how sinful is marijuana ? does it matter if it is used regularly, abused or in moderation ?  
if used occasionally and with moderation(one or two puffs) how is it any different than smoking a cigarette or drinking a beer/wine.

Where it's illegal, it would be a law that a Catholic ought to obey. There's no moral need to break such a law.

But in itself, I'd guess it's probably not sinful in moderation. That's just my uninformed opinion, though.

As I said, though, Catholics have to obey the law of the land when that law is not telling us to do something immoral. And there's nothing immoral about not smoking marijuana!

I'm not sure where she lives, but its illegal in most of the States (except for "medical" reasons).

I would say that in moderation, like you said "one or two puffs" it wouldn't be a sin, per se, just like smoking a cigar or drinking a beer or a wine every now and then wouldn't be a sin -- BUT, I would not ever smoke any marijuana because I've seen some of my friends start by smoking it every now and then and I've seen their lives slowly degenerate. My friend use to be a good guitarist, but then he started doing drugs, just a little here and there which I think is fine, but then he started progressively increasing the amount of marijuana he smoked, and started doing other drugs like LSD and Ecstasy. He eventually was expelled from every school in the area, sold all his guitars for drugs and now doesn't care about anything but where he's going to get his next drug fix or where he's going to find some sex.

I might add that settings were marijuana is smoked (at parties, etc) usually are sinful and you shouldn't be there anyhow.

I think it all depends are your particular situation. I don't like people who say that smoking and drinking are bad all the time, etc and I think that smoking marijuana isn't that much worse than smoking a cigar -- but, smoking a cigarette or a cigar doesn't usually ruin your entire life, doing marijuana can. Drugs can destroy even the best people's lives -- eventually their lives are ruled by drugs, some may also engage in frequent illicit sex, but after a while the only thing important to them in drugs, they eventually despair and commit ѕυιcιdє or die homeless on the streets.

We are bound as Catholics to avoid all occasions of sin, so for this reason alone I recommend that you not smoke marijuana, or if you already do, then to abandon the practise.

Let's face it -- most people in America consider pot smoking to be a bad thing. Something "losers", underachieving college kids, and "dope fiends" do.

I agree that the law should be followed by default, unless the state is encroaching on one's God-given rights (right to marry, right to teach your children, right to private property, etc.) Pot smoking is NOT something that is so good for you that it supercedes the law of "Caesar".

Just imagine what non-Catholics would think of Catholicism if they saw many Catholics smoking pot illegally -- it would NOT make a good impression.

It is not a sin.  It's just too scary to break the law.

I believe it is an unjust law and should be repealed.

I went to school on the West Coast where pot smoking was normal.  Never, ever did I see the behavior associated with drunkenness among the faculty or grad students.

They ought to crimininalise aspertame; it's probably more destructive.   :bob-marley:

Yes, but unless you become a "farmer", how are you going to guarantee that the pot isn't laced with something dangerous?

It's an unacceptable risk, like skydiving.

I would say breaking a law would be an unacceptable risk, but that aspertame is still worse, LOL.

Also, if you had to be around criminals to buy your pot, not worth the risk.

Obviously you have never lived near Humboldt County :farmer: :farmer:

(don't worry, be happy)

Marijuana is a mood altering substance.  Like cigarettes and alcohol and other drugs.  I don't think most people do just a little bit, at least not over a longer period of time.  

You do not 'use' marijuana like you can with a glass of wine or beer with a meal.  

I think it is often a gateway to other drugs .. it's associated with a self absorbed, hedonistic, lazy personality type. While there are exceptions, I doubt seriously, that someone who is a regular user of marijuana is a real hard working, go-getter type of personality.  

Most people who use this drug find that most things become too much of an effort even if they still manage to get up every day for work.  It's a real motivation killer.

I realize that some people can use it in "moderation" - but I think they are the exceptions and not the rule.  

Much of this could be said for alcohol I guess.  I don't know about legalizing it.   But as long as it's against the law, then no you shouldn't break the law.  If it's made legal, than I guess like everything else, you have to make that decision based on the moral law and other considerations, like being honest with it's effect on you.

But just because something's legal (ie., abortion) doesn't mean it's okay to do it.  

Also, before anyone else feels compelled to argue with me about my observations of what marijuana does to people....I was raised by hippie drugged out parents.  My father graduated from pot to heroin and I grew up in that type of home...drugged out, aimless, self hating and miserable.  You may say that it was the heroin ultimately..and maybe it was.  But he was also a user of pot from his teens and for many decades beyond.  I have not known anyone who used pot consistantly that doesn't have some negative dimension to how they live their lives.

Most who function are doing so at a much lower level than they might have done otherwise.

Plus, when you kick in the faith factor here .... the habit of blunting life's problems with any substance, doesn't exactly make a case for growing spiritually and becoming more dependent upon God and trusting in Him to help you and guide you through life.

Jesus may have drunk wine with his meals (and the wine had much less alcohol in it back then), but do you think he would have smoked marijuana?  And what if they legalize cocaine or heroin?  Is that a good idea, too?  

The fact is for all the talk about "Don't do drugs," I read that about 60% of Americans are on prescription medications.  We are a nation of hypocrites and having access to more drugs legally isn't going to help any of us.


God Bless,
MrsZ

Yes, but unless you become a "farmer", how are you going to guarantee that the pot isn't laced with something dangerous?

It's an unacceptable risk, like skydiving.

and if they outlaw alcohol and cigar smoking next? are we all going to obey that as well?..again,a bit divided......farmers could control it more, but the AGovt has seen fit to manipulate pot to be illegal and hence controlled by CIA,etc....