Bishop warns of California's 'downfall' following legalization of cannabis

A California bishop has warned that the state may be heading for a "downfall" after recreational marijuana sales became legal on Jan. 1 for anyone 21 years of age or older.

Bishop Ron Allen, who serves as the president of the International Faith Based Coalition, expressed his belief that money was the motivation behind the legalization.

"Marijuana is still the No. 1 gateway drug next to alcohol and the state of California is in for a great downfall. This is not the way to make money," the bishop said during his appearance on "Fox & Friends."

"The Holy Bible is still true, money is still the root to all evil. It's a sad day for the state of California and it is a betrayal for our elected officials to put political and financial gain in front of the public safety of the citizens of the state of California in the United States," he went on to say.

Lines had formed outside marijuana dispensaries even before the shops were opened on Monday after the new law went into effect at 12:01 a.m.

Highway Patrol officers have issued warnings to drivers of California to beware of the increased risk of impaired drivers on the road as more people now have access to cannabis.

CHP Officer Jonathan Sloat noted that there has been an increase in vehicular accidents in other states where cannabis became legal.

Allen, a former drug addict, agreed with the highway patrol and warned that there will be an increase in crime rates and emergency room visits. He also expressed concern that there will be a surge in addictions, and more young people will drop out of schools.

Other religious leaders also shared their concern about the "human toll" that the drug is likely to have in the state.

"Whatever economic gains the legalization of marijuana will supposedly produce will be offset by the human toll on damaged relationships, loss of productivity in the workforce and the cost of expanded social programs to deal with the fallout of this bad social experiment," said Gateway Seminary President Jeff Iorg.

Recreational marijuana legalization was approved by California voters in 2016, but NBC News noted that the new law allowed for local regulation.

Last year, lawmakers in Kern County and Fresno banned the sales of recreational pot. In Los Angeles County, the newly established Office of Cannabis Management warned that "many areas" of the county have not yet chosen to permit commercial cannabis operations.

Other states that have approved recreational marijuana sales were Alaska, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Recreational marijuana sales were also approved in Maine and Massachusetts, but not yet sold legally.