A story by NBC Washington News Thursday, October 20, reported on the tragic death of a 4-year-old boy from eating marijuana-infused gummies earlier this year.” The story goes on to say,
“Dr. Jill McCabe, a pediatric emergency room physician at Inova Loudoun Hospital, told News4 that any amount of THC can be problematic for children, and it’s a growing issue.
“THC gummies definitely in any quantity pose a risk to children. There are many reasons for that. One is that the packaging does not include any kind of a child-proof mechanism,” McCabe said. “They also look like candy and so they are something, when children come across them, most children are going to put that in their mouth and ingest it.”
The article went on to tell the story “of a Maryland parent who shared a cautionary tale with News4 in 2021 after her toddler unknowingly ate some marijuana edibles. She’s hoping to educate others about the risk of edible marijuana overdoses in young children.”
As a father and grandfather of seven grandchildren, my heart grieves for this mom and for every family who has been affected by a similar incident. I pray this will never happen to an Arkansas family, but it could. Everywhere recreational marijuana has been legalized, the negative impact on families and children has increased.
Beyond the harmful consequences documented in Colorado and other states where recreational marijuana has been legalized, proposed Marijuana Issue 4 to amend the Arkansas Constitution has at least 4 additional problematic issues, including:
- It would eliminate current restrictions on THC levels, and higher unrestricted levels in edibles will be dangerous for children.
- It would prohibit the Arkansas legislature from making future changes to any of its provisions.
- It opens the door for ownership in dispensaries by non-Arkansas residents without background checks.
- Its claims about benefits have been both deceptive and exaggerated.
Because we are called to love our neighbors and we believe this initiative is not good for our communities, families, and children, we unite with the growing number of churches and organizations who oppose Issue 4. We can all do our part by:
- Praying for the welfare and protection of our cities. (Matt. 6:10)
- Getting the facts and sharing with friends and neighbors about how this will affect our children (Heb. 5:14)
- Exercising our freedom to love our community by voting NO on Issue 4. (Gal. 5:13-14, Rom. 13:1-4,8)
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV)
