How sinful in marijuana?

[PeterMuz]

like a few have mentioned drinking in moderation is okay, thats why i ask this question. when i drink i often loose control. but when i smoke i only become mellow, and am still very aware and able to make decisions. i dont intend on abusing it. one hit or two…in moderation. i know it is illegal, but not in some states such as calif. i have stopped smoking but then started drinking,and as i stated before when i drink i loose control. i am going to stop drinking, but just wanted to know if moderation of smoking would be okay(sinful).
it just really helps me to relax and mellow out, as a cigarette does for others.

Don’t forget, as long as our government laws do not conflict with natural law or God’s law, we are required to follow those laws.

 

[PeterMuz]

like a few have mentioned drinking in moderation is okay, thats why i ask this question. when i drink i often loose control. but when i smoke i only become mellow, and am still very aware and able to make decisions. i dont intend on abusing it. one hit or two…in moderation. i know it is illegal, but not in some states such as calif. i have stopped smoking but then started drinking,and as i stated before when i drink i loose control. i am going to stop drinking, but just wanted to know if moderation of smoking would be okay(sinful).
it just really helps me to relax and mellow out, as a cigarette does for others.

So are you saying that just because you struggle with drinking in moderation, that makes smoking marijuana acceptable? I doubt you could find anything in the Bible or in Church teaching that would back that up.

I understand it makes you mellow. God never commanded us to be mellow. If you are trying to get rid of stress, there are plenty of other ways to do that. Like exercise, Laying outside in the shade, watching a good movie, etc.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

so is abortion.

Ergo, follow no laws, then.

 

[amariec]

So are you saying that just because you struggle with drinking in moderation, that makes smoking marijuana acceptable? I doubt you could find anything in the Bible or in Church teaching that would back that up.

im not trying to say it makes it okay since i don’t like drinking in moderation. i started the question because i do want to know if it is indeed something immoral or sinful. i just want to simply learn and hear opinions. i just personally do see it as being sinful except if it is illegal by state law.

 

[Big_Ro]

I agree that the sinfulness in this case has a lot more to do with it being illegal. I think there might be a good case to be made that marijuana use may be less dangerous that alchohol, but that’s for another forum, I think. But, let’s for a second say that it was legal or maybe a non-criminal practice, then the moderate use should be okay. Of course, it’s best if we could avoid any sort of mind altering substance. The question becomes at what point does it stop being “moderate”? How can you be sure that it’s not getting in the way of your relationship with God. It’s a tough call and I’m not sure what the answer might be. Keep trying my friend and maybe try to find a less dangerous way to relax.

 

[dennis01]

There also is the issue of the distribution system - which invariably involves many laws being broken and frequent associated murders. By purchasing a joint, lid or whatever, one becomes complicit.

 

[4EverHis]

I think the biggest problem here is not that it’s illegal, but that it’s a mind altering substance… I think that’s the part that really does make it sinful

 

[Stylites]

I think the biggest problem here is not that it’s illegal, but that it’s a mind altering substance… I think that’s the part that really does make it sinful

Prayer and meditation and fasting are mind-altering, too. Again, it all depends on the motivations of the individual.

 

[Stylites]

There also is the issue of the distribution system - which invariably involves many laws being broken and frequent associated murders. By purchasing a joint, lid or whatever, one becomes complicit.

Purchasing within a black market is not the only way to acquire something which grows like a weed. Just as the laws against illegal immigration don’t make sinners of those who cross a border without permission, or complicit in the deaths caused by smugglers or gangs, the fact that a law is so commonly broken and generally done so with impunity makes the law less valid.

 

[4EverHis]

Prayer and meditation and fasting are mind-altering, too. Again, it all depends on the motivations of the individual.

prayer, fasting, and meditation doesn’t interfere with a person’s free will. Drugs do. That’s what I meant by “mind altering”… not mood altering.

 

[Big_Ro]

Can I unsubcribe from this forum? If so how? It’s all interesting and such but I’m kinda done with it. God bless you all.

 

[Stylites]

prayer, fasting, and meditation doesn’t interfere with a person’s free will. Drugs do. That’s what I meant by “mind altering”… not mood altering.

Not sure how that would happen with the particular drug being discussed. Can you elaborate on how it can interfere with free will?

 

[BlueRain]

Many good points have been made for not smoking marijuana.

I would like to add that buying marijuana illiegally or other illegal substances, you are supporting drug trafficing and all the crime and murders that go with it.

 

[Stylites]

Many good points have been made for not smoking marijuana.

I would like to add that buying marijuana illiegally or other illegal substances, you are supporting drug trafficing and all the crime and murders that go with it.

Are illegal immigrants likewise guilty of supporting the violent crimes and murders associated with undocumented border immigration? The fact that violence and murders occur has more to do with the benign activity being illegal, albeit committed largely with impunity. Remove the sanctions against it, and the associated crime and violence goes away. Hence stating that an otherwise benign activity made de jure illegal is associated with violent crime is a circular argument, and not in keeping with justice, no?

 

[jimcintosh]

And it viiolates a legitimate civil law (which prohibits its use). You could argue that the law should be changed, but until and if it is, you must abide by it. It is no different than a law prohibiting drinking alcohol below x age, or setting limits of quantity allowed for home brewing wine (for example)

If you live in a state where medical use of marihuana is allowed and have a specific medical condition which could be helped by marihuana, then I don’t think the use of it would be sinful. In other words, it is not the substance itself which is sinful but rather that it is prohibited by civil law.

If it were decriminalized, then I think using it to excess – like an excessive use of wine – would be sinful.

 

[4EverHis]

Not sure how that would happen with the particular drug being discussed. Can you elaborate on how it can interfere with free will?

it’s the same concept as being drunk… I don’t know what it’s like to be on drugs though from what I’ve heard it can alter a person’s judgement/view of the world. I’m talking about all drugs here not just marijuana.

also it can be addictive

I don’t know, but when I think of the Holy Spirit living within us, it seems wrong to do things to our bodies like take drugs or get drunk or commit sexual sin. It’s disrespectful to God who lives in us and in Whose image we’re made. …If we were standing before Jesus, and He was looking at us, we would feel guilty and ashamed if we started doing something like this… but He’s ALWAYS with us…

and if something is a mind altering substance, it’s wrong to use it even a bit, not just “in excess”. if it’s mind altering, that’s already excess. That’s why having a bit of wine is not wrong, cause it would probably not get you drunk… but a bit of marijuana WOULD have an effect on the person already. I just don’t understand what the point is… I can’t imagine any of the Saints or the Apostles or especially our Blessed Mother doing something like this… so why should we? I understand not everyone thinks its wrong, and some people think it’s wrong but still do it, and I know we all have our own weaknesses, - me included… but it’s always a good idea to strive for greater holiness