The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints views on cannabis
In
Early prohibitions
In August 1915, the LDS Church banned the use of cannabis by its members, and two months later the state of Utah banned cannabis. Some scholars have linked the two events, arguing that cannabis usage by Mormon returnees who had earlier fled to Mexico led the church, and later the state, to make their decisions.[1] Others contradict this, noting that Utah's prohibition laws were part of a larger package of anti-drug laws which happened to include cannabis, but did not indicate a statewide concern.[3]
1971 decriminalization
The decriminalization effort in 1971 was said to be strong in Utah due to the state's high rate of use of cannabis, and the preference of
Response to modern cannabis movement
As medical and recreational cannabis
In a 2010 conference for local church leaders in Colorado,
In February 2016, the church released a statement supporting efforts to legalize
While we are not in a position to evaluate specific medical claims, the Church understands that there are some individuals who may benefit from the medical use of compounds found in marijuana. For that reason, although the Church opposes
SB 73, it has raised no objection to SB 89. These two competing pieces of legislation take very different approaches when it comes to issues like access, distribution, control and the potential harm of the hallucinogenic compound, THC.[7]
In October 2016, the church's First Presidency sent a letter to congregations in California, Nevada, and Arizona (states which were to vote on legalized recreational cannabis in November), urging members to oppose legalization:
Drug abuse in the United States is at epidemic proportions, and the dangers of marijuana to public health and safety are well documented. Recent studies have shed light particularly on the risks marijuana use poses to brain development in youth. The accessibility of recreational marijuana in the home is also a danger to children. ... We urge Church members to let their voices be heard in opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana.[8]
In a 2019 article in the church's youth magazine New Era, the following statement was given regarding cannabis:
Marijuana may be legal for medicinal or even recreational use in a lot of places now, but that doesn't mean that any use is suddenly not against the Word of Wisdom. Medical uses are being studied, but just like many pain medications such as opioids, marijuana is an addictive substance. Such habit-forming substances should be avoided except under the care of a competent physician, and then used only as prescribed.[9]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4222-9299-0.
- ^ "We are in favor of appropriate use of medicinal marijuana, and it's our view that by calling upon our legislature and local leaders, we can quickly find an appropriate resolution." —Elder Jack N. Gerard of the Seventy https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/church-says-yes-to-regulated-medical-marijuana-but-no-to-utah-initiative?lang=eng
- ISBN 978-1-4408-5052-3.
- ISBN 978-0-7619-2387-9.
- ^ "Gehrke: LDS Church's stance on medical marijuana doesn't make sense. Why is it OK for a Nevada Mormon but not a Utah Mormon?". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
- ^ Mormon Leaks (2016-10-02), In Which They Fret Over the Growing Popularity of Marijuana, retrieved 2018-08-22
- ^ Wells, David (February 12, 2016). "LDS Church issues new statement on medical marijuana". KSTU (fox13now.com). Retrieved 2017-03-06.
- ^ Curtis, Larry D. (October 13, 2016). "LDS leaders urge members to vote against legalizing marijuana". KUTV. Retrieved 2017-03-06.
- ^ "Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana". New Era. August 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
Further reading
- Katie McKellar (February 12, 2016), "Research and control at center of marijuana debate; LDS Church issues new statement", Deseret News
- Madison Margolin (March 8, 2016), "How Mormons Are Leading Utah's Fight for Medical Marijuana: The church presents a tricky obstacle for patients and advocates in this deeply conservative state", Vice
- Natalie Fertig (June 9, 2021), "How the Mormon church unlocked medical pot for deep red states", Politico