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Mormons, Marijuana & The Word Of Wisdom - Page 3

Why do you need a GA to actually spell it out? They already spoke against the use of drugs they cant be mentioning each one of them otherwise they would take the whole time of GC. People love to rationalize stuff that its plain wrong so those who wanna use it they will continue doing so without guilt.

Wisdom Word and Marijuana Mormons

Name: Andrew

Comments: Hello,

I am a medical cannabis grower and provider so I thought I would chime in

Here is my opinion...I am an active Latter Day Saint in Portland, Oregon. Here in Oregon, Medical marijuana is perfectly legal with state authorization. I have seen medical marijuana save the lives of many, many people over the years. Portland, Oregon is the #1 city in the United States for Marijuana Production per capita. That being said, I have seen the truly beneficial effects that marijuana can provide to it's users who are in need of a truly natural alternative medicine that God has created and ordained for the use of man. God ordains the use of hemp and cannabis in both D & C as well as Genesis as "herb bearing seed." As with any medicine, herb or tincture, cannabis must be used with moderation and good judgement. Even food, when abused becomes a tool of the devil and kills people through heart disease, high cholesterol, obesiety, etc. Cannabis DOES NOT have one recorded death from it's use in all of history. Not one. It is safer than tylenol, aspirin, Ibuprofrin, Oxy, Hydrocordone, vicatin, etc, etc. These so called "safe" or FDA approved drugs in my opinion are POISEN when compared with cannabis, a natural plant whom Jehovah personally created with our Father in Heaven's assistance many thousands of years ago. Some other LDS folks in this thread have mentioned that there must be alternative drugs that would work as well or better without compromising church standing. Nothing could be farther from the truth. That is a perfect example of the brainwashing that big pharmacy companies want you to believe. They want to make billions while people's livers and kidneys are being ruined by pills. Pills are highly addictive, cannabis is not. While cannabis can be slightly psychologically addictive, it is not physically addictive and will not cause physical side effects when not used. I know this to be true from personal medical use. When considering using cannabis as medicine, I am of the opinion that it is absolutely IRRELEVANT that it is illegal in some states. That doesn't matter and should not matter. The only reason it is illegal is because of money hungary folks at DUPONT who invented synthetic plastics that needed to take the place of hemp. Hemp fiber was a crop grown by the early saints that helped the saints survive. Our constitution was written on hemp. George Washington said "Sow the hemp seed everywhere." Hemp and cannabis marijuana are created and endowed for human consumption and use by our Heavenly Father to be used appropriately with great judgment and skill. I feel this to be the truth. I would challenge anyone who says there are "alternative medicines" to cannabis to take a step back and try to actually examine the facts instead of making suggestions that are detrimental to one's health. Anyone who is knowledgeable about cannabis knows that marinol or the THC pills are HIGHLY ineffective because they lack CBD, CBN and a host of other chemicals that work in conjunction with THC to relieve pain, pressure, menstrual pains and a variety of other ailments. UCLA, HARVARD, BERKELY and dozens of others of the United States best universities can also confirm this fact. Dr Toshkin, has been studying cannabis for over 30 years and has recently discovered that cannabis also prevents the growth of cancer and tumors. I would suggest that ANYONE who needs cannabis for legitimate medical reasons is justified in doing so and certainly eligible for a temple recommend as long as a doctor has prescribed it. Check this with your bishop. D & C Chapter 89, verses 10 & 11 "And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs (ie:plants) God hath ordained for the consitution, nature and use of man- Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving."

You may also want to reference Genesis on the use and ordination of herbs to man. As you can see from the quote above, marijuana is ordained for man. It is probably one of the safest and most wholesome herbs on earth. It is non-toxic, non-addictive, and helps asthma, aids, HIV, glaucoma, depression, anxiety, cancer, chronic pain, fiber maialgia, pms, cramps, eating disorders and a million other diseases and conditions. I suggest that folks who need it, prayerfully seek guidance from their Bishop and their Father In Heaven who will let them know their standing through impressions and the Holy Ghost who will act as a concience. I have a cancer patient, whom I caregive for, that will die and wither away without weed. She has tried every other pill known to man and they make her sick and throw-up. Cannabis is a God send to her.The problem, as with anything, is that people are prone to abuse it. So, there must be self-disipline and moderation in use. Once it becomes a vice, it becomes more of a problem. However, if it improve's one's quality of life and helps them to function, it is certainly in my mind approved by our Father in Heaven. Most of these pills that doctors give out are MUCH more addictive, harmful with a plethora of side effects. Anyone who wants to know the truth about cannabis medicine should read the book... "Marijuana MYTHS Marijuana FACTS by John Morgan PHD and Lynn Zimmer, PHD". This is a great read on the misinformation and propaganda our goverment has put out on weed since the 1930's. Remember, it was strictly commercial reasoning that started prohibition. Henry Aslinger was in kahoots with the owners of DUPONT to illegalize marijuana. It was motivated by greed, not true science or health related issues.

Mormons, Marijuana & The Word Of Wisdom Studies Doctrine Mormon

How much weed are you growing?

Andrew the legality is irrelevant, there are so many things that are legal in some places such as abortion, prostitution or what we call here in America illegal drugs, does it make it right? No way.

So all the folks who are hooked to weed they're all hallucinating.

So if instead of living in Oregon you was living in another state where it is illegal you would still take it? You're freaking me out you know what I am saying?

You know in the old times you would know who is a member of the church by the standards they have or even stereotypes you know what am I saying? but nowdays we aint have anymore stereotypes about mormons, we have mormon gays, mormons who dress immodestly in tv shows, mormons who are involved in porn making, and mormons who think taking weed is fine and they all say they're active church members. Geez we're definetely in the last days folks.

Edited: SuzieSu on 20th Oct, 2009 - 4:18pm

Page 3 Wisdom Word and Marijuana Mormons

Name: Andrew

Comments: In response to your inquiries...I am licensed by the State of Oregon, Department of Human Services (DHS) to grow 24 plants per patient. This varies by state. I have one patient who will literally die within a week or so without the medicine I provide to her. Chemo suppresses appetite and there are NO OTHER drugs on earth that will make you as hungry as marijuana.

The reason I think the illegality aspect should be taken out of the equation is this....

As you said, abortion is illegal. Does that make it right? NO.

By the same token, just because something is illegal does not make it wrong, period. If it was illegal to pray to God as it has been in many societies does that mean we should not pray to God or that it's right? Of course not! I would still break the law and pray to God, even if my life was at risk. Now, if my mother is dying and wasting away from Cancer and the ONLY thing that helps her or the most effective means of treatment is cannabis I will gladly support her in medicating herself illegally and feel fully justified in doing so. Sometimes in life, we must follow the greater commandments. Even though we are counseled to obey the law of the land, when it comes to following the golden rule, we know that the golden rule supercedes the other counsel in the same way the Lord's commandent to "be fruitful and multiply" superceded the other commandment to not partake of the fruit of good & evil. Adam and Eve, for our benefit had to choose between the greater of the two commandments and it has been accounted for as rightous. As you know, we are to honor our mother and father and the greatest of the commandments is to Love God and love others. If we truly love others and seek to help them to the best of our ability, we will know the right thing to do.
For you to compare the authorized use of cannabis, as recommended by a licensed doctor, to that of justifying homosexual behavior is Ludacris. That is not a proper analogy. Homosexual behavior is never going to heal anyone and there is no substantiative evidence that it does. It is a known fact, by the Government, the Church, and everyone that cannabis has VALID medical uses that God surely approves and condones it. You have to draw the line between legitimate use and abuse. I do not approve or condone the abuse of marijuana. However, just because it's abused by the majority of people,doesn't mean that it should be illegal or taboo. As you know, the drug oxy is abused more than it's used, yet it still needs to be available for it's users who truly need it. Most oxy users stick a needle in their vein and shoot it up...unfortunately. Same with vicatin, hydro's, valium, perkaset, loraset, etc, etc, etc.
When using cannabis, a latter day saint needs to be honest with themselves and with their maker as to why they are truly using or producing the drug. If it's to help and serve others in a medical application, than it is fulfilling in my opinion the use that God intended for it. And as far as safety is concerned, aspirin kills over 1000 people per year! Same with a host of other "legal" drugs. Our own drug czar and surgeon general has called cannabis the "One of the safest, most theraputically active substances known to man."
If is non-addictive, non-toxic and cannot be overdosed.
And in relation to the addictive aspect, it is not physically addictive as are almost all other synthetic drugs and pain killers. Anyone who says different is ill-informed. I know this to be true. They may have treatment centers for cannabis addiction, but they also have treatment centers for FOOD ADDICTION. Obesiety is a testament to this. So, in response to the addictive properties of cannabis, I would venture to say that it's about as addictive as food at the worst case scenario.
As you know, many people get addicted to video games, football, anything! Many people just are born with addictive traits and they will naturally become psychologically attached to anything that releases endorphins in their brain. As with many other activities, cannabis releases endorphins which makes you feel good. This is what causes the "so called" addiction you speak about.

Please let me know your thoughts,

Wisdom Word and Marijuana Mormons

Good points Andrew. And I fully agree with you. I think most of the people that disagree are simply ill-informed and find it easier to just condemn something because of the media influences.

I'm glad about some of the points you brought up, especially Oxycontin etc. I was just about to do so myself. Do you guys actually know that Oxycontin and Oxycontin variants (such as Percocet) are nothing but synthetic heroin (I know this sounds redundant as heroin itself is synthetic morphine)? In fact, they are far superior to street heroin as their production is cleaner, so the drug is more effective (thanks to the wonders of modern pharmaceutical technology) and more addictive as well. Heroin is a harmful drug. By the standards mentioned by many in this discussion, it is against the Word of Wisdom to use Oxycontin, regardless of whether it is prescribed by a doctor because "it's a harmful substance."
When my wife gave birth an incision had to be made which I think no one will say isn't painful. And my wife has certain drug allergies. Guess what her (LDS) doctor prescribed her? Percocet, a heroin substitute. She got a little bottle with a couple of pills for a bit over a week. According to most of you guys' standards I assume my wife would have to loose her temple recommend. If you look at it this way, can you seriously tell me this is your standard? Above that, you still have failed to substantially make a point that cannabis does violate the Word of Wisdom. The only thing I have seen so far is the "harmful drug" argument which is irrelevant here since we are discussing the medical use of a substance.

Is everyone here aware that in most states the majority of those jailed for drug abuses are jailed for prescription drug abuses? The prescription drugs are medical and important for many people. But some folks discovered that injecting for example Oxycontin, or smoking it (by placing it on aluminum and heating the surface and inhaling the smoke) they can get high easier and safer than by using cocaine or street heroin for example. A lot of these drugs are especially dangerous because they create a physical dependency unlike cannabis which only creates a psychological dependence (which may be overcome, like the food addiction that Andrew mentioned). Is smoking Oxycontin using the drug, or abusing it? General Authorities have consistently warned against substance abuse, not against the medical use of drugs. I have yet to see a General Authority say that medical cannabis is absolutely positively of the devil, let alone actually claim any revelation on that subject (which they haven't on most 'rules' now accepted as part of the Word of Wisdom, like the banning of beer which is inconsistent with v.17 of D&C 89, or John A. Widstoe's banning of chocolate).

Tobacco is banned and a harmful drug (smoking, chewing etc.), yet it has medical application (helps the healing of exterior wounds). Ethanol is prohibited (alcohol in certain quantities is harmful to the liver, drunkenness, etc.), yet is has it's valid medical use (cleans and disinfects). Morphin and Heroin are harmful drugs we are told are banned by the Word of Wisdom via implication (especially Heroin is one of the most dangerous drugs because of the strong physical dependency it creates), but it has it's very valid medical application (Pain killers, helps people sleep; if you think it's invalid have fun getting an operation and not use pain killers afterwards). Now why do you think Cannabis is so very different from the harmful drugs mentioned above? I don't know if anybody checked the U.K. Medical journal I mentioned in one of my posts, but if they did they would know now that Marijuana being smoked (which is very different from medical use which is safer) is less dangerous than all the other drugs I mentioned this paragraph by both addictiveness and potential damage to the body, even despite two of these drugs (tobacco and ethanol) being perfectly legal for recreational abuse .

For further discussion I would appreciate it if those opposing medical cannabis would go back to discussing the actual topic instead of trying to focus on obedience to a ban on harmful drugs which is very different from medical use as has been pointed out, and this point has so far not been properly contested.

Mormons, Marijuana & The Word Of Wisdom

Interesting discussion brothers and sisters. In these two articles one from Church News and the other from President Kimball it seems to me that in the first one (that deals with gambling but talks about medical purpose of marijuana) the church doesn't believe in the whole "medical" purpose of the drug or see it as a dangerous thing. Now this doesn't come from General Conference I know, but Church News is approved and published bu the Church. In the second article it seems to me that President Kimball doesn't believe in the use of marijuana "depending on the circumstances" (medical?). For me, the quotes are clear. It is my humble opinion that medical use of marijuana is an open window for people to get high. Let's read the following and try to hear with our hearts. Please read the first quote in context to know what they're referring to.

Source 6

Source 9

Edited: RominaL on 21st Oct, 2009 - 4:28pm

Mormons Marijuana & Word Wisdom - Page 3

Name: Andrew

Comments: Rominal,

I see your point, however, I have to very strongly disagree. The remarks in church news are referring to the movements pushing for legalization for OTHER MOTIVES. There are many, many, groups whom promote medical marijuana. Some are good, some are less wholesome with other agenda's or combinations. However, the second biggest group of physicians in the USA, the American College of Physicians totally supports the medical marijuana movement. Here is brief article on it... Source 5

Again, as I tried my best to stress in the previous posts, I do not condone the abuse of medical marijuana or getting a legal permit to use it to get "high."
Remember, that these people, EACH AND EVERY one of them whom are using legal cannabis have had a licensed, trained doctor prescribe them the medication. Who are you to question them and their doctor? It's not your place. Have you ever have a relative who was dying of AIDS or cancer? If so, I hope that they were able to improve their quality of life through cannabis. Do you know how hard it is in Oregon to get a medical license? It's not easy. You have to have a very long medical history of your ailment. You must have 3 previous OTHER physicians in the past showing previous methods of treatment. Generally, must have tried using other, so called FDA approved medications first! It is not an easy process and there is a rigorous screening in order to qualify. That being said, I do not think there are very many people who qualify just to get "high." They qualify because they truly have a problem that cannabis can fix.
In your post above, in my opinion, there is co-mingling of total legalization of Marijuana and hard drugs vs legitimate doctor recommended use. I see your point and Kimball's point that cerain movements are moving toward legalization of illicit drugs...and again, I am not promoting that or supporting that. But, at the same time, should a 90 year old Grandma risk FEDERAL prison and loss of liberty over using a medicine her doctor prescribes her? Should a person with muscular dystrophy who needs to ingest marijuana daily for relaxation properties risk their freedom over a plant? This is absolutely insane... It's CRAZY! There has to be legalization for medical purposes so God's children who are suffering can have the relief they need! It is beyond me, that anyone could argue this point. Obviously, you have not seen the positive changes it makes in people who truly need it.
I don't care if 50% of the people who use the medical program abuse it, it's the same with oxy, hydrocordone, etc, etc, etc,. That is irreleveant. It still needs to be available for legitimate purposes without risking a federal indictment. I think we need to look to the scriptures in the Book of Mormon and have more compassion for folks as King Benjamin did. That was more effective model than locking people up away from their families who are smoking a joint to relieve the pressure in their eye sockets from Glaucoma. I think there needs to be sincere prayer and guidance from one's concience in each individual circumstance. I know and have a powerful testimony of the good that cannabis does. And I know that without the cannabis that I provide to my terminal or critical cancer/Aids/ect patients, they would suffer and die due to lack of appetite and a myriad of other reasons.
Point out to me through FACTS that cannabis hurts more people than federally "legal" drugs. Show me proof. Even aspirin, has killed thousands of people. You cannot say the same for cannabis.
As you know, the Bush administration had in my mind a wicked agenda in persecuting medical marijuana users in CA and OR and WA. If you read the LA times or WA post yesterday, you know that Monday, the Justice Department told the FEDS to back off. Now, the medical users are finally getting some justice! This will pave the way for some states to move forward with plans to create officially sanctioned and legal medicinal dispensaries to provide relief for various maladies. Luckily, Obama kept his word. I think critics just lack education on the subject of medical cannabis and need to be informed of the valid uses. Over 20,000.00 doctors now presribe cannabis on a regular basis. It's not just a few "rogue" doctors. It's proven that it helps save people's lives
Now, instead of having to go to the black market and buy it illegally, we now have medical dispensaries that will be able to add some quality control and ethical dispensing similiar to that of a pharmacy.

Mormons Marijuana & Word Wisdom Mormon Doctrine Studies - Page 3

Name: BRUCE

Comments: This is an interesting thread and one close to home. My wife and I are both 53. She suffered a back injury at work and will probably never rejoin the workforce. After much therapy, injections, pills, etc. , she has found that a little marijuana relieves her pain and anxiety and doesn't leave her feeling droggy the next day like the opiate pain pills that the doctor prescribes. She's allergic to aspirin and Tylenol is just too weak.
(By the way...certain strains of marijuana work for depression and anxiety and other don't)
Long story short...
She's taking the forms in next week to our doctor to get on Montana's medical marijuana list. I'll be her provider (grower).
In my humble opinion everything that you can say negative about marijuana, you can say worse about the poisons that the doctors prescribe us everyday.
If we lack the faith to be healed...I think we're supposed to get priesthood blessings and seek treatment with herbs and mild food. (not pills)
Please correct me if I'm wrong here.