The YMCA of Christchurch has made a public statement on the cannabis referendum.

CEO Josie Ogden Schroeder said “as an organisation we hold in our mission, purpose and cause a responsibility to sometimes speak up about issues that we believe could impact significantly on children, young people, families and our community more broadly. “

“Senior staff and governing trustees of this organisation do not wish to cast judgment on the lifestyle choices of others. Indeed it is clear that amongst us we hold different views about the referendum and what the impacts of legalisation could be on individual users aged 20 or over.”

“However, as a group of people tasked with the leadership of an organisation that states its cause as “investing in the next generation” we were in agreement: The next generation of New Zealanders will not be served well by a move that will make cannabis more available to young people.”

Josie Ogden Schroeder said the crux of their concern rests on the view that legalisation will cause harm to young people, now and inter-generationally.

“We believe legalisation will cause a significant cultural shift in our communities and the legalisation will make cannabis more accessible and more normalised, and that this will lead to less consideration, by young people, of the damage of using cannabis on their brain development, mental health, physical health and futures.”

Josie Ogden Schroeder said they’re very concerned that pro-legalisation lobbyists around the world have a financial motivation to ensure cannabis is sold commercially.

“There is concern that cannabis will cause harm to communities through profiteering from those vulnerable to addiction.”

“We believe this is a key part of the reason why decriminalisation is not on the table at this referendum: decriminalisation will not create profits for large corporations, the likes of which currently control the alcohol and tobacco industries.”