Tag Archives: Virginia

Child Endangerment, Politics

Virginia Governor Youngkin vetoes cannabis parental rights bill

Cannabis advocates fight to prohibit parental pot use from being part of child protective services and custody agreements. NORML has long pushed for this legislation, but Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia saw right through this sham.  

On  March 8, the governor vetoed a bill that had the potential to prevent parent marijuana use from consideration in child protection, visitation and custody!  This is a win for child safety, keeping Virginia in line with the international treaties on the rights of children. Read Legal Drugs are Fashionable — and Treacherous for Children.

The governor should also veto a bill to commercialize marijuana.  Virginia legalized marijuana in 2021, but does not have recreational pot stores. We urge our followers in Virginia to send this form asking the governor to veto the bill. 

Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida recently commented on the negative aspects of a Florida ballot to legalize pot. He mentioned the failures of other states and horrendous smell from public smoking, but does not mention the dangers to children.  

His veto is important for many reasons

Virginia had two appalling instances of marijuana use affecting the ability to parent — recently.   In one case, the mother of a six-year-old lied about marijuana use on her gun ownership application.  The boy shot and severely wounded his 1st grade teacher, in an incident that made national news. Continue reading Virginia Governor Youngkin vetoes cannabis parental rights bill →

Child Endangerment

THC – enhanced edibles showing up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

THC-enhanced snacks found in gas stations and convenience stores have been sending teens to emergency rooms in the Shenandoah Valley.  

On close examination, the wrappers say 500 mg of THC. They mimic popular cereal products, including Fruity Pebbles, Cinnamon Crunch, Apple Jacks, Fruit Loops and Lucky Charms. Makers of these products know that sugary cereals and cartoon figures appeal to children. 

Vote carefully for candidates who care about children’s exposure to drugs

When the Virginia state legislature fast-tracked marijuana legalization earlier this year, no one expected the marijuana edibles to be selling a few months later. When Virginians vote for a new governor and state legislature in November, they need to be mindful of candidates’ attitudes for protecting kids from drugs.

No one knows how the products ended up in stores.  The pictures here come from in and around Roanoke, Virginia.

In advance of Halloween, warnings of these products should go out to all parents and to law enforcement.

Continue reading THC – enhanced edibles showing up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley →

Drug Policy

New York legalized marijuana in the most dangerous of ways

The late great state of New York

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law the most dangerous of marijuana legalization models possible last week.  Meanwhile, Governor Ralph Northam of Virginia signaled his support to push up marijuana legalization to July 1.  Both governors allow themselves to be pushed around and manipulated by activist groups like the Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, and the ACLU. 

The next day, a memo went out to New York City police.  The NYPD memo told cops that smoking marijuana in places such as sidewalks, on front stops, and other public places “is not a basis for an approach, stop, summons, arrest or, search.” 

A new study shows that secondhand marijuana smoke is more dangerous than tobacco smoke. Continue reading New York legalized marijuana in the most dangerous of ways →

Editorial

Pot Revenue for At-Risk Kids is a BAD idea

A version of this letter ran in the Richmond Times Dispatch

In Kathy Glazer of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s recent column, she mentions that the Virginia General Assembly is going to devote 40% of tax revenues from marijuana sales to fund pre-school services for “at risk” toddlers.

Parental drug use is one of the lifestyle choices that puts children at risk to begin with. Marijuana triggers mood disorders which impair parenting ability and often leads to child abuse. The drug is widely known for causing Amotivational syndrome which can lead to unemployability or job loss.

Marijuana is an addictive drug which is totally incompatible with child rearing responsibilities.

What if the parents of the children are buying the marijuana and not properly caring for the children because of it?  Parents Opposed to Pot is tracking news reports of marijuana-related cases of child abuse and neglect leading to death of a child. Just since Colorado legalized recreational pot we have found 250 such tragedies, around the nation.

Emergency rooms in pot legal states are reporting dramatic increases of child poisoning cases due to parents leaving marijuana edibles out and accessible to their young.

Marijuana in the home is encouraging more youth use. Kids are falling prey to early addiction both because of their adult role models and easy access. We need to stop trying to justify legalization for the tax revenues, especially in the case where the funds are directed toward at-risk youth. Instead, Virginia citizens and our political leaders need to closely examine the unintended consequences in the states that have already made the mistake of commercializing a mind-altering drug.

Marijuana legalization is a sure way to fracture more families and put more children at risk.

Submitted by: Parents Opposed to Pot