James Lambert
Former 17 year marijuana addict urges Colorado, Wash. & Oregon voters to say No to recreational pot
By James Lambert
Not too long ago I was interviewed on Virginia radio station WINA regarding my commentary about a Calif. Pastor's reluctance to condemn a controversial state ballot measure, Proposition 19. (Prop. 19 was an effort by Northern California marijuana activists and pot users in 2010 to fully legalize the use and commercial development of recreational marijuana throughout the state).
When radio host Rob Shilling opened up his phone lines that morning, Chris called in to share the story of his past involvement with marijuana. He described a moving account about his own struggle with marijuana addiction that lasted for over 17 years.
Chris told the audience that "as a drug addict I was dependent on daily, multiple uses of pot. I missed many opportunities to mature by relying on marijuana to solve difficulties in my life as well as forfeiting my human potential. I would get high to divert any unpleasant thoughts and feelings of inadequacy and self doubt. Eventually, my frustrations would lead to more marijuana use, hence starting the endless cycle again and again... At the end of seventeen years of marijuana use, I wanted to die."
He went on by saying that during "the past twenty years, I have been healing my addicted personality and character by living life on its own terms, not my terms. This process has taken the power of years of intense effort to find the maturity that this powerful and insidious drug enabled me to deny."
Chris was happy to say he is now drug free but it came after enormous struggle. Chris concluded by urging state citizens to vote No on attempts to legalize recreational marijuana.
Currently there are 3 states: Colorado (initiative 502), Washington (Amendment 64) and Oregon (Measure 80) where there are ballot measures this November to legalize pot. Chris, just as many who have personally experienced the negative ramifications of pot use, urges voters in those states to say no to these legalization efforts. He also encourages Pastors and other Christians throughout these states to boldly declare their support against legalization.
Perhaps you have friends or relatives just like Chris. They also might have struggled or struggle with the drug that pot promoters say is 'not addictive.' Funny, but even the Office of Drug Control Policy informs us that there are over 1.23 million people who are currently in some sort of marijuana addiction counseling.
As for myself, I have had a number of friends who started their own downward cycle of drug abuse beginning with marijuana. What do these five have in common? They are now all dead from drugs. Tragedies like these have played out throughout the country. Hopefully the voters in Colorado, Washington and Oregon will realize that we cannot afford to make the mistake of saying yes to recreational marijuana. Chris understands the dangers of this drug too well especially after finally escaping his own addiction (to pot) which controlled his life for over 17 years.
More details of the negative consequences and ramifications of pot legalization can be found on: www.MarijuanaHarmsFamilies.com
© James Lambert
October 7, 2012
Not too long ago I was interviewed on Virginia radio station WINA regarding my commentary about a Calif. Pastor's reluctance to condemn a controversial state ballot measure, Proposition 19. (Prop. 19 was an effort by Northern California marijuana activists and pot users in 2010 to fully legalize the use and commercial development of recreational marijuana throughout the state).
When radio host Rob Shilling opened up his phone lines that morning, Chris called in to share the story of his past involvement with marijuana. He described a moving account about his own struggle with marijuana addiction that lasted for over 17 years.
Chris told the audience that "as a drug addict I was dependent on daily, multiple uses of pot. I missed many opportunities to mature by relying on marijuana to solve difficulties in my life as well as forfeiting my human potential. I would get high to divert any unpleasant thoughts and feelings of inadequacy and self doubt. Eventually, my frustrations would lead to more marijuana use, hence starting the endless cycle again and again... At the end of seventeen years of marijuana use, I wanted to die."
He went on by saying that during "the past twenty years, I have been healing my addicted personality and character by living life on its own terms, not my terms. This process has taken the power of years of intense effort to find the maturity that this powerful and insidious drug enabled me to deny."
Chris was happy to say he is now drug free but it came after enormous struggle. Chris concluded by urging state citizens to vote No on attempts to legalize recreational marijuana.
Currently there are 3 states: Colorado (initiative 502), Washington (Amendment 64) and Oregon (Measure 80) where there are ballot measures this November to legalize pot. Chris, just as many who have personally experienced the negative ramifications of pot use, urges voters in those states to say no to these legalization efforts. He also encourages Pastors and other Christians throughout these states to boldly declare their support against legalization.
Perhaps you have friends or relatives just like Chris. They also might have struggled or struggle with the drug that pot promoters say is 'not addictive.' Funny, but even the Office of Drug Control Policy informs us that there are over 1.23 million people who are currently in some sort of marijuana addiction counseling.
As for myself, I have had a number of friends who started their own downward cycle of drug abuse beginning with marijuana. What do these five have in common? They are now all dead from drugs. Tragedies like these have played out throughout the country. Hopefully the voters in Colorado, Washington and Oregon will realize that we cannot afford to make the mistake of saying yes to recreational marijuana. Chris understands the dangers of this drug too well especially after finally escaping his own addiction (to pot) which controlled his life for over 17 years.
More details of the negative consequences and ramifications of pot legalization can be found on: www.MarijuanaHarmsFamilies.com
© James Lambert
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