Can Catholics use marijuana?

[Melkor]

Ok, so firstly, I am not advocating for smoking weed and getting stoned, nor am I a cannabis user. Never touched the stuff. I am genuinely wanting to the know what the Church's view on this is, and due to the fact that mainstream weed usage has only been very recent, there is not a lot to go on. There seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions regarding the usage of this plant. It seems one priest says yay, another says nay. Technically if you do not abuse it it would seem to be tolerated, much as alcohol is. Or am I wrong? I am not talking about using oil for health reasons, I am talking about the recreational use of.

[Gardener]

The typical argument against recreational use is the supposed loss of the use of reason. Since dosing is not widely known, I can see how this would be a problem.

Then again, I've never really read a cogent explanation for where that loss of reason is apparent. Crapping the bed in a stupor? Saying something you don't mean? doing something you wouldn't normally do "sober" (then what if one does such a thing sober, which they normally wouldn't do?).

I dunno.

But I'd say the big issue is dosing and personal tolerance would be the big issue. Those issues are ignored for medical use due to double effect.

[Melkor]

Exactly. Just like any kind of alcohol. When you drink (I speak for myself) you become a louder, bolder, more vocal version of yourself. But in moderation the Church allows drinking. So following the same line of reasoning the occasional joint is ok? Again, due the potential of an addiction forming I recommend avoiding weed, but it would seem that it is not directly forbidden by Mother Church. It is a touchy subject undoubtedly, much more so than alcohol is.

[Gardener]

Exactly. Just like any kind of alcohol. When you drink (I speak for myself) you become a louder, bolder, more vocal version of yourself. But in moderation the Church allows drinking. So following the same line of reasoning the occasional joint is ok? Again, due the potential of an addiction forming I recommend avoiding weed, but it would seem that it is not directly forbidden by Mother Church. It is a touchy subject undoubtedly, much more so than alcohol is.

Marijuana addiction is less physically disruptive to overcome than coffee, and certainly easier than alcohol.

The only real addiction potential is mental, and that can apply to anything.

Again, the issue is dosage levels and where it pushes a person into loss of reason for a recreational purpose. I've never seen the latter defined in an applicable and non-theoretical manner. Like, no concrete examples. And as far as I know, dosage levels would be dependent on consistency of use, tolerance, etc. Just like booze.

[Daniel]

Probably depends on what you're using it for, the manner in which you are using it, and external circumstances.

Pharmaceia is forbidden. Drunkenness is forbidden. Intemperance is forbidden. Breaking the laws established by legitimate government is forbidden. Scandalizing other people is forbidden.

Legal medicinal use is probably fine, since God did create it for our use after all.

As far as recreational use is concerned, I'm less sure but I'd think it's forbidden. But frankly, I'd think the same thing about alcohol. (Pretty sure we aren't supposed to be drinking alcohol for the sake of its mind-numbing properties, even if we are careful not to get drunk.)

[Melkor]

Truth @Daniel, but I know I have the occasional drink because I enjoy its effects and wish to relax, because I enjoy the buzz. Same can be said for nicotine, and caffeine I am sure. And I am sure plenty of people get scandalized when you have a few beers, so at what point is it them just being timid and scrupulous souls: are you sinning by 'scandalizing' them? Cheers mate!

[Heinrich]

I loved hand rolled tobacco cigarettes.

[Melkor]

@Heinrich I am partial to a nice cigar occasionally. I also dip once in a while (don't tell anyone though)

[Heinrich]

@Heinrich I am partial to a nice cigar occasionally. I also dip once in a while (don't tell anyone though)

Quite simply, I love tobacco. Cigarettes, dip, cigars. So much so, I don't partake. In regards to your OP, which I deviated from, I would stay away and when, and only when you think it might be beneficial for treatment, should you try to consult with a trusted spiritual authority.

Instructive in temperance and war(for when you Canadians invade):

[Melkor]

@Heinrich I am partial to a nice cigar occasionally. I also dip once in a while (don't tell anyone though)

Quite simply, I love tobacco. Cigarettes, dip, cigars. So much so, I don't partake. In regards to your OP, which I deviated from, I would stay away and when, and only when you think it might be beneficial for treatment, should you try to consult with a trusted spiritual authority.

Instructive in temperance and war(for when you Canadians invade):

Nah no worries there our PM is more concerned with destroying his own country. He is also too much of a fag to consider war an option. Plus we would lose big time lol.

[drummerboy]

I loved hand rolled tobacco cigarettes.

I used to smoke hand rolled cigarettes made with pipe tobacco.  You have to let it dry out a bit but very tasty, I still hanker for one all these years later....

[Heinrich]

I loved hand rolled tobacco cigarettes.

I used to smoke hand rolled cigarettes made with pipe tobacco.  You have to let it dry out a bit but very tasty, I still hanker for one all these years later....

You Wisconsin brat and cheese guys are almost as tough as we pork tenderloin Hoosiers. 

We dry out red man and roll it.

[Jmartyr]

I loved hand rolled tobacco cigarettes.

I used to smoke hand rolled cigarettes made with pipe tobacco.  You have to let it dry out a bit but very tasty, I still hanker for one all these years later....

You Wisconsin brat and cheese guys are almost as tough as we pork tenderloin Hoosiers. 

We dry out red man and roll it.

Indiana resident? Where?

[Philip G.]

https://sspx.org/en/news-events/news/smoking-marijuana-sin-3188

It is my opinion that a catholic cannot use it, not even for medicinal reasons.  It is too guilty by association/proxy. 

Every pot head "believes" in using it "recreationally" for "medicinal reasons".  Is every marijuana smoker a pot head?  No.  But, that is indeed the trend.  It is an unholy trinity.  I live in california, and I have come into contact with many pot smokers.   

[Melkor]

Well, we are allowed to be given morphine for medicinal purposes. I should think that, weed being much less potent than morphine, we would be allowed to use it for health reasons. (I am talking about epilepsy and appetite-related illnesses, not some stoner saying he has a condition that he just invented). Recreational use? Not sure, but by all accounts pot has a lesser effect than alcohol. Wouldn't know from experience, just going off of science and hearsay.