Is it a sin or sinful to smoke marijuana?

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Marijuana does impair memory, but only during intoxication. 12 weeks after users quit, the short-term memory loss typically disappears.
I believe intoxication/drunkeness has been addressed… Back to topic, that is a sin.
 
I believe intoxication/drunkeness has been addressed… Back to topic, that is a sin.
Before we talk about whether or not it’s a sin, Biblically, we need to know if it actually hurts the body, or, the temple. Don’t you agree? 👍
 
Are psyhologists doctors?
Yes, you need either a Pys.D. or a Ph.D., both being doctorate degrees, in order to be a psychologist. (Counselors see patients under the supervision of a psychologist in most states.) I have a Ph.D because I also teach. 👍 (Psy.D is mostly clinical. Less focus on research and more on practice. Basically, Psy.D. is Clinical-Scientist while Ph.D is Scientist-Clinical. Both **can **teach, but if you want a job teaching, best to have a Ph.D. because of the research involved. Most universities hire the Ph.D. before the Psy.D.)

And in some states, my state being one of them, psychologists (not counselors) can prescibe medication. 👍 In fact, I just prescribed 3 scripts today: two for depression and one for OCD. (Keep in mind, though, most psychologists are not fans of medication. We believe, most of us, that medication is a last resort. You have to understand the science involved with psychology (not psychiatry) in order to know why. I have little repsect for psychiatrists. They drug and drug and drug and don’t try anything else. They are MDs, so that’s why.)
Of probably the millions of people worldwide that smoke MJ how many can you honestly say smoke it in the way you have described? I’m quite sure the ones who get Med MJ are more likely to…
That’s not the point. The point is that it can be safer (not safe, but safer) for the lungs.
 
They may have a PhD, but they are not Medical Doctors (unless coincidentally they happen to have an MD or OD degree).
They either have a Ph.D or a Psy.D. Psychiatrists have a MD or a DO. OD is optometry. You mean Doctor of Osteopathy, in which case that is DO, not OD. And we are trained in the same way a MD is trained as far as the brain goes. In fact, psychologists know more about the brain than MDs or DOs, because, unless they are psychiatrists or neurologists (and neurologists don’t treat the psyche), it’s not their specialty. I have been referred several patients by family doctors. And we are also trained in the same way a MD or DO is in pharmacology, which is why in some states we can prescribe medication. Soon, we’ll be able to in all states.

You are not a psychologists without either the Psy.D or Ph.D. If you don’t have it, you’re a counselor and nothing more.
 
Now, I don’t want anyone to think that psychologists don’t value counselors, because we do - at least, I do. They just haven’t earned the title of Doctor, so they aren’t really psychologists; they are counselors. They have little to no training in pharmacology, and a slight understanding of the biological process of the brain. They counsel people. They know psychoanalysis, and that’s what they do. When it comes to that, they know as much as psychologists.
 
And the AMA (American Medical Association) relies HEAVILY on the APA (American Psychological Association) when describing mental disorders. In fact, the AMA is helping fund research on the psychological problems associated with abortion. I’m part of the research in my area.

If anyone is interested for arguments sake, abortion does indeed have some longterm psychological problems associated with it. And despite the ignorant rambling of the pro-choicers, it has nothing to do with religion. I have treated atheist women who suffered psychological problems after abortion. So, nothing to do with abandoning God.

I wish women who were seeking an abortion could see some of the women I’ve treated. It positively ravages the mind. I’ve treated teenagers who were straight A students until the abortion. From there, drugs, alcohol and all Fs. Some have been put in jail. Some killed themselves. It’s terrible. It really is. You’d have to see these people to understand.
 
jkiernan56, you can rationalize all you want: the Church has spoken clearly. The CCC lumps “drugs” into one category, and later goes into more specific detail on the topic of alcohol (the abuse of which is gravely sinful, not simply the use). The CCC does NOT go into more specific detail for the use of marijuana, it leaves it at:

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.

That is the bottom line, and the fundamental difference between alcohol and other drugs.
That was going to be my point exactly. And I have already quoted that two weeks ago. Having a glass of wine or alcohol is okay as long as you do not over do it. Anything you over indulge is a sin also. But as you stated a little is not a sin. Drugs not given by a Dr are.
 
Yes, you need either a Pys.D. or a Ph.D., both being doctorate degrees, in order to be a psychologist. (Counselors see patients under the supervision of a psychologist in most states.) I have a Ph.D because I also teach. 👍 (Psy.D is mostly clinical. Less focus on research and more on practice. Basically, Psy.D. is Clinical-Scientist while Ph.D is Scientist-Clinical. Both **can **teach, but if you want a job teaching, best to have a Ph.D. because of the research involved. Most universities hire the Ph.D. before the Psy.D.)

And in some states, my state being one of them, psychologists (not counselors) can prescibe medication. 👍 In fact, I just prescribed 3 scripts today: two for depression and one for OCD. (Keep in mind, though, most psychologists are not fans of medication. We believe, most of us, that medication is a last resort. You have to understand the science involved with psychology (not psychiatry) in order to know why. I have little repsect for psychiatrists. They drug and drug and drug and don’t try anything else. They are MDs, so that’s why.)

That’s not the point. The point is that it can be safer (not safe, but safer) for the lungs.
You are saying that Dr’s now are giving Pot to people who are depressed? If what you are saying is true. We are in alot of trouble. I am sure if you are giving it for stress you have quite a business. Isn’t that great give a person who is depressed, and under alot of stress dope. Add another problem to the mix:rolleyes: If thats whats going on now, this country and these kids today do not have a chance.
 
And the AMA (American Medical Association) relies HEAVILY on the APA (American Psychological Association) when describing mental disorders. In fact, the AMA is helping fund research on the psychological problems associated with abortion. I’m part of the research in my area.

If anyone is interested for arguments sake, abortion does indeed have some longterm psychological problems associated with it. And despite the ignorant rambling of the pro-choicers, it has nothing to do with religion. I have treated atheist women who suffered psychological problems after abortion. So, nothing to do with abandoning God.

I wish women who were seeking an abortion could see some of the women I’ve treated. It positively ravages the mind. I’ve treated teenagers who were straight A students until the abortion. From there, drugs, alcohol and all Fs. Some have been put in jail. Some killed themselves. It’s terrible. It really is. You’d have to see these people to understand.
Hasn’t the Pope like been saying that for like forever! And you yourself just admitted what drugs can do to these kids. The question asked for the million time. Is it a sin to smoke dope. According to the Catholic Church Yes. Why is that so hard for people to understand. We do not make the rules. We just do our best for follow them.
 
Firstly - ‘as harmless as drinking a glass of wine or drinking a coffee’? Not close, and the fact that you would say so demonstrates how ludicrous your position is. It is as harmFUL as smoking cigarettes. So it is in the same class of drugs as tobacco.

No sane doctor or scientist would condone a patient smoking tobacco, similarly they wouldn’t MJ.

What’s the point of relieving anxiety or even symptoms of glaucoma with MJ, when by doing so you’re going to kill yourself with lung, tongue or throat cancer, or at the very least give yourself emphysema? Just as ludicrous as trying to relieve them with regular tobacco smoking. 🤷

Be all this as it may, there’s a more fundamental distinction which must be drawn between alcohol and ALL other drugs. Christ not only USED alcohol, He went further and COMMANDED us to use it. This is something He certainly didn’t do with other drugs.
Like I have repeated in several earlier posts, Jesus made real wine at the wedding of Cana … Jesus drank real wine … a liquid drug. Please … talk to the hand … LOL
 
Medically, marijuana is no more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. It contains about 400 more carcinogens than tobacco, but many of those carcinogens are almost eliminated when you use steam to smoke it rather than fire (they have a special bong you can get which will heat using hot water and then you inhale it that way; I read about it. :rolleyes:)

Alcohol, in excess, ravages almost every system in your body. In moderation, it actually helps almost every system in your body. The same can be said for marijuana. I read a study that claimed, in moderation, smoking marijuana can actually lower your blood pressure. In excess, like alcohol, it will raise it. So, it’s all a matter of moderation vs excess. Jesus drank wine, but not in excess.

I think the only argument that can be made against marijuana is the illegality involved. If you use it in moderation, it can be beneficial. However, if you use marijuana, or alcohol that matter, for any reason other than leisure, it’s psychologically harmful. If you’re using it to get rid of your problems, then, well, that’s a problem.

That’s bold portion is very important to remember.

Health Risks/Benefits:

You cannot overdose on marijuana - period. A 160lb person would have to smoke 900 joints in an hour to overdose on THC. Do you know anyone who can smoke that much without passing out before hitting 15? I don’t!

It does not kill brain cells. Marijuana in fact activates certain brain receptors. There is NO evidence that marijuana kills them, and I can provide over 50 Dutch studies proving it. It increases the alpha-wave activity in the brain. Guess what increase in such activity causes? An increase in creativity! So, if you’re a writer or painter, there you go.

Marijuana does impair memory, but only during intoxication. 12 weeks after users quit, the short-term memory loss typically disappears.

Marijuana does not affect your heart longterm. However, the use of marijuana by people suffering from certain medical problems can be likened to that same person exercising in excess. So, if you have heart trouble, talk with your doctor before lighting up.

It does affect the immune system. In fact, it acts in the same way cortisone acts - as an immunosuppressent. However, they recommend it for some AIDS patients to increase their weight.

And this is getting long, so I’ll stop. Basically, there are SOME health problems associated with marijuana, but very few and none of them especially harmful to healthy people. I think the biggest problem with marijuana is the risk of cancer, which, like I said, can be lessened (not reduced completely) with certain devices. No device exists, however, which can deliver pure THC via the lungs.

I really don’t believe it is a sin in moderation, despite what anyone says.
Thank you Neolithic for that very informative posting. It appears that actual common sense is required for those thinking of using or actively using this “recreational/therapeutic” drug. The use of marijuana cannot be put in a vacuum and in absolute terms declared one of those drugs the Church condemns. A responsibile person should and must consider all factors: one’s current health condition, along with associated consequences/ramifications.
 
In the same way drug induced ‘visions’ are not real visions but mere hallucinations produced by the misfiring synapses that the drug causes.
Who had a “drug” induced vision? Not here. Are you speaking from personal experience? LOL
 
Besides which, as a psychologist are you even allowed to prescribe drugs for your patients? And no-one, as far as I know, is allowed medically to prescribe marijuana merely for stress.
Lily, various States throughout the US are changing the law to allow the “medical use” of marijuana. The last I counted, I think there were at least 13 States that have this law on the books. What a minute and that will be up to 14.

So I guess I’m not understanding your question “And no-one, as far as I know, is allowed medically to prescribe marijuana merely for stress.”

Stress is just one condition that some doctors might actually prescribe the “drug” of marijuana to treat it. Why did I feel like there was a huge disconnect in your statement?

I guess this issue is just about as bad for you as the gays/lesbian drive to change the definition over marriage. I can tell you this much, not over my dead body will they change the definition. I do not share your opinion on the seriousness of the use of marijuana. It doesn’t even come close to the other issue I just mentioned.
 
Many doctors recommend it for the treatment of some ailments. And I, as a psychologist, have recommended it for certain people who are overwhelmed with stress. So, your statement is obviously false. There is a large difference between in moderation vs. excess.

And, as I said in my last post, there are ways of smoking marijuana that reduces the amount of carcinogens.
 
And yes, there are some who advocate it. As Dr Timothy Leary and others advocated the use of LSD - which is why I said SANE doctors and psychologists.

There are insane and sinful members of both professions out there too, of course. Abortionists, euthanasers and so on. Not that I’m suggesting you’re insane, merely, as I said, irresponsible.
OOOOoooo … 15 yard penalty … for chop blocking with the intent to break the knee’s of the opposing team’s player …

I would take that posting as a challenge that questions the quality of my mental health. And being irish, my gloves would be coming off … LOL

Neolithic - Are you sane? LOL
 
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ArchAngel15:
ArchAngel, alcohol also does a particular type of “damage” to the person who consumes it. Your argument that because there may be associated damage to the one who uses marijuana is not valid in my opinion. Every drug can be abused or used responsibly … just like alcohol.

Did Jesus encourage others to sin or put an occasion of sin in front of others by making alcohol at the Cana wedding?
 
I think that smoking pot is a sin… just as i can see smoking cigarettes as a sin. one is legal, one isn’t, but that doesn’t really matter. i’ve always looked at it as, your body is a temple of the holy spirit, treat it as such.

my finance used to smoke alot of pot, but knew i wouldn’t date him unless he quit (i didn’t want drugs in my life). since then he has been less nervous and jittery, and has a better memory… he doesn’t even crave it anymore. (when i quit smoking cigarettes i had a worse time that he did quiting weed… but thats a different addiction… one is mental, one is physical)

drinking i dont see how it is a sin though… excessivly drinking, sure… but you know, a couple beers or a glass of wine isn’t horrible.
 
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