In a decisive stand against marijuana legalisation, former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte has made her position clear: Should she be elected as governor, the push for legal cannabis in the state will come to a halt. During an interview on CloseUP, Ayotte articulated her stance, emphasising that marijuana legalisation does not align with the best interests of the state, especially in light of the ongoing fentanyl crisis.

The former senator’s comments inject a critical voice into the debate around drug policy and substance abuse, questioning whether the legalisation of marijuana—and by extension, the normalisation of certain drugs—truly serves the public’s best interests. This stance underscores a commitment to grappling with the deep-seated causes of drug addiction, including the mental health crises and social inequities that often underpin substance dependency.

This viewpoint calls for a more comprehensive approach to drug policy, one that goes beyond the binary debate of legalisation versus prohibition, to consider how best to protect public health, support individuals struggling with addiction, and prevent the onset of drug use in the first place. It suggests that the solution to the drug crisis may lie not in finding safer ways for people to use substances but in eliminating the demand for these substances altogether.

For the full interview with Ayotte, visit WMUR.