Is it a sin or sinful to smoke marijuana?

[LegoGE1947]

Even prayer done excessively while neglecting other serious responsibilities (family etc …) could be an occasion of sin in my opinion.

As the footnote says “Christians should not be devoid of humor or common sense!” Sometimes prayer can be a pretty senseless thing to do when common sense tells you to do this or that!

 

[jkiernan56]

As the footnote says “Christians should not be devoid of humor or common sense!” Sometimes prayer can be a pretty senseless thing to do when common sense tells you to do this or that!

Yes, but I admit even I don’t always follow my common sense. I’m not so sure that everyone else always does either … maybe I’m wrong. And I don’t just limit it to prayer either … there are many other things where I have not followed common sense … isn’t that a part of what concupiscense is? Lower appetites that war against reason? In this context, I mean common sense.

 

[Will8503]

ive never noticed any drastic difference between driving sober, or driving after smoking, its been negligible at best, tho they might be more careful to avoid getting pulled over

Are you sure? Someone else told me that marijuana slowed their reaction time while driving.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Jesus was fully human and the Jesus I know drank wine and even got a “buzz”.

I can’t drink wine though because the mere smell of it makes me sick! I used to work as a bagger in a supermarket and many times I would accidently drop a jug of wine and it would break at my feet and it was all I could do to deep from hurling. But for those who can drink it and enjoy it yall are welcome to my share! Enjoy.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Yes, but I admit even I don’t always follow my common sense. I’m not so sure that everyone else always does either … maybe I’m wrong. And I don’t just limit it to prayer either … there are many other things where I have not followed common sense … isn’t that a part of what concupiscense is? Lower appetites that war against reason? In this context, I mean common sense.

It would seem that in this day and age “Common Sense” isn’t really very common.

 

[JDaniel]

Actually, a .02 in a CMV will get you an OOS shutdown, a .04 will get you a 1 year suspension, or longer… A second conviction is automatic permanent revocation of the CDL. If you hold a CDL…and you are stopped in your POV, it matters not. The .04 is legally drunk and you are toast per Federal Law. CDL holders are held to a higher standard.

dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/commercial/cmv.htm

flhsmv.gov/ddl/duilaws.html

tonysnyder.com/law/?p=16

I hold and have held a CDL-A w/XT endorsements for 15 years now. I work for a company that has a ZERO tolerance rule. If I get stopped for any reason and have any amount of alcohol or non-prescribed medication in my system that are on the restricted lists…I am terminated on the spot. The vast majority of transportation companies have the same policy.

Any and all infractions of safety rules or policies are reported to a central data bank and accessible by employers, and this is exclusive of national and state data banks. So violation of the ZERO tolerance policy, or getting nailed for a .02 or higher is a “career killer”… Unfortunately some have found that out the hard way…

Rob:

Of course, you know who is to blame for such draconian measures as “Zero Tolerance Policies”, and the like, don’t you? Why, it’s the mean, old insurance companies! Big business rearing its ugly head again.

Couldn’t be that the insurance companies have already suffered losses due to drivers driving under the influence of pot or alcohol, could it? Nah! There’s no impairment; no inability to make sound and efficacious judgments. Timely. Deliberately.

The justifications are becoming mindless - in my humble opinion.

God Bless,
jd

 

[iamme]

Are you sure? Someone else told me that marijuana slowed their reaction time while driving.

1. marijuana slows reaction time, PERIOD, not just while driving, of course so does being tired, being angry, having a single glass of wine, and a number of other variables, but we cant just say that those things are responsible for accidents, because we cant just pick one single thing that causes accidents. might it contribute? sure, but is it the cause? no one knows. like someone else, who i agree with, had said, if anything, being stoned while driving elevates your awareness that your reaction times will be different, and cause an almost paranoid awareness making one drive almost safer than one would while sober.
   i just woke up, so im not looking for any studies to back me up, but i doubt there are any studies saying trying to find that driving stoned is a good thing, because obviously driving in ANY impaired state is unwise, but the point is that there are many more legal things that you can consume that have much worse effects than a joint does.

EDIT: and be aware that i said DRASTIC changes.
slower reaction isnt drastic, unless youre thinking of being comatose.

 

[fbl9]

I think you expressed it very well and succinctly.
excess … abuse … irresponsibility … a sinful act whether that be marijuana or alcohol … or listening to Madonna and abusing others by turning up the volume too loud … LOL

could be worse,one could be cranking some 50 cent…

 

[LegoGE1947]

I don’t think french fries are a mind-altering drug. I could be wrong, though.

Course it could be the salt and the ketchup!

 

[LegoGE1947]

Attam - would you please honestly answer a question for me? Do you drink alcohol? Let’s make it even more simple than that … do you drink coffee or tea?

I don’t know about any one else but because of health issues I can’t drink alcohol or coffee or tea except some herbal tea.

 

[stringbeanduck]

Actually, a .02 in a CMV will get you an OOS shutdown, a .04 will get you a 1 year suspension, or longer… A second conviction is automatic permanent revocation of the CDL. If you hold a CDL…and you are stopped in your POV, it matters not. The .04 is legally drunk and you are toast per Federal Law. CDL holders are held to a higher standard.

dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/commercial/cmv.htm

flhsmv.gov/ddl/duilaws.html

tonysnyder.com/law/?p=16

I hold and have held a CDL-A w/XT endorsements for 15 years now. I work for a company that has a ZERO tolerance rule. If I get stopped for any reason and have any amount of alcohol or non-prescribed medication in my system that are on the restricted lists…I am terminated on the spot. The vast majority of transportation companies have the same policy.

Any and all infractions of safety rules or policies are reported to a central data bank and accessible by employers, and this is exclusive of national and state data banks. So violation of the ZERO tolerance policy, or getting nailed for a .02 or higher is a “career killer”… Unfortunately some have found that out the hard way…

You’re right. My brother in law holds a CDL and a Class A so he doesn’t have more than a sip of anything if he’s going back out that night even if he’s off duty. No disagreement there; the higher your license status is, it only makes sense to have more restrictions on BAC levels and violations. Thanks for those facts.

 

[jkiernan56]

Course it could be the salt and the ketchup!

That was a knee slapper !!! Hilarious !!!

 

[Dwyer]

**Catholic answers **from the ewtn.com website:

In theology we are studying morality and bio-ethics. During our double periods we are given a certain situation.

This week my group got a situation in which a teen couple was selling marijuana as a way to make money for college. Is smoking marijuana against the 5th commandment?

Some of us said yes, and others (you have been known to do drugs) said no.
Who is right?

Answer by Fr.Stephen F. Torraco on 02-01-2002:

It is indeed against the 5th Commandment. It is also against the 4th Commandment, according to which we are obliged to obey the civil law that is in harmony with the natural law.

Would it be a mortal sin to smoke it (i.e., marijuana) for entertainment) once every 6 months to a year, even though I have never had any problems with addiction with it? I’m in college so it’s almost everywhere.

Thanks!

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 08-11-2002:

The following texts of the Catechism address the issue of illegal and illicit drug use:

2291 The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co-operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

2211 The political community has a duty to honor the family, to assist it, and to ensure especially:

• the freedom to establish a family, have children, and bring them up in keeping with the family’s own moral and religious convictions;

• the protection of the stability of the marriage bond and the institution of the family;

• the freedom to profess one’s faith, to hand it on, and raise one’s children in it, with the necessary means and institutions;

• the right to private property, to free enterprise, to obtain work and housing, and the right to emigrate;

• in keeping with the country’s institutions, the right to medical care, assistance for the aged, and family benefits;

• the protection of security and health, especially with respect to dangers like drugs, pornography, alcoholism, etc.;

• the freedom to form associations with other families and so to have representation before civil authority.

The use of Marijuana is illegal and immoral, and I believe that it is a sin that could be mortal, given the terrible web of evil of which it is a part.

Any participation in the world of illegal drugs contributes towards and participates in a very dark world, which involves destroyed lives and families, crime, murder, prostitution, and Lord knows what else.

Have NOTHING to do with the world of drugs. If you can go six months without a hit, you can go six years, or sixty, or six hundred without a hit.

If your friends are into the drug scene, you need different friends. Get involved with a good Catholic group on campus, and I bet you will find plenty of drug free activities and friends.

And I recommend that you make a good Confession, soon, to put any past use behind you.

Thanks, John

Father Echert

I agree totally with the cathechism on its stand with drug abuse, but in regards to marijuana I have to regard it in a different light.

A “drug” by what is meant in the cathechism is what I would consider is something taken which is “both” unnatural to the body and unhealthy.

I would have to put all illicit drugs except marijuana in the category of “unnatural” and “unhealthy”.

Marijuana is the only commonly used drug that is naturally growing and not “manufactured.”

I have to attest to the fact that marijuana “if used properly” can be relaxing and can stimulate a state of mind that is productive and creative.

I am not saying that it can’t be abused, but it is not as evil as claimed.

I believe that if we separate marijuana from the other drugs and drug culture then we can see its benefits.

As for the issue of marijuana being obtained from drug dealers, I encourage people to grow their own (and I mean only their own, not enough to sell to others for profit). By doing this, people sever their ties with the evils of the “drug world.”

Please give me replies and opinions to this statement.

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 08-12-2002:

Marijuana can be very destructive, and it does often lead into more deadly drugs.

You cannot separate Marijuana out of the dark drug world which exists.

There are good reasons why even society judges it wrong and the law makes it illegal.

I suggest you pray a rosary, every time you get the urge to get high, and stimulate your mind and soul properly.

Father Echert

Source: ewtn.com/vexperts/search.asp

Type in marijuana; voila!

 

[LegoGE1947]

That was a knee slapper !!! Hilarious !!!

Well If you eat french fries without ketchup and salt and then eat some WITH ketchup and salt wouldn’t that be somewhat mind altering, since one way tastes better than the other?

 

[jkiernan56]

I don’t know about any one else but because of health issues I can’t drink alcohol or coffee or tea except some herbal tea.

Thank you for responding. That leads me to my next question to you if you would be gracious enough to answer. Are you OK with people drinking alcohol in moderation and responsibly?

If yes, then if we take out of the equation ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to do with civil law … in a place where medical marijuana is LEGAL, are you OK with some people smoking marijuana in moderation and responsibly?

 

[jkiernan56]

The use of Marijuana is illegal and immoral, and I believe that it is a sin that could be mortal, given the terrible web of evil of which it is a part.

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 08-12-2002:

Marijuana can be very destructive, and it does often lead into more deadly drugs.

You cannot separate Marijuana out of the dark drug world which exists.

I would like to respectfully disagree with these statements.
The first statement brings into the equation the words “illegal” and “immoral”. This thread is not about the ILLEGAL use of marijuana. Please take that out of the equation. This thread is discussing the morality of LEGAL use of marijuana.

Notice the first statement by Fr. John Echert “Marijuana can be very destructive, and it does often lead into more deadly drugs.” I would like to point out that he uses the word “CAN BE”. I whole heartedly agree that for some people marijuana CAN have negative consequences in their life, but not necessarily and not absolutely. As I have continually repeated “guns don’t kill people - people kill people with guns.” Guns are NOT implicitly bad. Guns can be used in constructive positive ways OR negative destructive ways. How a gun is used depends on the Person using it and their intent. Yes for some people who use marijuana, it CAN BE a drug that leads them into more deadly drugs. But is it really the marijuana that “leads” them or is it the Person making choices that bring destructive consequences into their life? We could hypothetically get rid of all guns and people would not be able to kill other people with them. But they will find other ways to kill each other. The gun isn’t the problem. So too with marijuana, we could hypothetically destroy all the marijuana in the world - but honestly, would that stop people from using drugs that bring destructive consequences into their life? The point is that it isn’t marijuana that is evil and causing a person to make choices to go onto other more deadly drugs. It is the person who is making the choice. This statement by Fr. John Echert is the tail of the dog wagging the dog and not the dog wagging the tail. He says “it DOES often lead into other more deadly drugs.” I ask the question - is it the marijuana that leads into other more deadly drugs or is it the PERSON that is responsible for their actions and making a choice to go into other more deadly drugs? I also take exception to the use of the phrase “more deadly drugs” which implicitly states that marijuana is in the category of a deadly drug. That in my opinion is absolutely FALSE.

Fr. John Echert also states that “You cannot separate Marijuana out of the dark drug world which exists.” I respond to that “HUH?” That is a very ignorant statement in my opinion and absolutely FALSE again. Yes there is a dark world that is involved in the illegal trafficing of marijuana. But to conclude that marijuana “cannot be separated from the dark drug world” is NOT true. It makes a statement of fact that marijuana again is implicitly evil.

 

[jkiernan56]

Answer by Fr. John Echert on 08-12-2002:

There are good reasons why even society judges it wrong and the law makes it illegal.

I suggest you pray a rosary, every time you get the urge to get high, and stimulate your mind and soul properly.

At one time alcohol was judged wrong by society and was made illegal. Guess what - common sense prevailed. With regards to marijuana, society has not yet caught up to the truth and the use of common sense.

The suggestion to pray a rosary when confronted by an urge to do something wrong is a good one. I don’t necessarily agree that anytime a person has the “urge” to use marijuana that they pray the rosary. If a person wants to get high knowing later they have to perform some responsibilities that might put themselves or others in jeopardy, yes they might want to consider praying the rosary for grace to do the right and responsible thing. But for a person whose heart is in a good place with the Lord, I would actually recommend praying the rosary AFTER having a smoke. They might be surprised about the difference in their prayer. (I am not advocating a person should always get high before they pray).

I have no doubt that Fr. John Echert has good intentions in all that he said. But his statements are full of half-truths, assumptions, and even falsehoods.

Marijuana is not evil nor does it make a person evil. People who use and abuse marijuana make immoral choices. It isn’t the fault of marijuana in and of itself. I would suggest a more objective approach and criteria for judging the choices people make as to the genesis of morality rather than the object of their use.

 

[Tessin]

Personally I wouldn’t want to be on an airplane going somewhere knowing the pilot and co-pilot were lighting up in the cockpit. There is a proper time and place for everything.

I don’t believe pilots are allowed to consume alcohol while working; I assume the same restriction would apply to marijuana in this and similar situations.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Thank you for responding. That leads me to my next question to you if you would be gracious enough to answer. Are you OK with people drinking alcohol in moderation and responsibly?

If yes, then if we take out of the equation ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to do with civil law … in a place where medical marijuana is LEGAL, are you OK with some people smoking marijuana in moderation and responsibly?

No problem with other people drinking moderately and responsibly. Also no problem if marijuana is being used for some MEDICAL purpose rather than purely recreational use. I am aware that there are cancer patients for example who take drugs otherwise considered illegal for the severe pain connected with their disease. I am saying that the potential for abuse is there like there is for anything. I’m not sure why God created marijuana anymore than I know why he created the appendix but obviously he had a reason. God doesn’t make mistakes but it is up to modern science to find a good use for marijuana. You’ve raised a tough question and I’ve never faced it before. I’ve always associated marijuana with guys like Cheech and Chong, and rock musicians, and guys who hang around back alleys and sell drugs to school kids to get them addicted. This is going to take further study and soul-searching on my part. Thank you for giving me some food for thought!

 

[LegoGE1947]

I don’t believe pilots are allowed to consume alcohol while working; I assume the same restriction would apply to marijuana in this and similar situations.

But then if an airplane is a public place should people be lighting up any type of smoking product? (Illinois where I live has outlawed smoking anywhere in or near any public establishment including restaurants and bars.)