Nine times Senate leaders have seen through Big Marijuana’s big promises. They need to do it again.
(CONCORD, NH) – In response to a vote by the New Hampshire State House of Representatives to advance H.B.1633, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Action (SAM Action) President Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, released the following statement:
“Nine times the pot industry has tried to convince lawmakers that more drugs are a good thing for New Hampshire. Nine times legislators have seen through the lies because people don’t want more drugs in their communities. Governor Sununu’s own commission couldn’t reach a consensus on how to structure commercial sales of THC drugs and marijuana, because the idea is so risky and unpopular.
“Now, members of the State Senate must hold strong again and protect the public from dangerous high-potency drugs that are increasingly associated with depression, suicidality, IQ loss, psychosis and schizophrenia, especially for our young people.
“As the industry and their investors continue their campaign to create a system that maximizes profits at the expense of mental health and public safety, we will work tirelessly to educate legislators about the science and medical data that clearly demonstrates the dangers of these drugs.”
Dr. Sabet’s comments were echoed by former State Representative Susan Homola, the chair of SAM New Hampshire, who said: “New Hampshire’ s State Representatives have the opportunity to choose public health over industry profits. Legalization never lives up to its promises, and instead creates more addiction, undermines community health and safety, and leads to increased drug use among teens. Now is the time to choose wisely for Granite Staters.”