Marijuana

[SyroMalankara]

Ad hominem attack eh? My version of Christianity? Fundamentalist prohibitionist?..Uh huh! Seems I’m in good company…how about you? From the CCC; 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.

Therapeutic coffee, tobacco and alcohol use notwithstanding?

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

Which is why I support legal toleration of non-physically addicting, non-life threatening substances. It moves production and distribution to legal, safe, and non-scandalous. Your argument seems to be circular - “it’s illegal because its contrary to law; it’s scandalous because it’s illegal.”

 

[Mark121359]

The thing I love most about Catholicism is that everyone can have their opinions, but we’re all Catholic. So some stranger on the internet thinks I’m a bad Catholic because I don’t condemn people who smoke or use pot? Meh. “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

Fundamentalist prohibitionists might disagree with me, but they aren’t in charge of the Eucharist

I’ve called nobody here a bad Catholic! And I haven’t condemned anyone here who smokes or uses pot. What I have a problem with is someone trying to say that the RCC is O. K. with the decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use. I’ve given you several links of condemnation of this by the Catholic Hierarchy. Can you give me just ***one *** that supports your view? One Cardinal, one Bishop? Heck…I’ll settle for a parish priest already!

Peace, Mark

 

[1newcatholic]

I’ve called nobody here a bad Catholic! And I haven’t condemned anyone here who smokes or uses pot. What I have a problem with is someone trying to say that the RCC is O. K. with the decriminalization of marijuana for recreational use. I’ve given you several links of condemnation of this by the Catholic Hierarchy. Can you give me just ***one *** that supports your view? One Cardinal, one Bishop? Heck…I’ll settle for a parish priest already!

Peace, Mark

I have spoken to a priest or two about this issue. They counsel moderation and discretion, to give no occasion for stumbling to the brethren. But that was in Berkeley. We’re inundated with weed here. We’re very aware of the strong presence of pot in our micro-culture. People around here are so used to pot that there is an attitude of pragmatic responsibility among the Catholics (that I know) who use pot.

As the laws and attitudes start to change, lots of places will be adjusting to marijuana for the first time. Lots of conservatives, including priests and leaders of the church, don’t have the kind of hands-on experience with marijuana that we have in the Bay Area. There will definitely be people who condemn marijuana and its users, and lots of blog writers and article writers who will keep the flock safely ensconced in their culture bubble, rather than expose them to the dangers of permissiveness. And let’s be honest–there are dangers. Any time the rules change, there will be people who go overboard.

But let’s also be honest about what you were saying–any “serious” Catholic with a properly formed conscience should immediately recognize the error of enjoying weed. That’s your claim, right? That sounds like a qualitative judgment against Catholics who disagree with you, as though they are obviously flawed. You don’t think that’s the message you were sending?

 

[SyroMalankara]

Does Decriminalization work to reduce overall drug use, crime, spread of disease? It’s not a guessing game, it has worked and will work:

content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1893946,00.html

The Church is opposed to alcohol intoxication, drunkenness and all the ills that go with it. We have seen how prohibition creates mafia, causes unregulated alcohol sales, leads to more crime and death.

I don’t support promoting marijuana use, but decriminalization is the best method of prevention and least collateral damage. This is a proven fact time and again.

 

[SquallLeonheart]

Once again, I interject to say that Alcohol is INFINITELY worse and more dangerous than Marijuana could ever be. This is the fact. Sadly, we are bombarded by how normal and acceptable it is to drink alcohol and how bad and evil it is to use marijuana, but:

.One Kills People. One does not. Guess Which One.

Alcohol abuse kills 2.5 million people worldwide each year. The green stuff has led to exactly zero recorded deaths. Ever

 

[Mark121359]

But let’s also be honest about what you were saying–any “serious” Catholic with a properly formed conscience should immediately recognize the error of enjoying weed. That’s your claim, right? That sounds like a qualitative judgment against Catholics who disagree with you, as though they are obviously flawed. You don’t think that’s the message you were sending?

I would say the same thing about abortion, homosexual sins or you name it. That any serious Catholic with a properly formed conscience should immediately recognize the error in theses grave offenses. And that is not calling one who doesn’t hold to these views a bad person or judging them as a flawed person. But it is to say that that person is flawed in their thinking and their beliefs. And that their thinking and beliefs are not in keeping with Church teachings. But that is a far cry from saying to someone; “you’re a bad Catholic!”…which never was or never is my intention.

Peace, Mark

 

[1newcatholic]

I would say the same thing about abortion, homosexual sins or you name it. That any serious Catholic with a properly formed conscience should immediately recognize the error in theses grave offenses. And that is not calling one who doesn’t hold to these views a bad person or judging them as a flawed person. But it is to say that that person is flawed in their thinking and their beliefs. And that their thinking and beliefs are not in keeping with Church teachings. But that is a far cry from saying to someone; “you’re a bad Catholic!”…which never was or never is my intention.

Peace, Mark

I appreciate your intention, but it seems strange that you would group abortion (murder) and marijuana (NOT murder) together in the same category of “grave offenses.”

It’s a good thing we’re taught to forgive our fellow Catholics even with they are “flawed in their thinking.”

 

[1newcatholic]

Once again, I interject to say that Alcohol is INFINITELY worse and more dangerous than Marijuana could ever be. This is the fact. Sadly, we are bombarded by how normal and acceptable it is to drink alcohol and how bad and evil it is to use marijuana, but:

.One Kills People. One does not. Guess Which One.

Alcohol abuse kills 2.5 million people worldwide each year. The green stuff has led to exactly zero recorded deaths. Ever

I agree with you 1000%, but I want to point out that people who have abused marijuana have made irrational decisions while under the influence, including murder, suicide, and manslaughter. Critics of marijuana will inevitably seize these anecdotes, and ignore the fact that alcohol and prescription drugs contribute to fatalities in the same way.

It is safer, or at least more precise, to say that no one has ever died from a marijuana overdose.

As in all things, abstinence is the best safeguard against disaster, and moderation is the most practical.

 

[Mark121359]

***I appreciate your intention, but it seems strange that you would group abortion (murder) and marijuana (NOT murder) together in the same category of “grave offenses.” ***

It’s not me that categorizes this as a grave offense. Again from the Catechism of the Catholic Church;

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.

Peace, Mark

 

[1newcatholic]

It’s not me that categorizes this as a grave offense. Again from the Catechism of the Catholic Church;

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.

Did you know that stress-reduction qualifies as “therapeutic”?

And that clandestine drug-trafficking is different from using legal drugs?

 

[Mark121359]

Did you know that stress-reduction qualifies as “therapeutic”?

And that clandestine drug-trafficking is different from using legal drugs?

1newcatholic, twist it whatever way you want to. If you believe that the Catholic Church supports recreational use of marijuana…then have at it. I’ve given you many links that show otherwise. You haven’t given us one legitimate Catholic site that supports your views that recreational use of marijuana is legitimate in the eyes of the Church. Good luck!

Peace, Mark

 

[Kount_C]

…The vast majority of the Catholic priests and lay people I know drink alcohol…

That’s unfortunate that they decide to live that life style. I’m Strait Edge for life. I have an automatic attack policy for anyone that opens a beer on my property.
Beer is what makes people content with being poor and stupid. Along with Marijuana,
Growing up, I never had any of my parents dealers ask me. How are things at home? Does my selling drugs to your family affect your home life?
Marijuana users are at the bottom of the barrel as far as I’m concerned.

 

[1newcatholic]

That’s unfortunate that they decide to live that life style. I’m Strait Edge for life. I have an automatic attack policy for anyone that opens a beer on my property.
Beer is what makes people content with being poor and stupid. Along with Marijuana,
Growing up, I never had any of my parents dealers ask me. How are things at home? Does my selling drugs to your family affect your home life?
Marijuana users are at the bottom of the barrel as far as I’m concerned.

You must not know many meth users.

 

[1newcatholic]

1newcatholic, twist it whatever way you want to. If you believe that the Catholic Church supports recreational use of marijuana…then have at it. I’ve given you many links that show otherwise. You haven’t given us one legitimate Catholic site that supports your views that recreational use of marijuana is legitimate in the eyes of the Church. Good luck!

Peace, Mark

I was just asking if you understood the meanings of the words you had quoted at me. I’m sorry that alarmed you.

 

[1newcatholic]

That’s unfortunate that they decide to live that life style. I’m Strait Edge for life. I have an automatic attack policy for anyone that opens a beer on my property.
Beer is what makes people content with being poor and stupid. Along with Marijuana,
Growing up, I never had any of my parents dealers ask me. How are things at home? Does my selling drugs to your family affect your home life?
Marijuana users are at the bottom of the barrel as far as I’m concerned.

Your personal experiences with drugs and alcohol sound like they were very difficult. If there is a predisposition in your family history towards addiction and/or drug abuse, you are probably very wise to stay far away from it.

 

[clssalty70]

in my opinion i do not believe the use of marijuana is a sin. It was created by god for us to use, i believe it is a sign that god loves us and wants to be happy. it is the only drug with no known side effects, and no deaths have ever been directly attributed to the use of marijuana. also it as known cancer fighting properties

 

[CHRISTINE77]

Contrary to popular belief, Marijuana is very dangerous for human health. Its possible to drink beer without getting drunk; it is not possible to smoke pot without getting high.

It is if you don’t inhale, like Clinton.

 

[CHRISTINE77]

I don’t personally like marijuana; when I was young and occasionally smoked it, I would get extremely paranoid and that is** not **a very good feeling.

However, I have a sister who has smoked it most of her life, and you would never guess she was high if you met her. I don’t know if because she has smoked it so long that she is immune to the “high” or just knows how to maintain, but it is not apparent at all and she is very lucid and responsible. However, she feels that she could not live her life without it.

I think it should be legalized because it doesn’t really seem to harm people nor do people who smoke it harm other people. If anything, they have bigger consciences than non-users. There is no reason for it to be an illegal drug.

(Now as for people who manufacture and distribute Meth, I think the death penalty is too good for them. That is a horrendously evil drug!)

 

[edwest2]

Just google marijuana rehab. Read what the various sites have to say. They wouldn’t be in business if there wasn’t a need.

Peace,
Ed

 

[PolarGuy]

Some ruminations, from all over the spectrum:

1. If memory serves, I believe the visionaries at Medujorge were shown images by the Blessed Mother of sinful behavior. The images they were shown were of American teens using drugs.
2. Part of my job requires me to work with the mentally ill and their health care providers. Many providers have told me some permutation of “my patient’s mental illness was caused by their cannabis use.”
3. Pot is a gateway drug.
4. I’ve known many pot users – and every one, bar none, was a pickled loser. Some had college degrees from top universities – but none had any ambition; verve; mental acuity or “sharpness.” My perception is that all of those qualities were dulled by the pot.

I hate marijuana; I think marijuana use is sinful; and I think pot users are lowlifes who waste their lives. I’ve been cussed at; called a hater; and worse – which is fine, because one thing I’ll never be is a pothead.