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A recent bid to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida was unsuccessful, with North Dakota and South Dakota voters also rejecting similar measures, according to general election projections. The Catholic bishops in these states had advised their communities to vote against such propositions, citing concerns about the physical, behavioral, and social dangers associated with marijuana use.
Meanwhile, Nebraska voters appeared to have overwhelmingly approved the legalization of medical marijuana, with projections showing over 70% support. This development brings the number of U.S. states permitting medical marijuana to 48, alongside the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories: Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Had Florida's measure passed, it would have become the 25th state to permit recreational marijuana use. In Massachusetts, voters turned down a proposal to legalize five psychedelic drugs and establish a "Natural Psychedelic Substances Commission." The Massachusetts Catholic Conference opposed this initiative due to concerns about altered perceptions of reality and potential mental health issues.
Catholic conferences in Florida and North Dakota cited church teachings that emphasize the harmful effects of drug use on human health. They expressed concern over the high THC levels in modern cannabis products and their impact on young users whose brains are still developing.
The North Dakota Catholic Conference highlighted evidence suggesting regular marijuana use can impair brain function and damage lung health. Similarly, the South Dakota Catholic Conference warned about links between legalized marijuana and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Research from institutions like the Copenhagen Research Center for Mental Health has found connections between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia in young males. Concerns were raised about increased fatal accidents from intoxicated driving following legalization efforts.
Bishops in both Dakotas pointed out negative experiences from states like Colorado where recreational marijuana has been legalized since 2012. Archbishop Samuel Aquila of Denver previously characterized its impact as "disastrous" in a pastoral letter last December.
Gina Christian reports for OSV News. Follow her updates on X (formerly Twitter) @GinaJesseReina.
