NORTH DAKOTA WISELY REJECTS MEASURE 5, DODGING DANGEROUS THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY

Residents See Through Addiction Industry’s Latest Bid to Inject More Drugs into the State

(BISMARCK, ND) – Dr. Kevin Sabet, President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), released the following statement today commending North Dakota voters for wisely rejecting Measure 5, which would have legalized so-called ‘recreational’ marijuana in the Peace Garden State:

“For a third time, North Dakotans have said ‘no’ to Big Marijuana and the addiction industry because they know injecting more drugs into communities doesn’t improve health or public safety. Voters continue to send a clear, decisive message that public health, science, and common-sense should come before industry profits.

“Despite being outspent, our coalition worked hard to educate voters on the harms of legalization and the dangers of today’s THC drugs. It’s become increasingly clear that the state’s so-called ‘medical marijuana’ program was simply the industry’s way of getting a foothold in the state so that they could then create a full-scale THC drug market. Today, voters affirmed their long-held opposition to this scheme.

“I cannot thank all our supporters enough for their hard work and dedication to public health and safety. I also want to acknowledge and thank the many doctors, faith leaders, law enforcement groups, parents, and public health officials who expressed their opposition to legalization.”