Mexican Cardinal Says Church Doesn't Oppose Medicinal Pot

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Mexican Cardinal Says Church Doesn't Oppose Medicinal Pot

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Dec 20, 2015, 2:39 PM ET

Roman Catholic Cardinal Norberto Rivera says that the church has no problem with the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The cardinal who also serves as the archbishop of Mexico City said Sunday that the church has never had a problem recommending the use of "all elements from nature that can be used to help improve health." He recalled that when he was a child the plant was commonly used for health reasons such as relieving pain.

Rivera was asked about his views on the medicinal use of marijuana at a news conference.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/mexican-cardinal-church-oppose-medicinal-pot-35875790

[MisterP]

1. a lot of the rural clergy have experience with the various herbs they saw used

even Mexico's pharma industry has a "use what grows in the country" mentality--the Pill comes from an inedible yam in Oaxaca

OTOH governments often accuse them of "training the villagers for jungle combat" when they inquire into local plants

[NastyRiffraff]

2. I don't understand why

the church has any business in the marijuana issue at all. Except church "leaders" believe they should be able to dictate their views on any issue, just like the old days.

Someone please save us from the Catholic Church.

[Lordquinton]

3. This is another field in which the church needs to butt out of

When the Spanish came to the new world, they forced the locals to stop eating some of their local foods. Partially because of the spiritual significance, and partially because it was too much like cannibalism. The irony in that last bit is too thick.

[Act_of_Reparation]

4. But do they oppose the medicinal use of loperamide to prevent projectile diarrhea?

What are the theological implications of Procrit? Is my buproprion a sin?

Inquiring minds want to know.