My Medical Marijuana Use

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gtrguy155

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(I apologize for the novel down below haha. I just felt that I needed to properly explain the situation I’m in)

I’ve had a LOT of problems my entire life controlling my extremely severe depression, anxiety, rage, and emotional problems. They all started for me around the age of 4 and have lasted my entire life until about a year ago (I’m in my mid 20’s). I’m lucky to be alive after 2 almost successful suicide attempts. I’ve been to countless psychologists, therapies, doctors, been locked up in a psych ward, and tried too many different prescription medications to count. I’ve never had much luck with any talk therapy or any pill that helped me at all.
In fact I’m downright terrified of taking pills now because the side effects have been horrendous and a few of them turned me into a crazy person and I ended up having to be arrested (and eventually locked in the psych ward). Deep down this is not who I am. When I’m not in a crazy state of mind, I am a very gentle, kind, loving, compassionate person. I love God and philosophy. I’m smart and I have a lot of things going for me, but this mental illness has been the greatest stumbling block in terms of advancement in life and just staying alive and getting through my day.

About a year ago, when I was in deep depression/suicidal mode, a friend offered me marijuana and after hearing about how much it has helped people in the news, and because of how desperate my situation was I tried it to see if it would help at all and wouldn’t you know it, I felt the marijuana effect but once it went away, for the next 24 hours I was a normal human being!
I have continued to use marijuana and exercise as a means of controlling my mental illness. I now am happy/content in life. I came back to my faith in God and pray all the time now and study the bible all the time now. I just feel like a normal person now. I can work, I can go out with friends. I can do things consistently now. And family members have been amazed at my turn around. I get compliments all the time and it has brought a lot of peace and happiness to my family, friends, and me.

I would like to know what the catholic take on medical marijuana is. For me, I’m scared to cut marijuana completely from my life, because I don’t want to go back to that chaotic hellish life I used to have again but most of all I don’t want to bring that burden back on my family ever again. I also want to make sure I am doing the right thing with God.

I know all the popular bible verses potheads like to use to explain why marijuana smoking is fine with God like:
“Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed…” (Genesis chapter 1) and many others.

I also know that it is a sin to be drunk. As a person who has been drunk and been high before, it seems to me like they are two separate things. When drunk you’re falling everywhere, you’re slurring speech, you’re making stupid decisions and acting like a loud idiot. When you’re high, it seems like you just perceive the world differently, like you notice more around you and you feel more relaxed.

Again, I’m sorry for the novel. I would really like to see what the catholic answer would be on medical marijuana.
Thank you to anyone that replies
 
It is the same as for any other psychoactive drug. If it is legal for your physician to give you a prescription and you are careful to use it in a way that will not have an adverse impact on you, it would be permissible. You do have to be honest, not pretending anything in order to get it. You have to be responsible, not operating vehicles or heavy machinery when your use of the medication might reasonably have you impaired.
 
Medicinal purposes are allowed for.

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…[list removed for brevity]…:
  • 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…
Medicines are great as a help. It would be good if you could eventually wean yourself of the medicines and rely more and more on your relationship with God to get you through. This can take time.
 
gtrguy155 said:
(I apologize for the novel down below haha. I just felt that I needed to properly explain the situation I’m in)

I’ve had a LOT of problems my entire life controlling my extremely severe depression, anxiety, rage, and emotional problems. They all started for me around the age of 4 and have lasted my entire life until about a year ago (I’m in my mid 20’s). I’m lucky to be alive after 2 almost successful suicide attempts. I’ve been to countless psychologists, therapies, doctors, been locked up in a psych ward, and tried too many different prescription medications to count. I’ve never had much luck with any talk therapy or any pill that helped me at all.
In fact I’m downright terrified of taking pills now because the side effects have been horrendous and a few of them turned me into a crazy person and I ended up having to be arrested (and eventually locked in the psych ward). Deep down this is not who I am. When I’m not in a crazy state of mind, I am a very gentle, kind, loving, compassionate person. I love God and philosophy. I’m smart and I have a lot of things going for me, but this mental illness has been the greatest stumbling block in terms of advancement in life and just staying alive and getting through my day.

About a year ago, when I was in deep depression/suicidal mode, a friend offered me marijuana and after hearing about how much it has helped people in the news, and because of how desperate my situation was I tried it to see if it would help at all and wouldn’t you know it, I felt the marijuana effect but once it went away, for the next 24 hours I was a normal human being!
I have continued to use marijuana and exercise as a means of controlling my mental illness. I now am happy/content in life. I came back to my faith in God and pray all the time now and study the bible all the time now. I just feel like a normal person now. I can work, I can go out with friends. I can do things consistently now. And family members have been amazed at my turn around. I get compliments all the time and it has brought a lot of peace and happiness to my family, friends, and me.

I would like to know what the catholic take on medical marijuana is. For me, I’m scared to cut marijuana completely from my life, because I don’t want to go back to that chaotic hellish life I used to have again but most of all I don’t want to bring that burden back on my family ever again. I also want to make sure I am doing the right thing with God.

I know all the popular bible verses potheads like to use to explain why marijuana smoking is fine with God like:
“Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed…” (Genesis chapter 1) and many others.

I also know that it is a sin to be drunk. As a person who has been drunk and been high before, it seems to me like they are two separate things. When drunk you’re falling everywhere, you’re slurring speech, you’re making stupid decisions and acting like a loud idiot. When you’re high, it seems like you just perceive the world differently, like you notice more around you and you feel more relaxed.

Again, I’m sorry for the novel. I would really like to see what the catholic answer would be on medical marijuana.
Thank you to anyone that replies
Click to expand...
Is it legal in your state/country? I started a discussion on this subject matter:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=873886
 
gtrguy155 said:
Yes. It is legal in my state.
Click to expand...
In that case, the morality of use is similar to oxycontin or other drugs with recreational use, addictive potential, serious side effects, and so on. They can be used, but must be used responsibly and as needed. Certainly no one expects people who can benefit from oxycontin, for instance, to suffer because the drug carries risks, makes a person unable to drive a car, et cetera. The patient is responsible to do his part to minimize those risks, though.
 
Chayla said:
Since it’s legal, and you are using it for therapuetic means, than it is NOT a sin.

As a patient, you know what treatment is most effective for you.
Click to expand...
Just to clarify: His self-knowledge is only part of what he needs to make informed and responsible medical decisions for himself. Patients are bound to use prudence, to disclose their condition honestly, and to accept the guidance of the prescribing physician when their legislature requires a prescription. Even when common sense says we do not have enough knowledge to make an informed decision about an over-the-counter drug, we are bound to consult with those who have the knowledge we need.
 
gtrguy155 said:
About a year ago, when I was in deep depression/suicidal mode, a friend offered me marijuana and after hearing about how much it has helped people in the news, and because of how desperate my situation was I tried it to see if it would help at all and wouldn’t you know it, I felt the marijuana effect but once it went away, for the next 24 hours I was a normal human being!
Click to expand...
You are calling this “medical marijuana” but you are *self *medicating, right?
 
gtrguy155 said:
(I apologize for the novel down below haha. I just felt that I needed to properly explain the situation I’m in)

I’ve had a LOT of problems my entire life controlling my extremely severe depression, anxiety, rage, and emotional problems. They all started for me around the age of 4 and have lasted my entire life until about a year ago (I’m in my mid 20’s). I’m lucky to be alive after 2 almost successful suicide attempts. I’ve been to countless psychologists, therapies, doctors, been locked up in a psych ward, and tried too many different prescription medications to count. I’ve never had much luck with any talk therapy or any pill that helped me at all.
In fact I’m downright terrified of taking pills now because the side effects have been horrendous and a few of them turned me into a crazy person and I ended up having to be arrested (and eventually locked in the psych ward). Deep down this is not who I am. When I’m not in a crazy state of mind, I am a very gentle, kind, loving, compassionate person. I love God and philosophy. I’m smart and I have a lot of things going for me, but this mental illness has been the greatest stumbling block in terms of advancement in life and just staying alive and getting through my day.

About a year ago, when I was in deep depression/suicidal mode, a friend offered me marijuana and after hearing about how much it has helped people in the news, and because of how desperate my situation was I tried it to see if it would help at all and wouldn’t you know it, I felt the marijuana effect but once it went away, for the next 24 hours I was a normal human being!
I have continued to use marijuana and exercise as a means of controlling my mental illness. I now am happy/content in life. I came back to my faith in God and pray all the time now and study the bible all the time now. I just feel like a normal person now. I can work, I can go out with friends. I can do things consistently now. And family members have been amazed at my turn around. I get compliments all the time and it has brought a lot of peace and happiness to my family, friends, and me.

I would like to know what the catholic take on medical marijuana is. For me, I’m scared to cut marijuana completely from my life, because I don’t want to go back to that chaotic hellish life I used to have again but most of all I don’t want to bring that burden back on my family ever again. I also want to make sure I am doing the right thing with God.

I know all the popular bible verses potheads like to use to explain why marijuana smoking is fine with God like:
“Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed…” (Genesis chapter 1) and many others.

I also know that it is a sin to be drunk. As a person who has been drunk and been high before, it seems to me like they are two separate things. When drunk you’re falling everywhere, you’re slurring speech, you’re making stupid decisions and acting like a loud idiot. When you’re high, it seems like you just perceive the world differently, like you notice more around you and you feel more relaxed.

Again, I’m sorry for the novel. I would really like to see what the catholic answer would be on medical marijuana.
Thank you to anyone that replies
Click to expand...
I’m glad to hear you are felling better. Since your marijuana was not prescribed by a doctor, I suggest you speak to a doctor. You did not say how you get your marijuana and I won’t guess. Continuing research is going on about the medical effects of marijuana. I would suggest, in your case, getting a full medical diagnosis. Then talk to a priest.

Peace,
Ed
 
maryjk said:
You are calling this “medical marijuana” but you are *self *medicating, right?
Click to expand...
I took the implication to be that the initial use was not medicinal (and may or may not have been legal), but the contemplated use is by a legal prescription. That is normally self-administered, yes.
 
Chayla said:
Since it’s legal, and you are using it for therapuetic means, than it is NOT a sin.

As a patient, you know what treatment is most effective for you.
Click to expand...
-Its not legal to use. We aren’t subject to just state laws and it is still illegal to use according to federal law.
-It being legal or illegal doesn’t automatically make it moral or immoral.
-It could very well be perfectly moral for the OP to use it despite it being against federal law and even if it was illegal in his state. The best person to answer this question for the OP would be his priest who knows him and the specifics of his situation.
 
Everything in moderation my friend, if you consume marijuana and smoke it to the point of yearning it daily and putting it above God and the relationship you’re supposed to be having with Him, it becomes in a way a sin of covetousness.
And don’t forget that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for whom he may consume.
Smoking marijuana spiritually and mentally opens you up to demonic attacks and a loss of your real nature. It leads to other sins like gluttony(when you’re rummaging through your whole house looking for cheetos and mixing them with bagels and ch ocolate and everything else you can find just to quell your munchies). You have to stay sober and vigilant, so you can properly pray, and free your soul of all these negative attacks that you open yourself up to by smoking immoderately.
I used to be a heavy weed smoker as well, I was addicted, and it led me into many problems. It may seem harmless, but you’re damaging your mind and your soul, you are not staying sober and vigilant as the bible says for us to do. Don’t be devoured by the enemy due to smoking pot. It’s simply not worth it. However, in moderation, such as 2 or 3 bowl hits, should suffice to keep you not only medicated and sufficed in your medical needs, but will also keep you in a cool middle ground of staying aware and vigilant towards any spiritual or mental harm the devil may try to afflict you with. Marijuana leads to spiritual blindness if you don’t use it in moderation and wisdom.
 
ahs said:
Medicines are great as a help. It would be good if you could eventually wean yourself of the medicines and rely more and more on your relationship with God to get you through. This can take time.
Click to expand...
And this is why mental illness treatment has such a stigma. Would you tell a diabetic to wean themselves off their insulin and rely on their relationship with God? No, because that is absurd.
 
gtrguy155 said:
I recently saw a doctor who prescribed it and am now using it legally.
Click to expand...
Good, I’m glad, because perhaps it could combine with other medications, cause side effects. They say that when we have ourselves as our own doctor, we have a fool. Even doctors aren’t supposed to treat themselves, so I’m glad you found something that worked, and you are doing it legally, under the attention of a physician. Good for you!
 
UnCatholicBride said:
And this is why mental illness treatment has such a stigma. Would you tell a diabetic to wean themselves off their insulin and rely on their relationship with God? No, because that is absurd.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I wish it could work that way though! 😃
 
UnCatholicBride said:
And this is why mental illness treatment has such a stigma. Would you tell a diabetic to wean themselves off their insulin and rely on their relationship with God? No, because that is absurd.
Click to expand...
Please don’t use logical fallacies, and please don’t misrepresent what I stated. I did not imply that a person with a medical condition which requires permanent medical treatment should wean themselves from it. There are conditions which do not require permanent treatment with medications. Perhaps you missed the fact that I used the qualifier “IF” in my statement. Though, I would be surprised if you honestly missed it since you quoted it directly. 🤷
 
Medical marijuana. What a joke. Whenever we hear the wasters on Judge Judy say ‘oh I have a script for medical marijuana for the boo boo on my finger’ you can hear the snort of contempt across the land. What other medicine do people smoke into their lungs for ‘health reasons’. What a huge joke. Just a lame way of living a lie.

Make it legal of make it illegal like normal thinking people would. Why involve an institution like the medical community that we should expect to uphold an ethical standard of practice. “Oh I just have to take my medicine, man and then chow down on the contents of the pantry. Oh it’s for my health, man. The doctors tell me to suck the toxic smoke it into my lungs because they are highly qualified professionals and care about my health, man” pppffffffftttt. :rolleyes:
 
LongingSoul said:
Medical marijuana. What a joke. Whenever we hear the wasters on Judge Judy say ‘oh I have a script for medical marijuana for the boo boo on my finger’ you can hear the snort of contempt across the land. What other medicine do people smoke into their lungs for ‘health reasons’. What a huge joke. Just a lame way of living a lie.

Make it legal of make it illegal like normal thinking people would. Why involve an institution like the medical community that we should expect to uphold an ethical standard of practice. “Oh I just have to take my medicine, man and then chow down on the contents of the pantry. Oh it’s for my health, man. The doctors tell me to suck the toxic smoke it into my lungs because they are highly qualified professionals and care about my health, man” pppffffffftttt. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
You are incredibly ignorant when it comes to MMJ. There is no proven link between smoking cannabis and lung cancer, and many MMJ patients do not smoke- they consume edibles or they vape.

My father was a MMJ user at the end of his life. It was the only thing that helped with the pain from end stage cancer. He didn’t smoke- he used edibles. The fact that it helped his appetite and helped his nausea to subside was a bonus- especially when it got to the point that he would go a day or two between meals.

It’s not easy to get a MMJ card- and they certainly don’t hand it out for the “boo boos” on fingers.
 
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