senator David Burnett (D- Osceola)
Senator David Sanders (R – Little Rock)
Senator Eddie Cheatham (D – Crossett)
Senator Eddie Joe Williams (R – Cabot)
Senator Gary Stubblefield (R – Branch)
Senator Greg Standridge (R – Russellville)
Senator Jake Files (R – Fort Smith)
Senator Jane English (R – North Little Rock)
Senator Jason Rapert (R – Conway)
Senator Jeremy Hutchinson (R – Benton)
Senator Jim Hendren (R – Gravette)
Senator Jimmy Hickey (R – Texarkana)
Senator John Cooper (R – Jonesboro)
Senator Jonathan Dismang (R – Beebe)
Senator Larry Teague (D – Nashville)
Senator Linda Collins-Smith (R – Pocahontas)
Senator Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View)
Senator Ron Caldwell (R – Wynne)
Senator Scott Flippo (R – Mountain Home)
Senator Terry Rice (R – Waldron)
Senator Uvalde Lindsey (D – Fayetteville)
Andy Davis (R – Little Rock)
Bob Ballinger (R – Hindsville)
Brandt Smith (R – Jonesboro)
Brent Talley (D – McCaskill)
Bruce Cozart (R – Hot Springs)
Charlene Fite (R – Van Buren)
Charles Armstrong (D – Little Rock)
Charlie Collins (R – Fayetteville)
Charlotte Vining Douglas (R – Alma)
Dan Douglas (R – Bentonville)
Dan Sullivan (R – Jonesboro)
Dave Wallace (R – Leachville)
David Branscum (R – Marshall)
David Meeks (D – Conway)
Deborah Ferguson (D – West Memphis)
Donnie Copeland (R – North Little Rock)
Douglas House (R – North Little Rock)
Gary Deffenbaugh (R – Van Buren)
Grant Hodges (R – Rogers)
James Ratliff (D – Imboden)
James Sturch (R – Batesville)
Jana Della Rosa (R – Rogers)
Jeremy Gillam (R – Judsonia)
Jim Dotson (R – Bentonville)
Joe Farrer (R – Austin)
Joe Jett (D – Success)
John Baine (D – El Dorado)
John Payton (R – Wilburn)
Josh Miller (R – Heber Springs)
Julie Mayberry (R – Hensley)
Justin Gonzales (R – Okolona)
Justin Harris (R – West Fork)
Karilyn Brown (R – Sherwood)
Ken Bragg (R – Sheridan)
Kim Hammer (R – Benton)
Kim Hendren (R – Gravette)
Lance Eads (R – Springdale)
Lane Jean (R – Magnolia)
Lanny Fite (R – Benton)
Laurie Rushing (R – Hot Springs)
Les Eaves (R – Searcy)
Marcus Richmond (R – Harvey)
Mark Lowery (R – Maumelle)
Mary Bentley (R – Perryville)
Michelle Gray (R – Melbourne)
Mickey Gates (R – Hot Springs)
Monte Hodges (D – Blytheville)
Nate Bell (I – Mena)
Nelda Speaks (R – Mountain Home)
Prissy Hickerson (R – Texarkana)
Rebecca Petty (R – Rogers)
Richard Womack (R – Arkadelphia)
Robin Lundstrum (R – Springdale)
Ron McNair (R – Alpena)
Stephen Meeks (R – Greenbrier)
Steve Magie, M.D. (D – Conway)
Tim Lemons (R – Cabot)
Rep. Trevor Drown (R – Dover)

Driver Admits He Was High During Fatal Crash

Nov 3, 2016Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

According to news reports, a 21-year-old Utah man has admitted he was high on marijuana when he caused a fatal accident last April.

The driver reportedly crashed into a motorcyclist. Its rider died from his injuries two days later.

Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident. Marijuana has caused and contributed to many deaths and injuries in recent years. For example:

September, 2016: Schoolchildren in Utah became sick and were hospitalized after eating brownies laced with marijuana. The children reportedly acquired the brownies from a student at school.
September, 2016: An Alabama woman was arrested for giving marijuana-laced brownies to a teen girl. The girl reportedly became ill and was taken to the emergency room for treatment.
August, 2016: A Minnesota man crashed his pickup truck into a tree, killing himself and two passengers. According to police, the driver had elevated levels of THC, marijuana’s active ingredient, in his system at the time of the crash.
August, 2016: A Connecticut man crashed his vehicle into a police cruiser after smoking marijuana. The driver reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana two hours before the crash; had marijuana in his possession; and failed a field sobriety test.
August, 2016: Two dozen people were hospitalized in Ohio after accidentally ingesting large amounts of candy laced with marijuana at a musical festival. The candy was reportedly labeled “Prescribed Medibles by Dr. Greenbuds,” which would seem to indicate the candy was originally intended for “medical use.” Health professionals initially believed concertgoers had overdosed on opioids, but later realized the candies contained high levels of marijuana’s active ingredient, THC.
August, 2016: Nineteen people were hospitalized after accidentally ingesting gummy candy laced with marijuana at a birthday party in California. They suffered adverse reactions including rapid heart rates, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, lethargy, and confusion.
July, 2016: A 5-year-old Oregon girl was hospitalized after eating candy laced with marijuana. According to officials, the girl experienced hallucinations and an elevated heart rate. Local police issued a press release, saying, “As many of these edibles come in the form of cookies, brownies, and candy, children are naturally drawn to them. However the small size of children, and the usually higher/concentrated THC levels found in the edibles can easily lead to overdoses by children and adults.”
July, 2016: A Massachusetts teen called 911 after his friend began reacting negatively to marijuana-laced candy. Authorities say the pair had eaten marijuana-laced candy that appeared to have come from a medical-marijuana supplier. The two teens reportedly were sent to the hospital.
July, 2016: Police in Arizona arrested a mother for allegedly giving her 11- and 12-year-old children gummy candy infused with marijuana. Police say the marijuana-infused candy was originally purchased by an Arizona medical marijuana user, but was illegally transferred to the mother in question.
July, 2016: Two California teens were hospitalized after eating a marijuana-laced cookie. The teens reported purchasing the cookie from a third teenager who was subsequently arrested.
July, 2016: A Wisconsin teen admitted to using marijuana shortly before his vehicle missed a stop sign and collided with an SUV. The crash killed two people and put a third in the ICU.
July, 2016: A California man was arrested for giving candy laced with marijuana to a 6-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy; the 6-year-old was hospitalized for marijuana poisoning.
June, 2016: A Pennsylvania driver with marijuana in his system caused an accident that injured a one-year-old child. The child, who was a passenger in the car when it crashed, is expected to suffer long-term neurological complications as a result of head trauma from the crash.
June, 2016: Authorities in Arizona believe the woman who caused a deadly crash was driving under the influence of marijuana. Court documents reveal the woman was driving at least 75 MPH in a 40 MPH zone when she crossed the center line, plowing into an oncoming vehicle and killing a man and his daughter.
May, 2016: A Washington man pleaded guilty to giving his 4-year-old daughter a piece of chocolate cake infused with marijuana. The man reportedly went to his daughter’s daycare, where he gave her the cake. The girl later became “extremely lethargic,” and was taken to a local hospital, where she tested positive for THC–the main, active ingredient in marijuana.
May, 2016: Hospitals in Colorado reported a spike in the number of newborns born with marijuana in their systems.
May, 2016: Several churchgoers were sent to the ER after accidentally eating marijuana-infused cookies following church services.
May, 2016: A 7-year-old boy in Washington was paralyzed by a car accident involving a teen believed to be driving under the influence of Marijuana.
April, 2016: A twenty-four year old man and two teenage girls were hospitalized after eating gummy candies containing high levels of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. One of the girls was even admitted to the ICU. According to investigators, each gummy candy contained 450 Mg of THC, and the three victims experienced negative reactions that included seizures, hallucinations, and vomiting. By contrast, 10 Mg of THC is considered a “standard serving size” for a marijuana edible.
April, 2016: A Utah man was charged with driving under the influence of marijuana following a fatal car crash.
April, 2016: A Georgia woman was arrested after her five year old said he ate a marijuana cake for breakfast. The child was taken to the hospital for treatment following the incident; according to officials, his pulse was measured at over 200 beats per minute. According to the child’s mother, the cake laced with marijuana was given to her by another person.
February, 2016: An eight-year-old Oregon boy was taken to the hospital after eating a marijuana-infused cookie he found. The cookie was sealed and labeled that it contained approximately 50 milligrams of THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
February, 2016: A Pennsylvania driver involved in an accident that severely injured a pedestrian tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
December, 2015: A Michigan driver collided with a horse-drawn buggy, killing a pregnant Amish woman and injuring her other children who were in the buggy with her. Records indicate the driver had THC, the main ingredient in marijuana, in his system at the time of the crash.
October, 2015: A 27-year-old Oregon man admitted to using marijuana shortly before he struck and killed a female pedestrian.
August, 2015: An Indiana woman who tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, crossed the median, striking another car head-on and killing its driver.
August, 2015: A Michigan man drove his car off the road, crashing it into a tree and killing his girlfriend who was a passenger in the vehicle. Officials initially believed the driver was drunk, but later determined the driver had THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, in his system.
August, 2015: A New York man crashed into a motorcycle carrying two riders; both riders died at the scene of the accident. According to court testimony, the driver admitted to smoking marijuana twice on the morning of the crash.
June, 2015: A California man involved in a fatal crash tested positive for elevated levels of THC, according to police. The crash killed one woman and injured five other people. Police said the driver was at a local medical marijuana dispensary prior to the crash, that marijuana was found in his car, and that the driver admitted to smoking marijuana at the dispensary before the accident.
May, 2015: An Indiana man who officials say tested positive for THC was involved in a head-on collision that resulted in the death of another driver.
March, 2015: Four high school students were hospitalized after eating brownies laced with marijuana hash oil. One student was actually found unresponsive in a school bathroom after eating a marijuana-laced brownie.
March, 2015: A Virginia man driving under the influence of marijuana collided with an oncoming train, killing a three-year-old child riding in his car, and injuring two other children.
February, 2015: A 20-month-old Canadian toddler overdosed after eating a marijuana-laced cookie authorities say his father baked. The child survived, but suffered seizures and had to be admitted to a hospital.
January, 2015: News outlets in Oregon reported a woman overdosed after she ate three gummy candies laced with marijuana.
December, 2014: Oklahoma authorities reported a man with marijuana both in his system and on his person drove into oncoming traffic, crashing into another vehicle and killing its driver.
December, 2014: A high school teacher in Maryland was hospitalized after a student gave her a brownie containing marijuana.
December, 2014: Two middle school students in Oklahoma were rushed to the hospital after one of them reportedly passed out following marijuana-use at school.
November, 2014: A Connecticut teen was taken to the hospital from school after she started having difficulty breathing following ingestion of a marijuana-laced gummy bear.
October, 2014: Officials say a Washington woman with high levels of THC in her system sped through a stoplight at high speed before broadsiding another car and killing its driver.
June, 2014: According to The Aspen Times, a seven-year-old girl was taken to the hospital after eating marijuana-laced candy her mother brought home from work at an area hotel. The candy was left by a hotel guest–presumably as a tip.
May, 2014: A Utah man driving under the influence of marijuana crashed into another vehicle, severely injuring a teenage girl and her 30-year-old cousin. The driver was sentenced to up to 5 years in prison.
March, 2014: A California man driving at high speeds under the influence of marijuana ran a red light before losing control of his car and striking another vehicle, killing its driver.
March, 2014: A 19-year-old college student jumped to his death after eating a marijuana-laced cookie purchased at a licensed marijuana store in Colorado. Reports indicate the man began shaking, screaming, and throwing objects in his hotel room after eating the marijuana “edible.” He ultimately jumped over the fourth-floor railing, into the lobby of the hotel at which he was staying. According to CBS News, the autopsy report listed marijuana as a “significant contributing factor” to his death.
December, 2013: An Illinois driver reportedly was traveling at a high speed and ran at least one red light before losing control of his vehicle, taking the life of a passenger. Police found marijuana-related items in the vehicle following the accident. The driver reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the day and tested positive for THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
December, 2013: A two-year-old in Colorado overdosed and was hospitalized after eating a cookie laced with marijuana. News outlets indicate the girl found the cookie in the yard of an apartment complex.