Governor’s Veto Puts Public Health Over Corporate Greed
(RICHMOND, VA) – Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) President Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D., a former three-time White House drug policy advisor, released the following statement today in response to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s veto of legislation that would have allowed commercial sales of high-potency THC drugs and marijuana in Virginia:
“Governor Youngkin deserves tremendous praise. For the second year in a row, Governor Youngkin has put the health and safety of Virginians above industry profit. His veto is a victory for all Virginians, especially the Commonwealth’s young people and those who suffer from substance use disorders.
“Unlike members of the legislature who bought the addiction industry’s nonsense that more drugs would be beneficial for communities, Governor Youngkin clearly understands that this legislation is dangerous. Governor Youngkin knows medical and scientific data show today’s high-potency THC drug products are associated with IQ loss, psychosis, degradation of motor skills, depression, suicide, and schizophrenia, especially among young people.
“Pot profiteers’ empty promises of revenue and social justice have fallen flat across the country. The same would have been true here in Virginia. Thankfully, Governor Youngkin heeded the advice of medical and health professionals, parents, law enforcement, and those working on the front lines of the addiction crisis by rejecting the legislature’s desire to inject more drugs into the state.
“We applaud Governor Youngkin for standing up to the addiction industry by again vetoing this dangerous proposal. Virginia is for lovers, not pot shops on every corner.”
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