Is smoking Marijuana morally wrong in a legal setting?

[Jeffe]

More specifically, you’re in a country that marijuana is legal (Let’s say Amsterdam), you do not have the intentions to smoke until you’re “comatose” or “stoned,” rather just relaxed (Much like having 1 glass of wine).

Would this be moral illicit (sinful)? Or is it acceptable as along as you adhere to moderation?

Strictly a hypothetical, I gave up any illegal drug use (underage drinking and marijuana) a long time ago. Plus I’m 24 now, so I can drink

Looking forward to your responses!

 

[philial]

Catholics can have the benefits of marijuana: Protestants can’t.

Reason? Marijuanna isn’t mentioned in the scripture, so no source for them to find approval for it. However, once the Pope says its cool, then it’s universally O.K.

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

More

Looking forward to your responses!

I had a seminar with a doctor on drugs. He made a global view of what happens in the world. In the North Africa, wine and alcohol are forbidden but mariuana is permitted. In come countries of SAmerica, coca is permitted. But attention, some friends of mine who went there say that that has nothing to do with cacaine. It is leaves ofa plant with thousand times less coca than cocaine. everybody chews it. In southern countreies they drink wine and in northern countries more beer and stron beverages. In southern countries you drink one glass at every meal. In northern countries you do not drink during weekdays but on weekdays there are cities completely drunk as I have seen in Bristol, UK.

So, what? it seems it is a human need to take something to relax. But every religion is against excesses.

Amesrtdam was bad example and a bad experiment. Though I have not in full control of the data about the Dutch experiement.

 

[surritter]

I would say that marijuana itself is morally neutral. It is a plant. But to use morally neutral objects in certain ways can be morally wrong:

If it is illegal, then it’s wrong, because of the sin of disobeying authority. But you’re not talking about that.

If it is taken for an evil purpose, then it’s wrong.

Or, if it is taken such that it causes damage to the body, then it’s wrong.

So your scenario seems to tread down this third path, but if you are certain that it causes no damage whatsoever, I would say that there is no sin involved. The tricky part is in asserting that there is nothing damaging about partaking of marijuana! Too many people will end up fooling themselves.

 

[Humupower]

Ask yourself - is smoking marijuana going to bring you closer to God or drive you away from him?
Are you smoking for your pleasure?
Can you use it in moderation? There are substantial health consequences of not doing that. Cancer risks, paranoia, etc. The canabinoids that make marijuana work do all kinds of weird stuff in your brain from a biochemical point of view.

The potential medical “benefits” are pretty over-stated when compared to the benefits of real legitimate pharmaceuticals.

Even if legal, the moral good that can come from it seems pretty limited, and the potential for personal harm is pretty clear.

It is probably not a mortal sin to do it, but I would say that it is morally inadvisable in most circumstances.
Conscientious and responsible usage is an absolute necessity - i.e. not distributing it, not driving stoned, etc.

 

[willofgods]

…]in a country that marijuana is legal (Let’s say Amsterdam)?..]

Last I heard, the Netherlands are making recreational marijuana illegal to non-residents. (To the chagrin of many would-be tourists )

 

[Jeffe]

I would say that marijuana itself is morally neutral. It is a plant. But to use morally neutral objects in certain ways can be morally wrong:

If it is illegal, then it’s wrong, because of the sin of disobeying authority. But you’re not talking about that.

If it is taken for an evil purpose, then it’s wrong.

Or, if it is taken such that it causes damage to the body, then it’s wrong.

So your scenario seems to tread down this third path, but if you are certain that it causes no damage whatsoever, I would say that there is no sin involved. The tricky part is in asserting that there is nothing damaging about partaking of marijuana! Too many people will end up fooling themselves.

Good point, many do convince themselves that no harm no foul from smoking, however, the same could be said for those who indulge a bit too much at dinner. Once again moderation would be key, I’m not saying I’m interested in smoking everyday or even once a month. Just a curiosity. To me, if it’s legal in a land (Ok Amsterdam maybe was a bad example ) and it’s used sparsely than I can’t see how it separates you from God and if anything it could allow a more relaxed state of mind to focus on the Lord.

Everyone brings up some great points and yes in the end just like everything humans do (i.e. food, alcohol, exercise, recreation, etc.) they must practice discipline and moderation.

 

[Jeffe]

Last I heard, the Netherlands are making recreational marijuana illegal to non-residents. (To the chagrin of many would-be tourists )

I’m ignorant to any specific country that allows this so I picked the most well known

 

[Jeffe]

Ask yourself - is smoking marijuana going to bring you closer to God or drive you away from him?
Are you smoking for your pleasure?
Can you use it in moderation? There are substantial health consequences of not doing that. Cancer risks, paranoia, etc. The canabinoids that make marijuana work do all kinds of weird stuff in your brain from a biochemical point of view.

The potential medical “benefits” are pretty over-stated when compared to the benefits of real legitimate pharmaceuticals.

Even if legal, the moral good that can come from it seems pretty limited, and the potential for personal harm is pretty clear.

It is probably not a mortal sin to do it, but I would say that it is morally inadvisable in most circumstances.
Conscientious and responsible usage is an absolute necessity - i.e. not distributing it, not driving stoned, etc.

Sure, just like anything you do you take in risks (medical, moral), if this wasn’t a habitual act and it wouldn’t be to the point of intoxication.

I agree with you as well, if this is an act that separates you from God than in turn it would be wrong, however, if it actually alleviates you from a stressful day (much like a glass of wine) than you could than have a clearer thought process to focus on the Lord.

However, I agree many of those who partake in the drug do not do it for this reason.

 

[philial]

I would say that marijuana itself is morally neutral. It is a plant. But to use morally neutral objects in certain ways can be morally wrong:

If it is illegal, then it’s wrong, because of the sin of disobeying authority. But you’re not talking about that.

If it is taken for an evil purpose, then it’s wrong.

Or, if it is taken such that it causes damage to the body, then it’s wrong.

So your scenario seems to tread down this third path, but if you are certain that it causes no damage whatsoever, I would say that there is no sin involved. The tricky part is in asserting that there is nothing damaging about partaking of marijuana! Too many people will end up fooling themselves.

Would you agree that disobeying authority is not necessarily wrong?

For example, when Catholicism was illegal in England, it produced many saints who cheerfully disobeyed civil authority to remain faithful to the Higher Authority of God!

 

[surritter]

Would you agree that disobeying authority is not necessarily wrong?

For example, when Catholicism was illegal in England, it produced many saints who cheerfully disobeyed civil authority to remain faithful to the Higher Authority of God!

Yes, of course, if something is intrinsically evil, no human command to do it can be followed. I guess I didn’t mention that caveat because it seems irrelevant in this discussion (marijuana itself has no intrinsic morality).

We can never follow an order to commit sin.

 

[Jeffe]

Yes, of course, if something is intrinsically evil, no human command to do it can be followed. I guess I didn’t mention that caveat because it seems irrelevant in this discussion (marijuana itself has no intrinsic morality).

We can never follow an order to commit sin.

Agreed. Like you said it’s morally neutral. Worshiping God would morally good

 

[philial]

Yes, of course, if something is intrinsically evil, no human command to do it can be followed. I guess I didn’t mention that caveat because it seems irrelevant in this discussion (marijuana itself has no intrinsic morality).

We can never follow an order to commit sin.

Fair enough!

 

[stringbeanduck]

Amesrtdam was bad example and a bad experiment. Though I have not in full control of the data about the Dutch experiement.

What evidence have you about that? The Dutch’s drug policies have been far more successful than the U.S.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Smoking pot is immoral for the following reasons:

1. It makes you act stupid.
2. It acts as a dis-inhibitor for sinful unconscious desires, such as illicit sex.
3. Pot can make a person paranoid.

If legalized for medical purposes, it should be sold only in drugstores with a prescription.

“It’s only teenage wasteland”
–Pete Townshend

 

[DaveBj]

Why would any sane person want to deliberately inhale smoke from a burning substance?

 

[Jeffe]

Smoking pot is immoral for the following reasons:

1. It makes you act stupid.
2. It acts as a dis-inhibitor for sinful unconscious desires, such as illicit sex.
3. Pot can make a person paranoid.

If legalized for medical purposes, it should be sold only in drugstores with a prescription.

“It’s only teenage wasteland”
–Pete Townshend
http://gallery.audioasylum.com/cgi/gi.mpl?u=48780&f=maryjane.jpg

First of all, the sign is hilarious

While I agree with how pot CAN make you act, feel, etc. How does it differ from alcohol? Once again, if your intentions are to get “stoned” and forget about life than yes it IS immoral, much like drinking to get “drunk.” However, that is NOT what the initial scenario I described.

Marijuana is just like everything else, we can abuse it, but that wasn’t my question.

 

[Jeffe]

Why would any sane person want to deliberately inhale smoke from a burning substance?

You know, a nutritionist or just about anyone could say the same thing about 90% of the average American diet.

 

[Glennonite]

Smoking pot is immoral for the following reasons:

1. It makes you act stupid.
2. It acts as a dis-inhibitor for sinful unconscious desires, such as illicit sex.
3. Pot can make a person paranoid.

Sorry Sock; I can’t see how morality enters into your conclusions.

Acting “stupid” isn’t good or bad from a ethics/morals standpoint. Acting smart isn’t holier than acting stupid. Stupidity is also simply a matter of opinion. Plus, one could argue that acting a little foolish from time-to-time is good for the soul.

Your second point has a little more weight to it. However, that’s a big maybe. A lot of life is like that. Walking along the beach greatly increases the chances of shark-bite when compared to walking along a mountain ridge. Everything can lead to something bad: lightening-strikes on a mountain, shark-bites at the beach, broken-neck at the skate park. Life is risk; the more risks, the fuller life is. Carpe diem.

Paranoia isn’t even close to a moral state. It is simply unwarrented worry. Two points on that: a) if you are worried that you will be caught with an illegal substance, then you aren’t paraniod; you are using sound judgement. b) the paranoia isn’t from the marijuana, it’s from the legality of the act.

That being said, if I become impared from anything and then try driving a car or piloting a plane or sky-diving from a plane, then I am definately sinning in that I am recklessly endangering myself an others.

Glennonite

 

[Robert_Sock]

Sorry Sock; I can’t see how morality enters into your conclusions.

Acting “stupid” isn’t good or bad from a ethics/morals standpoint. Acting smart isn’t holier than acting stupid. Stupidity is also simply a matter of opinion. Plus, one could argue that acting a little foolish from time-to-time is good for the soul.

Your second point has a little more weight to it. However, that’s a big maybe. A lot of life is like that. Walking along the beach greatly increases the chances of shark-bite when compared to walking along a mountain ridge. Everything can lead to something bad: lightening-strikes on a mountain, shark-bites at the beach, broken-neck at the skate park. Life is risk; the more risks, the fuller life is. Carpe diem.

Paranoia isn’t even close to a moral state. It is simply unwarrented worry. Two points on that: a) if you are worried that you will be caught with an illegal substance, then you aren’t paraniod; you are using sound judgement. b) the paranoia isn’t from the marijuana, it’s from the legality of the act.

That being said, if I become impared from anything and then try driving a car or piloting a plane or sky-diving from a plane, then I am definately sinning in that I am recklessly endangering myself an others.

Glennonite

My points all relate to intoxication, which is a moral value.