Is it a sin or sinful to smoke marijuana?

[LilyM]

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my sex life with my husband was severely affected. For years attempts towards intimacy with my husband, resulted in flashbacks and suicidal thoughts. It was emotionally devastating for both of us. Years of prayer and therapy insued, and though I had many spiritual healings, my physical sexual problems remained.

One night I took a couple hits of marijuana and for the first time in many years was able to experience sexual pleasure with my husband. I cried with gratitude and thanked God for an answer to our prayers. Still, I had been so conditioned by society to think it was wrong, I continued to pray and question, even though I knew in my heart it was a tree that was bearing good fruit, because not only was my sex life resurrected, but my depression was significantly lessened and more managable. AND after years of struggling to stay a size 2, I have been hanging at a healthy size 6. It helps my appetite.

My heart was finally set to rest by an elderly parish priest whom I trust. He never hesitates to tell the truth. After hearing my story, much of it told through tears, he confirmed what I knew but was afraid to believe. You can tell a tree by it’s fruit. This tree was producing good fruit in my life and that of my family, and I thank God for it.

I don’t care what any reports say, I see how it has helped me and therefore my family, and I cannot deny THAT reality.

And? Cocaine or crystal meth or any one of the ‘harder’ drugs could probably have done the same for you, in combination if not individually.

And if it had, I suppose you’d be here telling us how wonderful THEY are and how THEY aren’t sinful either

 

[warpspeedpetey]

Nowhere NEAR the extent that we have with alcohol, sweetheart. And the best you can do is ‘it doesn’t kill people through overdose, therefore it’s fine and dandy?’ Don’t make me laugh.

if 15-20% of americans smoke pot thats 45 to 60 million test subjects, no deaths. thats a sample size that official testing will never reach, further one would be hard pressed to find any non smoke related problems. but if you have evidence by a non biased source for such events please post it

Look, I’m thrilled that the guinea pigs were fine. You do know, don’t you, that strychnine is fine for sheep and fatal for humans?

no idea, interesting though, but i dont have sheep.

There’s a reason why drug companies test on humans before drugs are declared safe for use.

yeah, there is, they trace the metabolic cycles and variations from the expected reactions out to the fourth and fifth deviations, but their sample sizes are nowhere near the unofficial marijuana tests, so though they may not follow a strict regimen the sheer numbers of guinea pigs lends credence to the anecdotal results that may be inferred from them.

And being illegal, proper testing of cannabis on humans can never ethically happen.

the federal government has grown and distributed high grade marijuana for years for the purposes of testing and the suppression of glaucoma. thats simply not the case

 

[Matariel]

And? Cocaine or crystal meth or any one of the ‘harder’ drugs could probably have done the same for you, in combination if not individually.

And if it had, I suppose you’d be here telling us how wonderful THEY are and how THEY aren’t sinful either

Don’t be so hard on Ana. She’s been through a lot.

 

[Ana]

And? Cocaine or crystal meth or any one of the ‘harder’ drugs could probably have done the same for you, in combination if not individually.

And if it had, I suppose you’d be here telling us how wonderful THEY are and how THEY aren’t sinful either

It doesn’t serve well to suppose things about people.

I am pretty sure the negative consequences of the drugs you mentioned would way outnumber any benefits they could possibly produce.

Isn’t that what we are supposed to do when considering our health options? Weigh the risks vs. benefits? There is no argument on the negative consequences from those drugs. I didn’t notice any threads titled, is using Crystal Meth a sin? Hello… it causes one to commit acts of violence (opposite of pot.) Nor have I ever heard any users of such drugs claim that it makes them a healthier person. I don’t see what those drugs have to do with this thread, which is about marijuana, not Cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, or for that matter prescription and LEGAL drugs like zanax, vicoden, morphine, or any other narcotic… I’ve got lots to say about those too, and it is NOT positive … only off topic.

Anyway, I thought your “And?” at the beginning of your reply was rude and condescending. I was sharing my personal experience that was on topic of this thread (which is more than I can say for your reply.). Isn’t that was this discussion forum is for?

 

[Ana]

Don’t be so hard on Ana. She’s been through a lot.

Wow… thank you for your compassion. It was unexpected and really means a lot.

 

[LilyM]

It doesn’t serve well to suppose things about people.

I am pretty sure the negative consequences of the drugs you mentioned would way outnumber any benefits they could possibly produce.

Isn’t that what we are supposed to do when considering our health options? Weigh the risks vs. benefits? There is no argument on the negative consequences from those drugs. I didn’t notice any threads titled, is using Crystal Meth a sin? Hello… it causes one to commit acts of violence (opposite of pot.) Nor have I ever heard any users of such drugs claim that it makes them a healthier person. I don’t see what those drugs have to do with this thread, which is about marijuana, not Cocaine, crystal meth, heroin, or for that matter prescription and LEGAL drugs like zanax, vicoden, morphine, or any other narcotic… I’ve got lots to say about those too, and it is NOT positive … only off topic.

Anyway, I thought your “And?” at the beginning of your reply was rude and condescending. I was sharing my personal experience that was on topic of this thread (which is more than I can say for your reply.). Isn’t that was this discussion forum is for?

I unreservedly apologise for sounding unsympathetic. I’m sure that it must’ve been hell to go through the difficulties you’ve had. I know you briefly mentioned therapy, although not specifically sex therapy (which seems the most logical type for someone experiencing sexual difficulties) or legal antidepressants. I’m not going to presume that you didn’t try those as well, but you did sound extremely dismissive of them.

You might not feel that they helped you but they do work for plenty of women, myself among them (mind you my difficulties weren’t sexual in nature, but have been serious nonetheless).

Of course they don’t achieve instant ‘miracle’ results such as you claim for marijuana, and sometimes it takes a search to find the right antidepressant (if required, they certainly arent always) and/or therapist to help you. That doesn’t mean such methods don’t work.

I’m not taken with the reasoning process that because something achieved a certain result for you that it makes it a morally permissible or non-sinful way of going about things. As you’ve rightly pointed out EVERY drug has its problems, even the legal ones, so I’m very wary of calling any drug, let alone marijuana, a panacea.

And at least with the legal drugs you and your doctor know exactly what dose you’re getting, and the side effects and interactions with other drugs, contraindications and so on, are usually well researched and labelled, and you can watch out for them and so on. Cannabis is just such an unknown quantity - especially with new varieties that have apparently much higher levels of THC and so on.

 

[Colin_Fry]

Being new here I’m not going to bother pursuing this any further right now, but I do find it very interesting that people disregard so easily the Moral Theology source that I posted on the subject. The health aspect is important and should be discussed (I believe its far more healthy than other moral things - i.e. alcohol etc.), but whether its objectively unhealthy or not, a noted Church moral theologian (Fr. Jone) points out that it is not wrong if used for medicinal purposes. Smoking is very unhealthy for people, I think that is generally accepted all around. And yet, the Church doesn’t say that it is sinful, and cigarettes have not nearly the health benefits that certain narcotic drugs can have for a person.

 

[RobbyS]

It is a sin. Marijuana is harmful. Period. Growing it yourself is illegal. Period.

I have seen no good evidence from medical professionals that even so-called medical marijuana is good or useful.

Peace,
Ed

A college roommate back in the early 60s, who went with friends to Mexico to get Mary Jane, said it was like smoking a couple of jiggers of whiskey.

 

[Ana]

I unreservedly apologise for sounding unsympathetic. I’m sure that it must’ve been hell to go through the difficulties you’ve had. I know you briefly mentioned therapy, although not specifically sex therapy (which seems the most logical type for someone experiencing sexual difficulties) or legal antidepressants. I’m not going to presume that you didn’t try those as well, but you did sound extremely dismissive of them.

Thank you, Lily. The things I mentioned were just a few of my methods of approaching my sexual and emotional issues. I tend towards a holistic approach, that includes many things like diet, sleep, exercise, therapy and different medications as needed for different situations. I just was keeping my post brief.

You might not feel that they helped you but they do work for plenty of women, myself among them (mind you my difficulties weren’t sexual in nature, but have been serious nonetheless).

 

[Ana]

Being new here I’m not going to bother pursuing this any further right now, but I do find it very interesting that people disregard so easily the Moral Theology source that I posted on the subject. The health aspect is important and should be discussed (I believe its far more healthy than other moral things - i.e. alcohol etc.), but whether its objectively unhealthy or not, a noted Church moral theologian (Fr. Jone) points out that it is not wrong if used for medicinal purposes. Smoking is very unhealthy for people, I think that is generally accepted all around. And yet, the Church doesn’t say that it is sinful, and cigarettes have not nearly the health benefits that certain narcotic drugs can have for a person.

I didn’t disregard it. I think it makes A LOT of sense.

 

[Colin_Fry]

I didn’t disregard it. I think it makes A LOT of sense.

thanks. I should say, I was referring to those who are against marijuana.

 

[LilyM]

thanks. I should say, I was referring to those who are against marijuana.

Well, because the Catechism, which was specifically written to be a definitive document vis-a-vis the teachings of the Church and thus trumps your Father Jones, condemns in blanket terms the use and dealing of illicit drugs, as posted by an earlier poster, for the reasons of the harms of various kinds that they cause.

Sure they might have health benefits, but I’ve seen no real evidence that they are more efficacious than the legal medications and medical and other alternative treatments that are available.

Without any offence to you, Ana, it’s unlikely that you’ve tried more than a fraction of the antidepressant and other medications and types of therapy and alternative treatments that are available out there.

Assuming, as appears to be the case, that marijuana wouldn’t seem to offer any UNIQUE health benefits, and marijuana not being declared illegal lightly but for reason of very real harms noted by the legislators who did so, there’s no reason to use or legalise it.

I note, interestingly, that the liberal Dutch have very recently made moves to close down numerous hitherto legal ‘coffee houses’ where cannabis could openly and legally be purchased and consumed. It is fair to assume that they did so because keeping it legal is harmful or against the social interest in some way - and it would have to be in a fairly serious way to make them do such an about-face.

 

[Colin_Fry]

Well, because the Catechism, which was specifically written to be a definitive document vis-a-vis the teachings of the Church and thus trumps your Father Jones, condemns in blanket terms the use and dealing of illicit drugs, as posted by an earlier poster, for the reasons of the harms of various kinds that they cause.

okay. Fair enough. I don’t believe in the CCC, but if it addresses the issue, it’s probably good for you all to follow it. This does bring up another question for me regarding how people aren’t at all concerned about the contradiction between the noted pre-V2 theologian and new teaching, but I won’t even go down that road . I guess there’s not much more for me to say about this. peace

 

[Reepicheep]

as to the idea th at you can take 1 drink and not be drunk, but you cant take 1 toke and not be high.
thats nonsense, you dont go from being not drunk, to drunk at some predetermined limit, its a continuum, same way with pot.

You can take one drink, or two, enjoy it and stop there. You don’t need to get drunk to enjoy alcohol.
Can you enjoy pot without getting high?

they had pot long ago, in fact they dug up a grave the other day where some chinese guy had been buried with his stash, 2700 years ago.

Even if true, so what? They had marijuana in China, therefore they must have had it in Isreal? Poor logic. **
In any case, some guy in China smoked weed nearly three thousand years ago, therefore it must be safe?**

scripture says not to be a drunkard, it says nothing about pot, yet they knew of it, its a weed that grows everywhere in the world.

Even if they did know of it, so what?
The Scripture forbids us to get drunk on wine, but it says nothing about whiskey, nor does it mention brandy. So we can get drunk on whiskey and brandy - right!?

i have to assume it is because pot is harmless in moderation, much less dangerous then alchohol.

**Except that, if you can’t enjoy it unless you get high, then you can’t “use it in moderation”.
Except that “it’s less dangerous than alcohol” does not mean it’s safe.
Except that you prove nothing about pot by pointing to alcohol. **

 

[Reepicheep]

For one, I recently saw on a prime time news broadcast about a study that showed THC had promising results for alzheimers patients and electrical brain activity. Did you also know that THC has been proven to have positive results for glacoma?

Even if true, so what?
THC is not marijuana: it’s a chemical substance that can be extracted from the cannabis plant. If that substance helps alzheimer’s patients, the doctors are not therefore going to make alzheimer’s patients smoke pot: they’re going to use THC as a treatment.
In any case, “It’s good for treating alzheimer’s” is not in the least proof that getting high on it is okay. Doctors sometimes use morphine as a painkiller. Doesn’t mean it’s okay to use it for pleasure.

 

[Reepicheep]

Question, why would God create cannabinoid receptors in our brains, if not to receive cannabinoids ?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabinoid_receptor

Alcohol, on the other hand has no specific receptors in the brain, it just uses a shotgun approach, depressing the central nervous system and destroying brain cells. Not to mention liver cells.

The fact that our brains respond to cannabis does not prove they were intended to do so. We respond to excessive alcohol by becoming drunk: that does not prove we were intended to be drunk, nor that we should be so.

 

[jkiernan56]

Originally Posted by warpspeedpetey forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_cad/viewpost.gif
*, and i have never heard anyone uses it as a sexual aid.
*

As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, my sex life with my husband was severely affected. For years attempts towards intimacy with my husband, resulted in flashbacks and suicidal thoughts. It was emotionally devastating for both of us. Years of prayer and therapy insued, and though I had many spiritual healings, my physical sexual problems remained.

One night I took a couple hits of marijuana and for the first time in many years was able to experience sexual pleasure with my husband. I cried with gratitude and thanked God for an answer to our prayers. Still, I had been so conditioned by society to think it was wrong, I continued to pray and question, even though I knew in my heart it was a tree that was bearing good fruit, because not only was my sex life resurrected, but my depression was significantly lessened and more managable. AND after years of struggling to stay a size 2, I have been hanging at a healthy size 6. It helps my appetite.

My heart was finally set to rest by an elderly parish priest whom I trust. He never hesitates to tell the truth. After hearing my story, much of it told through tears, he confirmed what I knew but was afraid to believe. You can tell a tree by it’s fruit. This tree was producing good fruit in my life and that of my family, and I thank God for it.

I don’t care what any reports say, I see how it has helped me and therefore my family, and I cannot deny THAT reality.

Thank you Ana for opening your heart and sharing your story with us… Like I have said in earlier posts, one shoe does not fit all feet (ie - there is no one answer to this question that applies to everyone). I appreciate you being so open.

 

[Ana]

okay. Fair enough. I don’t believe in the CCC, but if it addresses the issue, it’s probably good for you all to follow it. This does bring up another question for me regarding how people aren’t at all concerned about the contradiction between the noted pre-V2 theologian and new teaching, but I won’t even go down that road . I guess there’s not much more for me to say about this. peace

I don’t feel like digging thru the earlier posts for an exact quote. The CCC says that the use of illicit drugs is a grave sin, *unless used for therapuetic purposes. *Just like the document you posted. They don’t seem to contradict one another.

 

[jkiernan56]

Would anybody like to comment on the words of St. Paul and how they apply to this very topic?

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. **All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall. **
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

 

[Ana]

Thank you Ana for opening your heart to us. Like I have said in earlier posts, one shoe does not fit all feet (ie - there is no one answer to this question that applies to everyone). I appreciate you sharing your story with us.

Thank you jkeirnen, I understand personal experiences don’t carry much weight, but it is my experience none the less, no matter how many people want to say or point to studies that say there are no medicinal benefits.

If a tylenol takes away my headache, I don’t need a study or other people to agree that my headache is gone, for me to accept that it is gone. I know my headache is gone becuase it is not there anymore. The same goes for the specific manifestations of illness, that marijuana has benefited me with. It helps me because it helps me, simple as that.

Because of my personal experience of the medicinal benefits of MJ, I am inclined to believe those who claim MJ helps in the treatment of their illness. Before that though, I believed they were all kooks who wanted to justify their MJ use. This line of thinking can only work, if it is first assumed the person claiming benefits is lying and has an unlterior motive. Not a charitable assumption, and spiritually dangerous for the one doing the assuming.

ASSUMING these people are telling the truth … Those dying from AIDS wasting syndrome, those effected by MS, the chemo treatments for cancer, glaucoma, depression, migraine headaches … That we are not ALL LIARS, shouldn’t we have the right to make our own healthcare decisions?