In a recent statement, the bishops of North Dakota voiced strong opposition to a proposed state ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana use.
They highlighted the potential harms of drug use, referencing both Church teachings and the societal impacts that could follow.
What Measure 5 Would Change
If Measure 5 passes, it would allow adults aged 21 and over to grow, sell, and use marijuana for recreational purposes.
However, similar initiatives were rejected by North Dakota voters in both 2018 and 2022.
In their statement issued on September 10, the bishops expressed their deep concerns about the potential consequences of legalizing recreational marijuana.
“We believe individuals, families, and communities will be significantly harmed if recreational marijuana is legalized in our state,” the bishops wrote, urging voters to oppose the measure.
Concerns Over Marijuana’s Physical and Mental Impact
Although cannabis remains illegal under federal law, 24 states have already legalized its recreational use, and it’s currently up for debate in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Florida.
The bishops stressed that marijuana is not as harmless as some may think.
They pointed to substantial evidence indicating that regular use can impair brain function, stunt development, harm the lungs, and weaken the immune system.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana use can hinder brain development in teenagers, affecting their thinking, memory, and learning.
The bishops also linked regular marijuana use to mental health issues, noting its association with depression, anxiety, and even suicide.
They emphasized the risk of addiction and warned that marijuana could serve as a gateway to more dangerous substances.
Church Teachings on Drug Use
Quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the bishops reiterated the Church’s stance that drug use causes “grave damage” to human life and health.
They emphasized that drugs should only be used for strictly therapeutic reasons and warned that the political community has a responsibility to protect families from dangers like drugs.
Pope Francis has also spoken against the legalization of recreational drugs, calling it an “illusion” that only leads to further substance abuse.
The bishops echoed this sentiment, pointing to other states that have experienced spikes in drug-related issues following legalization.
Citing Examples from Other States
The bishops drew attention to the societal problems that have emerged in states where recreational marijuana is legal, such as increased drug use, mental health challenges, and a rise in crime.
Colorado, for example, has faced significant issues since it legalized recreational marijuana in 2012.
Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila has described the effects as “disastrous to our society,” with notable increases in DUIs, emergency room visits, and workplace accidents linked to marijuana use.
A 2021 study on the impact of legalization in Colorado, conducted by Missouri Medicine, further highlighted the troubling rise in suicides, overdoses, and violence due to cannabis.
It also pointed out that tax revenues from marijuana sales made up less than 1% of the state’s budget, suggesting that the financial benefits of legalization have been minimal compared to the social costs.
A Cautionary Message
The bishops of North Dakota are urging voters to take these warnings seriously, pointing out that their counterparts in Minnesota issued similar concerns after marijuana was legalized there.
“Why would we ever want to go down this same path?” they asked.
The question now is whether North Dakota voters will heed these warnings or choose to follow the path of other states in legalizing recreational marijuana.