We are now only a little over a month away from November 5, Concerned Women for America of North Dakota finds Initiative Statutory Measure 5 important! 
 
Simply put, Initiative Statutory Measure 5 allows the production and sale of cannabis and the possession and use of various forms of cannabis by individuals 21 years of age and older.
 
This is what you will see on your ballot:
“The initiated measure would create a new chapter of the North Dakota Century Code. It would allow for the production, processing, and sale of cannabis and the possession and use of various forms of cannabis by individuals who are 21 years of age and older; direct a state entity to regulate and register adult use cannabis production businesses, dispensaries, and their agents; provide protections for individuals who are 21 years of age or older who use cannabis; provide penalties for violations of the chapter; preserve certain employer rights regarding use of cannabis products by employees; supersede local ordinances that otherwise would prohibit the purchase, sale, use, delivery, or growing of cannabis by or to individuals 21 years of age or older; and provide that fees must be appropriated for administration of this chapter.
 
“The estimated fiscal impact of this measure includes revenues of $10,227,600, expenses of $8,324,275, and an undetermined amount of additional costs associated with behavioral health and social impacts for the 2025-2027 biennium.”
 
How will you vote?

• A “YES” vote will make recreational marijuana legal for use, production, and sale for adults 21 years of age and older.
• A “No” vote will keep the legal use of marijuana for medical purposes only.

What do Colorado statistics show us about marijuana’s impact since its legalization in 2014?
Below are some highlights from the National Library of Medicine (the most extensive US federal-run medical library) concerning The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado:  The Impact.

• Traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana more than doubled from 55 in 2013 to 115 people killed in 2018.  This equates to one person killed every three days in 2018 compared to one person killed every 6½ days in 2013.
• The yearly number of marijuana-related hospitalizations increased by 101 percent (2013 compared to 2017).
• The percentage of suicide incidents in which toxicology results were positive for marijuana has increased from 14 percent in 2013 to 23 percent in 2017.
• A new study backed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that 30% of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21-30 are linked to cannabis addiction.
• 30% of people who use marijuana suffer from marijuana use disorder.

Pray: Ask the Lord to give wisdom to North Dakota voters.
 
Take Action:

• Decide now if you will give this measure a “YES” or a “NO” vote.
• Forward this email to others who may find it helpful.
• Vote!

In His service,
 
Linda Thorson
State Director