The official votes are in and the verdict is the majority of people do not want marijuana in their community. Contrary to what the high paid lobbyists would want you to believe and promote, or survey data shared from a paid survey center might suggest, the majority of citizens in small New Hampshire communities do not want the business of marijuana in their rural settings.

In a historic vote, perhaps by the first town in the state of NH to have it on a ballot, the voters of Raymond NH have spoken. Votes are in favor of restricting “activities related to marijuana and marijuana-based product which would include commercial marijuana cultivation, marijuana testing facilities, marijuana product manufacturing, marijuana retailers, on-site marijuana consumption at a business location, and any other marijuana-related activity for commercial purposes.”

In an effort led by the Raymond Coalition For Youth, a nonprofit organization that works to promote safe and healthy choices for youth, two warrant articles were on the town ballot this March. Both designed in an effort to promote public health and safety. One a zoning amendment to restrict a business from using the marijuana plant or its likeness on a sign to promote their business. The second to restrict business activities related to marijuana and marijuana-based products. You can learn more about them both at www.rcfy.org

Substance misuse prevention is simple, when you reduce access to a substance and increase awareness to the dangers and risks associated with it, in this case marijuana, you ultimately reduce use. The Raymond Coalition For Youth (RCFY) started in 2002 to promote positive healthy choices for youth. A positive outcome of these efforts is that in the past eighteen years, youth marijuana use has dropped from 29% to 21%.

There is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion associated with today’s marijuana. Many of the adults a child would turn to for answers such as their parents, grandparents, teachers, or even doctors, are unaware of how to answer their questions. Simply put marijuana is a substance that comes with harmful risks and dangers and is not a regulated medicine prescribed by a doctor.

RCFY has worked with Drug Free Community prevention coalition partners located throughout the state of New Hampshire on a campaign to help raise awareness to Why You Should Care about this. The big business of marijuana has lots of money to promote their business product, which some refer to as the “addiction for profit” business. Together we need to stand up and raise awareness to the facts. Marijuana is associated with a lot of health risks and consequences. Today’s marijuana plant can produce THC levels from 20% – 95%. THC is the active ingredient that produces a high and in some cases even mental psychosis. Much different from the marijuana from the 1970’s and 1980s when the average THC level in a paper rolled joint was 3 – 5%. the forms to use the drug are much different and include oils, shatter, edibles made to look like tasty treats, lotions and more. The impact is not only harmful to humans, veterinarians have reported an increase in pet poisonings and growing the plants has lasting impacts on our environment and ecosystems.

In states like Colorado and California that have legalized marijuana, the majority of the communities have opted out of having sales in their communities. This happens because not everyone wants to have this drug in their community. Now the people here in New Hampshire have spoken, and the majority have said no to the business of marijuana related business in the community of Raymond New Hampshire.

Thank you to everyone who voted for public health and safety, and for putting our youth and the rural character of our communities before money and misinformation.