By Rev. Mark Creech
Christian Action League
July 14, 2021
This is really important.
For several years there have been legislative initiatives to make medical marijuana legal in North Carolina. Each proposal has failed to gather enough steam to even get out of committee. This time, however, it’s different.
This year, a medical marijuana bill (SB 711 – N.C. Compassionate Care Act) was heard in a Senate Judiciary Committee and passed. The legislation must pass three other committees, get a thumbs-up on the Senate floor, go over to the House and pass there, and then be signed by the Governor before it can become law. The bill has a long way to go, but this measure has legs and is moving! It has me very concerned.
No matter what you’ve heard, smoked marijuana is not medicine. Yes, there is anecdotal evidence that marijuana has had a limited positive effect on people with various debilitating ailments. Nevertheless, whether it’s the American Cancer Society, the American Glaucoma Foundation, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Epilepsy Foundation, the American College of Physicians, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the American Academy of Psychiatry, or the American Medical Association, none endorses marijuana as medicine.
It’s impossible to judge for sure the motives of those behind this Republican-initiated proposal, whose champions are the powerful Senate Rules Chairman, Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick), and Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover). The Christian Action League’s lobbying activity also indicates several other Republicans seem to be on board. It’s uncharacteristic of Republicans in North Carolina to stand for something like this. It’s confusing, to say the least. But one thing is for sure; medical marijuana is a prelude to recreational marijuana.
Proponents say they don’t want recreational marijuana. Still, that’s the strategy used by groups like the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). This pro-pot organization had a representative speak at the Senate Judiciary Committee, who argued SB 711 needed to go further. If medical marijuana passes, such highly funded special interest groups will press lawmakers year after year to broaden access to marijuana until its fully legal.
Medical Marijuana is a Trojan Horse, a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” It’s the devil disguised as an “angel of light.”
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The popularity of medical marijuana is unquestionable. It’s so popular 37 states have legalized it, and some argue that to oppose it is like sandbagging a tsunami. “It’s inevitable,” they say. But I’m convinced very few evil things are “inevitable,” no matter how entrenched or how much momentum they have, whenever God’s people are willing to be fully engaged in prayer, advocacy, and action to stop it.
This is not about me. Nevertheless, I am imploring you not to send me up to battle alone to fight this legislation, ultimately placing our state under a haze of pot smoke. We need pastors, lay leaders, and other concerned Christian citizens to contact their state Senators right away and urge them to VOTE AGAINST SB 711 – N.C. Compassionate Care Act.
Would you please pass this alert along to your pastor, your Christian friends, anyone that you know who would oppose this misguided policy? With each passing day, science is telling us more about how significantly dangerous marijuana is to one’s overall health.
Again, smoked marijuana is not medicine!
CONSIDER CAREFULLY:
I AM CONVINCED ONE OF THE REASONS REPUBLICANS ARE STILL MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS MEASURE IS BECAUSE SENATE MEMBERS ARE NOT HEARING FROM ENOUGH VOICES OF OPPOSITION, ESPECIALLY SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES. I THINK THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THERE WILL BE SUFFICIENT OPPOSITION TO WARRANT ABANDONING THE BILL, AND IF NOT, THEY WILL KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
So, what should you do? Here are five steps you can take.
1. Please send your best gift to the Christian Action League to help us with this fight. CLICK HERE to make a secure online donation immediately.
To send your donation by mail, write:
Christian Action League of North Carolina, Inc.
6325 Falls of Neuse Rd.
Suite 35-106
Raleigh, NC 27615
2. If you don’t know who represents you in the N.C. Senate, CLICK HERE and follow the prompts. You will also find his/her contact information via the same link.
3. Send an email in your own words urging your state Senator to VOTE AGAINST SB 711 – N.C. Compassionate Care Act. (Be sure to tell him/her that you are one of their constituents.)
4. Follow-up your email with a phone call to your state Senator and reiterate what you said in your email. (Be sure to tell him/her that you are one of their constituents.)
5. Would you please pray earnestly for the defeat or failure of this legislation?
DON’T BE CYNICAL. TAKING THE ACTIONS ABOVE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
YOU CAN FIND SOME TALKING POINTS FOR YOUR EMAIL AND PHONE CALL BY CLICKING HERE.