Is Medical Marijuana Moral?

I was recently interviewed by Catholic News Agency and the Philadelphia Inquirer about St. Joseph’s University new Certificate in Cannabis Studies. I raised moral questions about this, because, even when legalized for medical purposes, marijuana has been used primarily for “getting high” rather than addressing medical issues. This does not necessarily mean that any use of the cannabis plant is immoral, of course. Using cannabis to get high as a recreational drug is a sin. Its medical use is possible but there are several issues. News articles, however, can only offer soundbites, so I would like to give my fuller response to this issue.

Here is my complete response to the problem of a certificate in Cannabis Studies:

Views on cannabis use are changing quickly in the United States, even though it remains illegal according to Federal law and many state laws. The Church does recognize the therapeutic use of drugs, although medical marijuana laws have been abused for recreational purposes and its use lacks careful medical study and supervision. Accordingly, I do not believe it is appropriate for a Catholic university to offer a Cannabis Studies certificate, because the Church teaches that the use of drugs constitutes a sin against the Fifth Commandment. The impairment of mental functioning strikes at the very heart of our humanity and capacity for free, rational action.This program is scandalous, because the definition of scandal is action that leads another to sin, and the promotion of a certificate in Cannabis Studies will do exactly this, encouraging the further normalization of cannabis use, with a damaging impact on the health of body and soul.

I know that many people argue that cannabis use is therapeutic for pain, although this has not been established medically at this point, and there are numerous studies that cast doubt on its effectiveness in treating pain at all. Cannabis use also increases other health problems, including with the heart. Health risks are particularly severe before the brain completes development and the legalization of marijuana has normalized its use, leading more young people to try it. It has been presented to voters that legalizing marijuana would lead to a decrease of illegal activity in the trafficking and selling marijuana, although this has not materialized. Also, a high number of medical users actually use it for recreational purposes. I do not, therefore, think it is morally appropriate to offer this certificate, because it participates in the use of a harmful substance for either recreational or questionable medical purposes. Financially there are difficulties because cannabis is still illegal under Federal law, and there is still much illegal activity in the distribution of cannabis. In Colorado, for instance, illegal activity has increased, not decreased, since legalization.

If cannabis were proven to be an effective means of combating pain, which is disputed, and it could be administered in a way that could be effectively managed for the good of patients, without leading to long term damage in the life of patients, such as a diminishment in mental capacity, it could, like other substances, be considered moral. Pope Francis has stated that the legalization of drugs will not stop the problem of drug abuse and will lead to further problems. The problems with SJU’s program is that cannabis remains in a gray zone, subject to criminal production and distribution, while also lacking the clear backing and supervision of the medical field. 

Just like any therapeutic drug, cannabis could be used for medical purposes if it was established that it is effective, was legally normalized, and its use was supervised properly by doctors. The way we have legalized medical marijuana, however, has led to a huge influx of recreational users getting medical prescriptions. 10% of adults in Oklahoma, for instance, have a permit to use medical marijuana. Even though Oklahoma voters just rejected legalizing recreational marijuana, partly because they have seen the effects of medical usage, they don’t even need to legalize recreational because anyone who wants it can get it. I saw the effects of marijuana legalization first hand in Colorado and it was the beginning for a serious cultural decline in the State. For a Catholic university to enter into this situation is problematic. If cannabis could be used with better oversight and in way that mitigates against the long term diminishing effects, such as becoming a”stoner,” I would find that acceptable, but I do not see that happening now.