Posted on 01/27/2014 3:23:41 AM PST by markomalley
It is perhaps emblematic of our decadent times that the two most noteworthy legal maneuvers of late, occupying significant time and resources of the the legislative and judicial branches are: providing legal recognition to homosexual unions, and the legalization of the smoking of marijuana. Welcome to the decadent West.
To these legal maneuvers it must be added to other ignominies of recent decades such as no-fault divorce and the horrifying legalization of the killing of the unborn; 53 million dead Americans and counting, plus the untold cost of the destruction of marriage and family as we once knew it.
Maybe there is a certain perverted “Logic” to wanting to legalize getting stoned. People after all need to medicate their anxious and bewildered souls! I say this, of course, tongue-in-cheek.
I think this is the first time I have commented on the increasing attempt to legalize the use and sale of marijuana “in small amounts.” Frankly, there are bigger issues. Most of us know that pot has been around for a while is probably here to stay. Nevertheless our insistence that we legalize its selling and use is not a healthy sign.
I suppose the libertarian in me says, “Why should the government care if people smoke a little weed. But the pragmatist in me says, “The last thing we need is a more widespread use of another mind altering drug that makes people, frankly, stupid.”
A few disclaimers, before I make my main point.
1. Some claim, that alcohol has caused far more harm than pot. This is probably so. But of course alcohol is more widely used, and that surely explains its more devastating effects in our culture. And it hardly makes sense to argue that sanctioning another legal mind altering drug will have little or no effect through traffic accidents and other deleterious behaviors. Of course it will, being out of our right mind is seldom going to produce good effects.
The bottom line is alcohol has been with us almost from the beginning, and is here to stay. It is in a different category that other drugs in that the Scriptures permit, even commend its moderate use, and Jesus made wine and used it for the sacrament of his Blood.
No one would argue that alcohol abuse is a good thing. Why add to the problem with pot?
2. Some say that legal sanctions are not the proper way to deal with drug use. To some degree it is reasonable to argue that incarcerating people with drug problems is not a wise approach. Perhaps it is these more punitive measures that need adjustment, rather then sanctioning the use of marijuana by the removal of most legal obstacles to its sale and use.
3. Some say that laws will not stop the use of pot, it is a cultural trend and people who want to use it will find a way. I will say that law has influenced me. Knowing that something is illegal and carries possible severe legal issues influences my thinking an helps my choice to stay away from such proscribed behaviors, not just with drugs, but other illegal activities too. I doubt I am alone. Law does have a pedagogical (educational) function.
4. I ought to say, I have never even tried pot. Frankly I have never even taken a drag on an ordinary cigarette, not even once. The thought of dragging filthy smoke into my lungs has never had any appeal to me. I like the smell of a good cigar or pipe, or incense but I have no interest in dragging that stuff into my lungs in large and literally choking quantities. That the anti-smoking zealots are not on the warpath about smoking dope is a puzzling silence and probably another example of the self-censorship of political correctness.
But on to the main point, Namely, a discussion I would like to have about the observed effects of marijuana use. I want to say that the reflections I offer, are anecdotal; they are not rooted in advanced statistical studies. Frankly, I don’t have a lot of interest in looking up the statistical surveys on pot use, most of which will be questioned by anyone who doesn’t like the results anyway. I am more interested in having a discussion here about the effects of marijuana use as I have observed them, and to inquire of your own experience with having either used marijuana, or observed others who do.
Some say that pot causes no harm. I disagree from about fifty + years of observation of what I have seen it do to others.
Back in high school (mid 70s) about 30% of the students in my Public High School of 3,500 students smoked dope regularly. They called in “partying” “getting stoned” or “getting high” in those days.
It wasn’t hard to know when someone started using marijuana. Almost instantly their over all attitude changed. Many who had been good students, engaged and talented, started to withdraw, and adopt a passive aggressive stance.
Regular pot use by them, from my observation, caused a kind of lethargy, a sort of laid-back, who-cares attitude often mixed in with a non-complaint resistance: “Hey man, I ain’t got to go to the man’s class…”
The look on the face of pot users came to seem vacant and dull, their eyes glazed and unfocused. Their posture became slouchy, clothing and hygiene suffered. Absenteeism and tardiness increased. And when they were in class at all, they weren’t really engaged or alive. Their faces tended to take on a kind of hang-dog look, jaw half open, hands in their pocket, shirt untucked; they seemed bored with life, and uninterested. Frankly, they seemed “medicated.”
Generally grades dropped and anti-social tendencies increased. Some who had once played sports withdrew when drugs entered. Membership in other clubs also ceased and was replaced with hangin’ out in the smoking court, a place (in those days) set aside for students who smoked cigarettes.
Now mind you these were the after-effects of pot use. I am not saying they were “high” all the time. But long after the high was gone, these lethargic symptoms lingered and became a rather stable part of their disposition.
Except for those who are in more advanced stages of alcohol abuse, the effects of the alcohol abate after intoxication passes (plus perhaps a brief hangover). But pot seems different, it seems to alter the personality more “stably” so that the user is dull even when not high.
Some may call this dullness by more positive labels such as being laid-back, carefree, or cool. But I am sorry, I have seen spiritually serene people, and they don’t come across as medicated. What a spiritually serene person manifests is worlds apart from the dulled medicated look of pot smokers.
Now as I say, this is my anecdotal testimony. But I offer it with fifty-two years experience, 25 of them as a priest and counselor.
Pot is no good. It messes with your mind on a semi-permanent basis, causes lethargy, dullness and makes you unmotivated. Getting “high” introduces a kind of dull and low bottom dwelling when the “high” is gone.
Don’t do drugs. Pot is not harmless, it will change your personality and make you dull of mind and heart. It introduces stinking thinking.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says,
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. (# 2291)
This is pretty unambiguous and something a Catholic ought to take to heart before saying the legalization of drugs is no big deal. And while many say pot is harmless, my experience of observing others is that it is not harmless at all.
How say you? What have you observed?
From my experience you can use alcohol in moderation, have few drunks feel good and go home. When people light up their intention is to get high, stoned, completely baked, gonzo. There is no moderation at all.
There’s a very good reason why they call it ‘dope’.
the penalties for possession and use of pot causes far greater harm to the individual than the drug itself...
that is my stance, and my sole reason for legalization (or decriminalization)...
From MY experience you can use reefer in moderation, smoke a couple of joints feel good and go home. When people
sit down at a bar to drink, their intention is to get high, stoned, completely baked, gonzo. There is no moderation at all
I've never seen anyone just smoke a little, they always go full bore. Again this is my experience only.
Alcohol has about the same absorbtion rate as reefer, but stays a lot longer in the system and overloads the kidneys and other cleansing organs.
A reefer high is zapped when you see the red and blue lights in your mirror.
Drinkers try to talk without a slur ... smokers ask politely what they were being stopped for.
If no evidence in either car ... the smoker has a better chance of sleeping in his bed tonight.
There IS a difference
I guess your a stoner. No talking to your guys.
Sorry to be so short. I guess from my experience if yo have a few drinks you can socialize with others who may not be drinking, relate to people that have had a few drinks too. When i was in high school my friends got baked, and could only relate to the other stoned people. It isn’t a lot of fun hanging around stoned people on reefer when you are not stoned yourself. It is an exclusive club.
You say tomayto, I say tomahto ... let's call the whole thing off
Are we less brothers because we disagree on how to recreate ?
“Are we less brothers because we disagree on how to recreate ?”
+1
A few drinks? That's called inebriation, even if the drinker doesn't realize it.
I weight 180# two gin and tonics and I am not drunk, Come on.
In 2290, the word "drunkenness" appears and when present, is what makes alcohol consumption a grave matter.
The problem is, with pot, just as is described in the article and just as anyone who smoked/smokes it today or in recent times knows, literally one drag and you're high. It's not like alcohol where most normal people can have a sip of whiskey and not be drunk. One "inhalation" and you're high, period.
"High" to the point of being like you're drunk, and that's the connection. It's not like being drunk but you're just as incapacitated, in a general sense. Your coordination may not be impared but other faculties certainly are, and your perception of reality certainly is impared. Again, after only one hit.
That's the answer to your question. IMO. Just as it's a grave sin to get drunk, it's a grave sin to get high. And it's impossible to not get high on pot; this isn't the pot from the 60's or even 70's we're talking here. This is potent stuff.
With all that said, if one smokes it for a valid medical reason and it's legal to do so in one's state, that would not be a sin as it would be the same as taking any therapeutic drug with side effects. (By the way I personally support legalization for that purpose, but only that purpose and not vague, "depression" issues, abused as excuses to consume it like in California, but real, verifiable medical issues that are under a doctor's care and supervison)
Hope that helps.
Very good post.
For thousands of years Western civilization has always rejected pot and hashish, while having an alcohol based culture for health and entertainment and relaxation and socializing, those regions that preferred Cannabis to alcohol, look just like what one would expect them to look like, they look like what we see happen almost immediately to stoners, they become a sort of pod people so similar that it is is like something out of a science fiction movie.
Re #34: Well met, Race.
uh...yep
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: CANNABIS PREVENTS SEIZURES. I’ve suffered with epilepsy throughout my life, from about the age of five. The medications play hell on my body and mind. Cannabis works for me.
You can say it before and say it all you want... if you like smoking pot...go for it. Just don't come up with the "scientific" miracle cure for all that ails the world when half the pot that most people get is cut with who knows what or dusted with another compound to really "get the buzz, bra..'".
It's anecdotal evidence that the marijuana you smoke is what made you stop having seizures. What chemical in the literal buffet of chemicals in the marijuana you are purchasing is the x factor that makes you stop seizing and by what mechanism? Being that you somehow have 100% anticonvulsant success with the special blend that you've come upon. By all means, subject it to a double blinded study with reproducible results and publish your data..... if you can put remember to put down the bong, wipe the Cheetos from the front of your shirt and amble on down to the lab.
Do you also feel that people who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol are not able to compete in the job field?
Well if you operate a gas pump or work with flammable chemicals,work in a hospital with pulmonary patients and high flow oxygen, grain silo or in a coal mine... ya just might want to put down the cig...just saying
I can't think of any job that might be performed better if you drank on the job...maybe you can enlighten me on that one...
Is there any other morality that you would like to legislate? Maybe we can improve society if we court order church attendance?
You can't legislate morality. That's what is so pathetic about the marijuana legalization scam. It's a way for your senses to be dulled and for you to be easier to control. Eh... but if that's what you want... free country, blah, blah, blah.. light up and make sure your kids do to. In fact I advocate everybody in your gene pool should get a 50 gallon barrel in the morning, stuff it full of some choice Chocolope or Super Silver Haze .. maybe get some of those nebulizer machines that asthmatic or emphysema patients use, hook up the face masks and go to town. Cause my family and my self are competing with you for jobs, opportunities and creating wealth... I like it when my competition is chilling out and worried if Taco Bell is having a sale on hard tacos.
they should keep doctors out of the prescribing for marijuana. Then the state becomes the drug kingpin and the doctor is his street pusher.
Good to know. Then I can steal your car and get away with it, right?
More than slight use causes brain changes.
Almost all violent offenders in prison just love their pot.
We don’t need it and it should be hard to get except for the cancer patients.
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