Is the Catholic Church adjusting its marijuana stance?

The meeting of the Synod on the Synodality of the Catholic Church recently addressed two central issues: the accompaniment of LGBT people and the issue of a female diaconate. In addition, the meeting discussed the structure of the church, all with the aim of shaping a more modern future for the church. As societal norms evolve, institutions such as government and religion have not always been quick to keep up with the times. Often enough, traditional institutions such as churches and government agencies are among the very last to implement reforms based on social change.

Women active in the church have sparked global debate among their millions of followers. Communion after the divorce is also on the table. But is the Catholic Church adjusting its marijuana stance? The answer might surprise you.

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Medical marijuana use is not condemned by the Catholic Church

Before recreational use became widespread, there were initial attempts to demonstrate its medical effects. In fact, medical marijuana is consumed in the United States can be traced until the middle of the 19th century. Since this is the case, it is understandable that the Catholic Church takes a fairly lenient stance towards the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Some over the last few years Prominent church leaders have been vocal in their support of medical marijuana use. While the Catholic Church has come out in support of medical marijuana, the biggest caveat is that the substance is used exclusively for therapeutic purposes.

Recreational use of marijuana is a different story

Although the Catholic Church supports the use of marijuana for medical purposes, its stance is clear that using marijuana for fun still falls under the category of drug use, which is a sin. Pope Francis reiterated this stance in a 2014 speech where he railed against increasing efforts to legalize recreational drugs like marijuana.

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The pope’s stance has since become the Catholic Church’s common refrain when it comes to the issue of recreational marijuana use. Since many cannabis users view marijuana use in a similar light to alcohol consumption, the harsh stance against the substance doesn’t seem entirely fair.

Hypocrisy of allowing alcohol consumption while condemning marijuana

“Any purely emotionally motivated decision to use any substance, including cannabis, is abuse.” In other words, Father Ryan said, when a person does so without any good in mind, and merely the altered state of consciousness as an end in itself then that in itself is an unreasonable benefit.

Although marijuana is strictly forbidden in the Catholic Church, the same restrictions do not apply to alcohol. This fact is ironic considering the harm alcohol can cause to individuals, families and communities. Only drunk driving is responsible for more than 10,000 deaths per year in the United States, which is more than can be attributed to legal cannabis. If cannabis can be banned by the Catholic Church because of the danger it poses, it seems as if alcohol should also be banned.

Will their attitude change soon?

Although their position is currently quite harsh, the fact that the Catholic Church is open to medical marijuana should provide hope that their stance on recreational use of cannabis may change over time.

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The reality is that medical marijuana is still a relatively new concept for many people, including policymakers within the Catholic Church. It’s fair to assume that this could be the factor that contributes to a definitive shift in attitudes toward cannabis in the Catholic Church as these policymakers get younger and grow up in a world where medical cannabis is more widely available.