Up in smoke: Delaware Gov. John Carney was gutless to cave on marijuana legalization
Christopher Tremoglie
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Last week, another state genuflected to the societal decay known as marijuana legalization. Gov. John Carney (D-DE) stated that he would not challenge recent bills that passed his state’s House that legalized recreational marijuana use by adults in Delaware and permitted the establishment of a “state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry,” the Associated Press reported. It was a stunning reversal by Carney, who had previously vetoed marijuana legalization bills in the First State.
“I want to be clear that my views on this issue have not changed. And I understand there are those who share my views who will be disappointed in my decision not to veto this legislation. I came to this decision because I believe we’ve spent far too much time focused on this issue, when Delawareans face more serious and pressing concerns every day. It’s time to move on,” Carney said in a statement released last Friday.
THE CONCERNING AND DISTURBING LINK BETWEEN MARIJUANA USE, SHOOTINGS, MASS VIOLENCE
What a despicably gutless statement! His supposed views on the issues may not have changed, but his courage and conviction to challenge this societal ill certainly have. Marijuana has enjoyed a propagandized national marketing campaign for decades that has been hiding its risks and dangers. Carney’s collapse does nothing to improve society for people in Delaware. While caving to his state’s legislature, Carney left Delaware’s population vulnerable to the numerous dangerous health conditions associated with cannabis.
Consider research by the University of Ottawa that linked smoking marijuana to emphysema. Another study reported that marijuana poses significant risks when used by our country’s youth. For example, data indicate that the push to legalize marijuana has correlated with a rise in pediatric poisonings associated with ingesting products such as cannabis edibles that have become widely popular. Other data revealed that smoking marijuana led to an increase in asthma in teenagers. And other analyses have found links between marijuana, depression, and suicide.
Moreover, there are numerous other dangerous consequences of using marijuana. It can also lead to a decline in IQ scores when the drug is started at a young age. Additionally, cannabis can negatively affect cognitive abilities, motor skills, and athletic abilities, including people’s “timing, movement, and coordination.” Furthermore, using cannabis was linked to having relationship and interpersonal connection problems, lower career achievement, low life satisfaction, and poor academic performances and outcomes, according to research cited by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
And because of inaction by leaders like Carney, SAMHSA stated more people will use marijuana products than tobacco in 2030. Moreover, SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that, since 2009, there has been a nearly 75% increase in people who use cannabis.
Are these dangerous consequences not worth taking a stand on? The welfare and safety of children aren’t worth defending? Don’t our country’s leaders and politicians have any sense of pride in doing the right thing anymore?
Carney’s impotence on this issue mirrors the problems that now plague many of our nation’s politicians. His inability to maintain a principled stand against marijuana legalization legislation was spineless, cowardly, and, in my opinion, morally wrong.