Marijuana morally wrong?

[Presence]

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.

I don’t feel like Marijuana falls under this categorization by the Catechism. Marijuana use does not, in fact, inflict very grave damage on human health and life. It is less harmful than Alcohol, Tobacco, prescription drugs, and even caffeine. It has also been shown to be helpful to all types of medical issues besides just cancer patients.

If merely by the qualification that production and trafficking of Cannabis be clandestine then religious practice in many times throughout history could be considered scandalous. The point here being that the laws against use of Marijuana are themselves scandalous and, like the prohibition of alcohol, creates an environment that breads crime.

We’re learning more and more about this herb the more we’re able to study it (which the US gov’t hasn’t even allowed us to do for decades) and discovering quite a few benefits. I don’t think we should allow the politics and shady business of governments like the US influence our morality, in the same way we fight against Pro-Choice policies (though obviously not to the same degree).

What are your opinions and insights about this?

 

[garn9173]

Marijuana use is illegal. That’s all I need to know.

 

[Presence]

So if being Christian was illegal I guess that’s all you’d “need to know”?

 

[Credo_ergo_sum]

It’s not illegal where I live, so that doesn’t apply in my case. Alcohol is drugs too, and I don’t think the Catechism is outlawing alcohol.

 

[CopticChristian]

I don’t feel like Marijuana falls under this categorization by the Catechism. Marijuana use does not, in fact, inflict very grave damage on human health and life. It is less harmful than Alcohol, Tobacco, prescription drugs, and even caffeine. It has also been shown to be helpful to all types of medical issues besides just cancer patients.

If merely by the qualification that production and trafficking of Cannabis be clandestine then religious practice in many times throughout history could be considered scandalous. The point here being that the laws against use of Marijuana are themselves scandalous and, like the prohibition of alcohol, creates an environment that breads crime.

We’re learning more and more about this herb the more we’re able to study it (which the US gov’t hasn’t even allowed us to do for decades) and discovering quite a few benefits. I don’t think we should allow the politics and shady business of governments like the US influence our morality, in the same way we fight against Pro-Choice policies (though obviously not to the same degree).

What are your opinions and insights about this?

Marijuana has therapeutic uses and if you fall into that category you still have to contend with Federal Law.

In a state that allows the use of Cannabis, you can still be prosecuted under Federal Law for something that the state allows.

If you do not qualify for therapeutic use, then until it is legal it is not allowed and falls into the same category as any other illegal drug. The OHCAC asks you to obey the laws. It does not matter what you think…

You would not have asked this question had you spent some time reading Paul’s letter to the Romans…

Be Subject to Government

  1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

I suggest you read your Bible, read and study the Catechism, go to Mass and ask a priest about this…hopefully you can get on track and forget about what you think…

 

[TimothyH]

I don’t feel like Marijuana falls under this categorization by the Catechism. Marijuana use does not, in fact, inflict very grave damage on human health and life. It is less harmful than Alcohol, Tobacco, prescription drugs, and even caffeine. It has also been shown to be helpful to all types of medical issues besides just cancer patients.

If merely by the qualification that production and trafficking of Cannabis be clandestine then religious practice in many times throughout history could be considered scandalous. The point here being that the laws against use of Marijuana are themselves scandalous and, like the prohibition of alcohol, creates an environment that breads crime.

We’re learning more and more about this herb the more we’re able to study it (which the US gov’t hasn’t even allowed us to do for decades) and discovering quite a few benefits. I don’t think we should allow the politics and shady business of governments like the US influence our morality, in the same way we fight against Pro-Choice policies (though obviously not to the same degree).

What are your opinions and insights about this?

Saying yes the first time I was offered pot was the stupidest decision I ever made in my life. I wish I had all that wasted time and money back.

That’s just what society needs - more 24 year old pot smoking Jeff Spicoli college dropouts like I was.

My children have been told that there is a zero tolerance policy for drugs in my home, that if I catch them smoking pot, I’m going to call the police and have them arrested and buy a ZR1 Corvette with their college fund.

-Tim-

 

[jpjd]

It sounds like you are looking for justification to use marijuana recreationally. Is there anything we could say that would convince you not to use it?

You have at least two reasons for not using it:

1. It is against the law.
2. It is against the CCC.

Both secular and spiritual authorities are saying No. What more do you need?

 

[Credo_ergo_sum]

What about countries, like the one where I live, where marijuana use is tolerated by the state? And that passage in the CCC could just as well apply to alcohol.

 

[Presence]

Thank you for your advice, but I still think my reasoning is justified. I’m thinking along the lines of St. Augustine who wrote, “An unjust law is no law at all.” And in this case the evidence suggests the laws are unjust and even criminal.

So what I think and happen to know does have a place I believe. The law may support Abortion ‘rights’ but that does not mean the law is right.

 

[Presence]

Saying yes the first time I was offered pot was the stupidest decision I ever made in my life. I wish I had all that wasted time and money back.

That’s just what society needs - more 24 year old pot smoking Jeff Spicoli college dropouts like I was.

There are plenty of productive people out there who smoke weed. And think there would be more evidence to support this if it were legalized. It’s a harmless drug.

 

[triumphguy]

I wish I hadn’t drunk so much at University either. I wish I could have all that time and money back, and I wish I hadn’t made the mistakes I did!

I don’t think marijuana is any more morally wrong than booze. And it wouldn’t be a gateway drug if it was legal, because you would’t be buying from criminals.

In Canada you can basically carry enough for your own consumption, and you won’t get busted for one plant. It’s treated the same as a traffic ticket. It kinda removes it from the criminal sphere.

However, dealing with criminals is immoral (and dangerous), giving money to criminals is immoral, breaking the law of the country is immoral, even if marijuana itself is no more harmful than booze (and there are valid questions about that).

So, like TH I wouldn’t allow my kids to smoke or ingest marijuana, nor would I allow them to booze and “party.”

 

[Presence]

It sounds like you are looking for justification to use marijuana recreationally. Is there anything we could say that would convince you not to use it?

You have at least two reasons for not using it:

1. It is against the law.
2. It is against the CCC.

Both secular and spiritual authorities are saying No. What more do you need?

I already feel justified in using marijuana, though I do not, I am in the military. What I am trying to do is find a sound reason why I might be wrong, which I don’t think I have yet.

The law has no place in determining people’s personal habits. The law has no place outlawing the use of something that grows naturally. The history of outlawing marijuana is completely unjustified and wrong. Analogous to laws against civil rights were.

The CCC does not apply to Marijuana the way I see it.

 

[Reep]

Marijuana use is illegal. That’s all I need to know.

That is not always a good weathervane. The CCC appears to be speaking of the moral law, not the schizophrenic prohibitions of government which may be wise, neutral or indisputably evil depending on the whim of the state.

The CCC obviously condemns what we would call substance abuse, but I have a hard time trying to read into it that marijuana is a grave moral evil, but tobacco, coffee, tea and especially alcohol are perfectly fine when used in moderation. This applies especially to alcohol which is arguably more destructive than marijuana.

 

[CopticChristian]

What about countries, like the one where I live, where marijuana use is tolerated by the state? And that passage in the CCC could just as well apply to alcohol.

Credo,

In your state and Portugal follow the laws of the state.

 

[CopticChristian]

Thank you for your advice, but I still think my reasoning is justified. I’m thinking along the lines of St. Augustine who wrote, “An unjust law is no law at all.” And in this case the evidence suggests the laws are unjust and even criminal.

So what I think and happen to know does have a place I believe. The law may support Abortion ‘rights’ but that does not mean the law is right.

Presence,

You have a formed opinion. There is no changing a formed opinion. Check back with me in 10 years.

 

[Presence]

You mean when it’s an unformed opinion like what you have?

 

[kbwall]

I don’t view marijuana as morally wrong in and of itself. It is, however, very dumb and just not worth all the trouble it causes.

For one thing, while it is nowhere near as harmful as more serious drugs, it is not without its drawbacks. It messes with your reflexes for a while, even after you’ve come down from the high. Also, it may not cause lung cancer like cigarettes do, but it is very damaging to your lungs. The human body just isn’t designed to breathe in straight smoke like that. Still, one could go on about the health effects many other things we consume has, so this could be a moot point in its morality. Still, something to consider.

It is also nothing short of pure stupidity to smoke it when it is illegal. It stays in your system for weeks to months depending on how regularly you consume it. Which means, it can easily lose your job over it. Even if your job doesn’t randomly drug test, or even pre-employment drug test, almost all places do post-accident drug testing, which means you’re essentially gambling that you’ll never trip and fall on the job. Then there’s the issue of you getting thrown in jail, and all the life drama that goes with that. And for what? Some stupid plant that gives a short feeling of euphoria? IMO, alcohol is way more fun for that purpose and it’s legal.

Many potheads are also extremely annoying, especially the ones that attempt to get political. They act like they’re on some great crusade of liberation. Hello people, it’s a drug. It might not be all that harmful, but at the end of the day, it is nothing more than another drug, another to alter your mind and trick you into thinking you’re having a good/better time.

 

[triumphguy]

I already feel justified in using marijuana, though I do not, I am in the military. What I am trying to do is find a sound reason why I might be wrong, which I don’t think I have yet.

The law has no place in determining people’s personal habits. The law has no place outlawing the use of something that grows naturally. The history of outlawing marijuana is completely unjustified and wrong. Analogous to laws against civil rights were.

The CCC does not apply to Marijuana the way I see it.

The “natural” argument is a naive one.

Cocaine comes from a plant, as does opium and heroin. Hemlock is poisonous. Mushrooms can kill.

However, cocaine and opium can be used to dull pain in a medical setting, or can destroy lives when used recreationally.

“Drugs” can also be created in the body through fear, excitement or anger and aggression.

ALL drugs - including alcohol - change brain chemistry and can create cycles of dependency, addiction and abuse.

Not all drugs are illegal - “bathsalts” for instance.

However, for some people just opening a can of beer could put them in great moral jeopardy.

Apart from it’s legality, and some drugs are legal (or rather, not illegal), what your drug of choice does to YOU is what counts.

 

[Corki]

Thank you for your advice, but I still think my reasoning is justified. I’m thinking along the lines of St. Augustine who wrote, “An unjust law is no law at all.” And in this case the evidence suggests the laws are unjust and even criminal.

So what I think and happen to know does have a place I believe. The law may support Abortion ‘rights’ but that does not mean the law is right.

There is nothing unjust about the laws making marijuana possession and use illegal. Just because you don’t like a law, doesn’t make it unjust Even a law that can be seen as unfair, is not always unjust. An unjust law in terms of moral theology is one that runs contrary to God’s justice. Thus laws that permit abortion are unjust. Laws that limit or prohibit goods such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or even 20oz sodas are not unjust.

 

[CopticChristian]

I already feel justified in using marijuana, though I do not, I am in the military. What I am trying to do is find a sound reason why I might be wrong, which I don’t think I have yet.

The law has no place in determining people’s personal habits. The law has no place outlawing the use of something that grows naturally. The history of outlawing marijuana is completely unjustified and wrong. Analogous to laws against civil rights were.

The CCC does not apply to Marijuana the way I see it.

Presence,

You should realize that in the military you are property of the United States government and if you don’t know this the military does not allow for use of Marijuana.

If the military discovers by test, and they do test, then you will fail a drug test and suffer the consequences therof. I was in the Navy and had random drug testing. You may be dishonorably dishcharged or more since you are using drugs in a Federal facility.

This is my formed opinion based on information that should be incorporated to your formed opinion.