Posted on 08/31/2017 9:29:54 AM PDT by Kaslin
I’m no saint, nor have I ever professed to be. There are too many people currently living who could give testimony to the contrary should I ever decide to, so I won’t here. With that out of the way (it’ll make more sense later in the piece), there is an area on the issue of this country’s drug laws where Republicans could both do the right thing and win some support.
Let’s be honest: there isn’t much to vote for in the in 2018 midterm elections.
For Democrats it’s all about not being Donald Trump. They aren’t offering up much, just that they won’t be Trump. No one would have suspected them of being remotely Trump, so this isn’t exactly an inspiring message. It’s kind of like running on ensuring the sun will continue to rise in the east every morning. Yeah, sure, but that was always going to happen.
For congressional Republicans, it’s also about not being Donald Trump, though to a lesser degree. Having watched these clowns fumble their 7-year promise to repeal Obamacare and cower in fear of the liberal media, no thinking person was going to confuse them with the president in the first place, so they need a little more than not being Trump to run on next year.
Since big-ticket items appear to be off the list of possibilities, that leaves smaller, but more personal accomplishments available to validate them retaining their jobs.
Luckily for Republicans there are a number of principled stances they could take, and pass legislation on, that would help them make the case that, until they reach some sort of miraculous consensus on, they deserve reelection.
I’ve been writing about them lately, and will continue to do so, because smaller but important accomplishments are at least steps in the right direction.
One of those “baby steps” that the GOP could move on is medical marijuana.
I’m not a huge fan of legalizing pot for fun. I’d be happy to have that conversation once they develop a reliable test to see if someone driving a car is high at that moment or was just high the night before. Only the former should be a serious crime.
I also think if you’re going to smoke pot for recreation in your wayward youth (remember the opening paragraph), you should be required to think about the consequences of that action and the possible ramifications of that choice. (Plus, why should younger generations have it any easier than I did? Just kidding…mostly.)
That said, when it comes to people who are seriously ill, all bets are off. Companies should be free to research the benefits of marijuana without fear of the feds shutting them down, and sick individuals should be able to manage their disease in whatever way makes their lives better.
Moreover, the idea of medical marijuana should be a state issue. States should be free to choose if they want to allow it. The closer the level of government is to the people the more responsive it is to the people.
The current debate is being played out in the appropriations process with 29 states and DC having medical marijuana laws and relying on the federal government not going after them. Since 2014, Congress has blocked prosecution of states allowing medical marijuana by the Department of Justice. The Senate voice voted an amendment by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and is pushing for the House to do the same.
The end of year appropriations bills are likely to determine the fate of medical marijuana prosecutions and whether a new war on drugs is fought by Attorney General Jeff Sessions against states allowing it.
As you might imagine, this idea isn’t wildly popular among some Republicans, but it is firmly rooted in the Constitution.
The 10th Amendment reads, “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” That concept that states have rights and the federal government’s power is limited by our charter document has been ignored by Democrats and the federal government for decades, mostly because feckless Republicans are awful at explaining it as a concept or they don’t really believe it. This gives them a chance to allow people to see it in action, and us a chance to see which GOP members don’t really believe in it. It’s a win-win.
Republicans tried to “free the states” approach with Obamacare, but health insurance is a different creature altogether. People are confused by it, afraid of it, and would prefer someone else make that decision for them. On medical marijuana, it’s a no-brainer. It has wide popular support and even President Donald Trump, himself a teetotaler, spoke out forcefully in support of it on the campaign trail.
And you never know, once people try a little federalism strange things could happen. They might like it, and they might get other ideas. It could, dare I say, be a gateway concept.
Because pot simulates spirituality if used in even small quantities which makes it hard if not impossible to reconcile with God. Smoking pot causes our brains to get it spiritual "fulfillment" in a pot high instead of seeking God.
Drunkness is of course not good, but consumption of alcohol in small quantities doesn't impair our ability to have a real spiritual existence.
Christianity figured this out which is why drug use was taboo in Christianity for so long. The word translated "witchcraft" or "sorcery' in the new testament is the greek word "pharmakeia" (transliterated). The use of drugs among pagans was thought to be mystical or helpful. In reality it was practitioners of the black arts getting stoned and/or getting others stoned. This cut them off from God and allowed demons to influence them....it opens a gateway in our minds that demons exploit which is why scripture teaches Christians not do it.
Now if one removes God and the notion that we should strive to reconcile with God then there is no moral difference between the two. Of course without God and his laws there's no need to respect any morality at all.
Yeah, I used to smoke pot too to get high instead of dealing with my issues....
Of course it will. Why do you think that the overwhelming number of leftists are all for drug legalization? Because they're patriots? Because they believe in the 10th amendment? Or because they know it's destructive to American society and culture?
I am wondering if I can claim it has something to do with reproductive rights and get other people to pay for mine.
There are already 2 cannabis-based drugs approved by the FDA. They’re rarely prescribed by doctors because patients complain about the adverse reactions (and probably because they can’t smoke it).
These are the only drugs approved by the FDA where every single person in a clinical trial suffered adverse reactions. It’s hard to imagine they could be approved today, but who knows.
Considering that marijuana contains more carcinogens than tobacco, and that it affects your mind causing loss of memory and schizophrenia, its hard to understand why anyone wants to increase access to this.
In 1860, New York City made cannabis illegal, but opium and heroin were kept legal. Makes you wonder.
Weeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaakkkk. Most Governorships are up, I guess this fool doesn't care. 10 rat Senators up in states Trump won and a chance to bust out of this disgustly narrow majority that can't even repeal Obamacare.
And this clown is talking about medical marijuana? Medical? The debate has moved passed that to full legalization. Thanks to medical getting it's foot in the door, by falsey claiming that weed is damn panacea.
I’m glad you’re happy dude, but getting high isn’t the same thing as getting better. Best of luck to you.
“Yeah, I used to smoke pot too to get high instead of dealing with my issues.... “
Your use of the false knowledge fallacy is noted.
Since you’re obviously ignorant of medical marijuana in Florida let me clue you in on a couple of things. A) Smokable marijuana is not permitted or sold. B) I use vape cartridges & sublingual oils & drops as prescribed by my doctor.
“Drunkness is of course not good, but consumption of alcohol in small quantities doesn’t impair our ability to have a real spiritual existence.”
Neither does the medicinal use of cannabis in small doses. Christ is Lord whether I’ve been altered by a prescribed medication like Ativan or Prozac for anxiety/depression or by prescribed cannabis oil.
Thankfully for me, cannabis treats my anxiety/depression issues far better than Ativan/Prozac ever did AND I’m able to be more active in our parish to the point of being the bass player for the 10am Mass group. Plus, since I feel so much better these days (Thank you, Lord Jesus), attending Mass is again a joyful experience for me.
“Considering that marijuana contains more carcinogens than tobacco, and that it affects your mind causing loss of memory and schizophrenia, its hard to understand why anyone wants to increase access to this.”
Thankfully, as a medical marijuana patient here in Florida I have access to cannabis infused oils & sublingual drops so no one needs to smoke anything to use it.
I suffered from chronic depression & anxiety for decades. I took all the big Pharma meds in several prescribed combinations with little to no improvement over the years. In desperation, I tried cannabis & thanks be to God in Heaven, it works for me.
“I’m glad you’re happy dude,”
Thanks. I am too. So is my wife.
“but getting high isn’t the same thing as getting better”.
Fallacy! One does not need to get high in order to get medicinal benefits from cannabis. Also, my quality of life is greatly improved (which it is) from using cannabis as medicine & there is an absence of depression & anxiety as a result of using cannabis. In short I am better, whether you think I am or not :)
Of course it will. Why do you think that the overwhelming number of leftists are all for drug legalization?
Because they like to get high? And even if it's because they BELIEVE it's destructive to American society and culture, leftists' believing a thing doesn't make it true.
Are you claiming that "witchcraft" or "sorcery" is a mistranslation, and that it ought more properly be translated as "drug use"? If so: how did every Bible translator get it wrong, while you know the answer?
I’m happy it helped you.
You mean, like the author? If you are going to make a 10th amendment argument then you can't make the distinction between medical and recreational marijuana use. Such a distinction isn't in the 10th.
I gave you the greek word, in scripture, which was translated into the english words "witchcraft" or "sorcery". That word means:
pharmakeia
Thayer Definition:
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaphorically the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
Part of witchcraft has included the use of psychotropic drugs. Drugs which altered peoples perceptions of the world around them.
The bible says specifically that those who practice such things will NOT enter kingdom of God:
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
Gal 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Sorcery..drug use...is ranked right up there with every other fleshly sin. Sins to be repented of. Here's a couple of links that tell about witchcraft and the relationship to drug use.
That definition is not restricted to recreational drugs. Are you claiming scripture prohibits the use of even medicinal drugs?
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
If this is the proper translation, as every bible translator has held, then the use of recreational drugs without sorcerous or magical context or intent is not prohibited.
The original point is that smoking or eating POT is NOT medicine. It's an attempt by the pro "recreational" movement to get pot legalized. Clearly there ARE medicines that can be derived from plants. But "medical" marijuana as it's practiced in the United States is NOT that. It's a bunch of people getting high and getting pot legally on the false pretense that it's medicine.
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it If this is the proper translation, as every bible translator has held, then the use of recreational drugs without sorcerous or magical context or intent is not prohibited.
You misunderstand God's instructions. The point isn't whether or not there is "sorcerous or magical context" (whatever THAT is)...the point is that this use OPENS us up to demonic influence and pulls us AWAY from God no matter what the context these drugs are used in.
Scripture doesn't say that, nor does my observation and experience confirm that.
Thank you :)
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