I was driving through Noble County, Indiana when I noticed a PUFF Cannabis Company billboard along SR6, east of Wawaka, that read: “Come Get High in Sturgis Michigan”
Additionally, a family member received a coupon in the mail from another cannabis dispensary in Michigan offering a discount to be redeemed by 4/20 (420 is a common reference to the cannabis culture).
These are not isolated incidents. Michigan cannabis dispensaries advertise within Indiana counties near the border, despite the illegality of cannabis in Indiana.
Thankfully, legislative efforts are being considered to address this growing issue.
State Senator Spencer Deery (R–District 23) introduced Senate Bill 166 this year, proposing a comprehensive ban on cannabis advertising within Indiana.
State Representative Joanna King (R–District 49) introduced related legislation, House Bill 1026, prohibiting cannabis advertisements within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, and playgrounds with civil penalties and fines associated with infractions.
Both bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce and Technology, chaired by Senator Brian Buchanan (R–Lebanon). Whether these bills will be heard in committee depends solely upon his discretion.
Why should this issue matter to Indiana citizens?
Cannabis use carries real consequences. Research suggests associations between cannabis use—especially among young people—and cognitive decline, reduced motivation, increased risk of psychosis, depression, and anxiety.
Michigan cannabis dispensaries know many out-of-state customers are likely to return with the product and consume it in Indiana regardless of customer assurances to the contrary.
Drivers under the influence of cannabis returning from Michigan endanger other drivers.
Unlike alcohol, cannabis is fat-soluble. Its impairing effects last significantly longer. This makes it harder for law enforcement to assess impairment.
Cannabis is a gateway drug, often the first drug that individuals experiment with before moving onto harder substances. It is often found alongside harder drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine in drug raids.
There are other financial and social consequences.
Cannabis is not cheap. For families already under financial stress, drug use diverts resources from children’s needs.
During two years of volunteer ministry at a local jail, I recall a young father in a lucid moment expressing tearful regret over money he spent on drugs while the child went without his needs. Undoubtedly, many others share the same guilt silently.
Children deserve morally upright, sober, engaged parents who invest quality time and energy in them.
On a personal level, I urge those who use cannabis to reflect: Am I using cannabis as a substitute for a purposeful life of true joy and fulfillment?
I believe many vainly attempt to fill their spiritual void from a life without a relationship with Jesus Christ by means like cannabis use.
The human heart a perpetual factory of idols, as theologian John Calvin said. Drugs can become an idol, too.
Some argue alcohol and prescription painkillers cause similar harm as cannabis.
I agree. I don’t support the reckless use of alcohol and prescription painkillers either.
Like opioids, cannabis has some legitimate medical uses under strict physician supervision. Marinol, used to stimulate appetite in palliative care, is an example.
Recreational use is another matter entirely.
I am deeply concerned about the direction of our state.
A permissive stance on recreational cannabis is linked with broader leftist policies that have brought increasing addiction rates, unemployment, and homelessness to West Coast cities like San Francisco California, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.
Indiana must not follow their path.
If you share my concerns, I urge you to contact your state senator and representative. You can find their contact information here. Ask them to support the more comprehensive bill, SB 166, to ban cannabis advertising.
Email Senator Brian Buchanan (senator.buchanan@iga.in.gov) and ask him to give SB 166 a fair hearing in committee.
Let your voice be heard before others speak for you.
For those who might accuse me of judging others, realize that I acknowledge that I am susceptible to the same temptations as other people. I was injured in a serious automobile accident and had a battle with prescription painkillers. I was under physician supervision, though, and eventually my physician weaned me from the painkillers. Those who have access to purchase cannabis don’t have the same safeguards.
Others will claim that morality should not be legislated. The laws of the nation are primarily about morality….someone’s morality. This is a bogus claim.
Finally, billboard owners and cannabis dispensaries should reconsider the negative impact of cannabis advertising upon our local community.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Indiana General Assembly passed legislation which includes a ban on out-of-state cannabis advertising after current leases expire. However, cannabis companies in Michigan are still advertising in Indiana. I suspect they renewed their leases for a long time. I wish that those who rent billboard space had more scruples and cared about the Indiana populace.
RELATED CONTENT
State Senator Spencer Deery (R–District 23) introduced Senate Bill 166 this year, proposing a comprehensive ban on cannabis advertising within Indiana. He is interviewed on the bill by WSBT-TV.
Kevin Sabet, author of “Reefer Sanity: Seven Great Myths About Marijuana”, dispels the claims that cannabis is not dangerous in a brief interview with Heritage Foundation (first video) and a longer presentation (second video). Sabet addresses both the positive and negative aspects of cannabis in the longer presentation.
Many Democrat-run “progressive” cities which started with lax laws on recreational cannabis use are havens for drug abusers now. These include San Francisco (CA), Los Angeles (CA), Portland (OR), Minneapolis (MN) and Seattle (WA). These videos expose some of the the consequences of lax attitudes towards drug abuse and prosecution of offenders.
Some would claim that I am using the “slippery slope” form of argumentation but I think it is very instructive to see where the logical end of the Democrat or Libertarian worldview leads to.
Concerning the Related Content section, I encourage everyone to evaluate the content carefully.
If I have listed the content, I think it is worthwhile viewing to educate yourself on the topic, but it may contain coarse language or some opinions I don’t agree with.
Feel free to offer your comments below. Respectful comments without expletives and personal attacks will be posted and I will respond to them.
Comments are closed after sixty days due to spamming issues from internet bots.
You can always send me an email at rob@christiannewsjunkie.com if you want to comment on something afterwards, though.
If you have evidence that I am wrong about a material statement of fact, provide the evidence and I will gladly review it and make revisions if merited. Obviously, there are some assertions that are matters of opinion that I will not change, but I always strive to be truthful.
I will continue to add videos and other items to the Related Content section as opportunities present themselves.
I recommend these Youtube channels and commentators for good content on politics and news from a Christian and/or conservative worldview: Albert Mohler, Allie Beth Stuckey, Bill O’Reilly, CBN News, Hugh Hewitt, John Anderson Media (Australia), Nick Freitas, Ruthless Podcast (language warning), Scott Jennings, The Hot Zone with Chuck Holton, Vince Dao, and Verdict with Ted Cruz.
For livestreaming of political protests and riots by conservative commentators, check out Nate Friedman, Cam Higby, James Klug, and Nick Shirley. I don’t agree with the perspectives of all these commentators and the language of protesters is often obscene. Most news outlets will not cover these illegal assemblies, though, because it doesn’t promote their narrative.
Depictions of Jesus Christ are used in some illustrations. I realize that some including conservative Presbyterians consider this to be idolatry. I respectfully disagree with their position on this matter as the commandment forbids worshiping such depictions, and I do not worship these illustrations.