imo the 'Medicinal' use of MJ is beneficial for all those suffering from the fact that there is a fallen nature to mankind.

"Using any substance to "get high" or "feel good" or "forget your troubles" or anything like that is not a good way to do penance and mortify your flesh."

That is exactly why people use alcohol occasionally to forget their troubles for a time. Not everyone is called to mortify their flesh 24 hours a day. If you can do that, you are a better man than I. Maybe you should scourge yourself as well. IT would bring about more of the consistent mortification you desire. We are human beings and forgetting about ones troubles for a time is not a bad thing psychologically or emotionally. As humans if we do not do this, it can cause psychological illness and emotional distress. The fact that people are consistently high strung and overly worried is the reason for the generalized anxiety that afflicts our nation.

i completely agree and this is how i feel.

furthermore, while in confession i asked the father if it was a mortal sin. he simply said it was forbidden by law but he could not tell me for sure if it was a mortal sin. even he admitted this was a tough question/subject.

Show me a quote where it says it is OK to smoke marijuana.

Show me any quote from any Catholic source where the use of any stupefactants at all is recommended or condoned.

Pius IX, Leo XIII, and Pius X all used tobacco. It seems they didn't know that it was dangerous but I think they should have not used it because it's unnecessary pleasure.

http://books.google.com/books?id=5GoAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA250&dq=pius+x+tobacco&lr=&ei=j857Sff8ForONeuE5awE#PPA250,M1

"Unlike many of his brothers, he [St. Pius X] does not disdain the use of tobacco ; he is passionately fond of music, and is himself a musician who, with the aid of his close friend, the famous composer Perosi, may be expected to effect considerable revival of Church music."


http://books.google.com/books?id=fCwEjf8hotAC&pg=PA146&dq=#v=onepage&q=&f=false
During the Pope's [Leo XIII] recent illness, the doctors thought it their duty to prohibit him from snuff-taking. The illustrious patient suffered keenly from this deprivation. The times have greatly changed since Urban VIII and Innocent X vigorously proscribed tobacco, the former Pope going so far as to threaten to excommunicate any one who might take a pinch of snuff within the precincts of the Vatican. The brief issued on the 1st February, 1659, by Innocent X against the use of tobacco was abrogated on the 16th January, 1725, by Benedict XIII, for very good and sufficient reasons. Like Benedict XIII, Leo XIII takes snuff in large quantities, and it is well known that Pius IX used to smoke. A snuff-taking Pope after a smoking Pope! Tobacco is restored to favour in the Church.

Just because Pius X did not 'disdain' the use of tobacco does not mean he used it himself.  Re: Pius IX-- It cannot be that 'well known' that the Pope smoked because this is the first time I have ever read it. I doubt very much that he did.

The remark about Benedict and Leo using snuff in 'large quantities' I do not even believe.

The objections of the 'unco guid ' to tobacco were neatly answered by Pope Pius IX., who, receiving an Englishman of the highest rank in private audience, offered him a cigar.

' You will find this very good,' he said.

' Thank you, your Holiness, but I am not addicted to this vice.'

' It isn't a vice,' cuttingly replied the Holy Father, himself a smoker, ' or probably you would be.'

Leo XIII. does not smoke, but takes snuff.

http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA255&dq=Pope%20Pius%20IX%20smoke&lr=&ei=2t7bSvBFk7A11q2hhgw&id=a7gUAAAAYAAJ&output=text

Amariec,

I would remind you not to form your moral values on the opinions of strangers on an Internet forum. Many people with addictions, whether to drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, wild parties, etc., will find convoluted ways to defend those addictions so that they don't have to feel guilty about not giving them up. The fact is that any activity that you undertake should have as its only purpose that of serving God. After all, that's what this is all about. Serving and pleasing God because you love Him as your Creator and your Father and because you want to join Him and all His Angels and Saints in Heaven.

Examine the use of marijuana or any other stupefactant drug. In what way are you serving God by using it? Could you not find a better use of your time and money? Certainly you could think of many more activities that would please God and show your love for Him.

Think about the money you might spend for that drug. Where does that money go? First, it goes to the dealer. The dealer is a person who is by definition committing an illegal activity--the sale of an illegal drug. By being his customer, you are aiding and abetting his criminality, leading him further into sin and putting him in danger of arrest or being murdered over territory or money. From the dealer your money goes to a supplier, probably a street gang or mafia which deals in other illegal activities such as hard drugs, gun-running or human trafficking. By purchasing marijuana, you are contributing to those activities, too. If you want to see how much harm those gangs and mafias do, read in the news about what's happening down in Mexico. 6000 dead so far just this year in the fighting over controlling the drug traffic. Score an ounce of pot and you just bought part of that "action." Then we get down to the actual farmers who grow the stuff. They are also engaged in a dangerous and illegal activity which you are encouraging by buying their product.

Now let's look at the actual effects of marijuana use. Here's an article from a well-known science website:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/marijuana3.htm

One section starts with:

Cannabinoid receptors are activated by a neurotransmitter called anandamide. Anandamide belongs to a group of chemicals called cannabinoids. THC is also a cannabinoid chemical. THC mimics the actions of anandamide, meaning that THC binds with cannabinoid receptors and activates neurons, which causes adverse effects on the mind and body.

It continues with a list of those adverse effects:

Problems with memory and learning
Distorted perception
Difficulty with thinking and problem solving
Loss of coordination
Increased heart rate
Anxiety, paranoia and panic attacks

Obviously marijuana is harmful. Why would you want to deliberately harm yourself? This is contrary to what St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6,19: Or know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God: and you are not your own? Would you want to harm the temple of the Holy Ghost?

Earlier in the same chapter (ver. 10) Paul states: ...nor drunkards nor railers nor extortioners shall possess the kingdom of God. In Galatians 5,19-21 he condemns the works of the flesh: ...envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I fortell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.
He continues in ver. 24: And they that are Christ's have crucified their flesh, wth the vices and concupiscences. This means that they have put aside their worldly desires and needs for self-gratification in order to please Christ.

You do not need pot. Its effects are the same as drunkenness and stand in the way of the clear-headedness you do need in order to serve God and achieve your salvation. It is a waste of time and money and may lead others into sin and destruction. And it does damage to the temple of the Holy Ghost, of which your body is a part.

Please. Talk to a traditional priest about this. Just because something is not a mortal sin does not mean that we should do it.

Again St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 6,12:  All things are lawful to me; but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.

God bless.

The heresy in Jansenist philosophy has been made manifest through this discussion-- which I did not begin.

imo-- if MJ 'makes' one do anything it is to forget about the things of this world---i do not agree with your analysis. Speaking for myself, MJ has not lead me into any of the debauchery it has for you.

The authority of the Church is higher than anyone in this forum. Until someone can show a condemnation by INQ, Pope, Council, Church Father etc I will assume there is no problem with the substance.

Again-- the Bible actually seems to encourage use of the herb with no prohibition in site.