Greetings. I don’t have the answers so I’m asking the questions and seeking input from others on this topic: Cannabis usage (recreationally speaking since medicinal usage is a different issue related to any other use of a pharmaceutical for therapeutic/medical purposes).
Our Diocesan monthly newspaper had an article about recreational cannabis use in our state which has legalized cannabis for both medical and recreational use. The article cites a release from a letter by the bishops in our state urging Catholics not to engage in the recreational use of cannabis because, according to the bishops it’s “harmful” both on a natural level and a spiritual level.
The letter from the bishops also cited the Catechism which states: “the use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life” and constitutes a “grave offense”.
The article acknowledges that the moral equivalency raised by some in comparing cannabis and alcohol has some apt points, but props up the recreational moderate use of alcohol as being “socially acceptable”. I don’t think that will hold up as an argument in the not too distant future since cannabis in legal states transitions to being “socially acceptable”.
The article also addresses “micro-dosing” of cannabis (e.g. a cannabis gummy or seltzer) and denounces it because it can “pose a risk to one’s physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.” A can of cannabis seltzer being generally regarded as being equivalent in effect to a can of beer.
My questions:
What reason/reasons are there for justifying the recreational/social consumption of alcohol including at church functions such as “Oktoberfests” and “Theology on Tap” rather than advocating for the consumption of non-alcoholic beer and non-alcoholic wine in private life as well as church events? Since non-alcoholic beer and wine exists, why is it ok for Catholics to consume beer and wine recreationally/socially?
Similarly, what argument/arguments are there that support/uphold the consumption of alcoholic drinks rather than simply drinking alcohol free beer and wine that doesn’t alter the mind/mood?
What’s the argument/rationale supporting drinking a bottle of alcoholic beer but being against Catholics drinking a cannabis infused seltzer?
I’m a bit libertarian when it comes to marijuana, so I am sympathetic to your question. However, my wife is in the medical field and she often relates stories of patients that use marijuana and how it has completely re-wired their brains. I, too, in my youth were around people that used marijuana and did seem to effect their brains more severely than my friends that used alcohol (even large quantities of alcohol). Granted, my response is anecdotal, but I’m guessing their might be some research to back this up in the medical journals.
Thank you for your reply. I have no doubt that cannabis can be and frequently is misused and abused. My discussion is presuming a moral equivalency to the moderate and “socially responsible” use of alcohol.
I don’t doubt that your wife sees issues with people who are habitual and heavy users of cannabis. For this topic I’m focused on responsible use in moderation. The “can of seltzer” that are common now even in states that only allow the “hemp derived” federally legal levels of THC.
I don’t believe it’s common and perhaps not possible for the occasional consumption of a cannabis infused can of seltzer to rewire someone’s brain, etc. The drug awareness programs in the 1970’s & 1980’s resulted in being counter-productive for some young people because some such programs used fear tactics and non-factual exaggerations in an attempt to keep kids from trying drugs. The backfire in the approach happened when certain kids realized firsthand that many of the things told to them in school, etc were wrong, exaggerated or simply not true.
Equating cannabis and alcohol used in comparable moderation and in comparable ways (e.g. a can of beer compared to a can of cannabis infused seltzer under the current federally legal hemp guidelines (ie no more than 10mg of THC per can if I understand correctly) means the experience to most people would be similar (ie the “buzz” felt when consuming a can of beer being comparable to the “buzz” felt when consuming a can of seltzer). In this context, it’s hypocritical in my opinion for the Church to condone one (alcohol) and vilify the other as being evil even by the very can.
By the way, I don’t drink cannabis seltzers. Nor, as a rule do I drink alcohol.
I usually have one glass of wine with Sunday dinner. On rare occasions I have one beer. I don’t feel a buzz from either. I guess they do have a relaxing effect, but I don’t agree that they alter my mind. I haven’t driven in 7 years but I would avoid combining alcohol with anything that demands my full attention. Fatigue affects my physical and mental ability more than one drink of alcohol.
So what about Communion? The Precious Blood still has the physical properties of wine. Why did Jesus choose that and command it? I don’t know.