I'm sure no one is surprised the Mormon church has come out against medical marijuana. What gets me is the "religious freedom" lawsuit that, as far as I can tell, is basically an argument that no one in Utah can use marijuana because it is forbidden by the Mormon church. Freedom of religion isn't freedom to force people to abide by your religious convictions.
Mormon Church ramps up opposition to medical marijuana effort in Utah, speaking out publicly
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-utah-medical-marijuana-20180823-story.html
The Mormon Church has played a quiet role in the fight against an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Utah, releasing measured statements and helping to bankroll lawsuits.
But on Thursday, leaders of the powerful Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came out from behind the scenes.
“We are deeply concerned by the history of other states that have allowed medical and recreational use of this drug … and have experienced serious consequences to the health of its citizens,†Elder Jack N. Gerard, flanked by politicians, medical professionals and other church leaders, said at a news conference at the state Capitol.
His comments marked the first time an official from the Mormon Church â€" which has deep roots in business and politics in the state â€" has made a public appearance to voice opposition to Proposition 2, a ballot measure that voters will consider in November. ...
Earlier this month, Walter Plumb, a well known local attorney and active member of the church, filed a lawsuit in state court arguing the ballot initiative would tread on his freedom of religion.
His “religious beliefs include a strict adherence to a code of health which precludes the consumption and possession of mind-altering drugs, substances and chemicals, which includes cannabis and its various derivatives,†the complaint states.
The church’s doctrine regarding health, referred to as the “Word of Wisdom,†asks members to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, tea and “illegal drugs,†though it does not directly address medical marijuana.
The court has yet ruled in the case.
Yeah, I heard about this. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out, what with "religious freedom" apparently being stamped out by us secular types to the point where the government has to step in to save it.
I wonder if all the Mormons do exactly what their church leaders tell them they must do? Or not do, as the case may be?
I know that many Catholics don't follow their church's orders, so maybe the Mormons don't all either.
Of course, a sensible court would toss this out within two seconds of it hitting the judge's desk... but I am not confident in there being sensible courts anymore.
One. Medical marijuana, by virtue of being prescribed, is not an illegal drug, it's a treatment.
Two. Churches do not get to dictate church rules on non-members. Otherwise, it would be perfectly legitimate for me to file a countersuit against the original complainant on the grounds that it offends my deeply held beliefs for people outside the doctor-patient relationship to butt their noses into a decision that's not theirs to make.
Three. Legalized medical marijuana does not mean doing a daily bong is compulsory.
Four. Almighty Bob, I'd ask how a fucking idiot like that got a law degree, but Freddy Phelps was one as are half his inbred horde... yeesh.
It's a shame that perhaps the most beautiful state in the Union is also run by absolute nutcases who think their churches' way is more important than everyone else's, and are not particularly tolerant of foreign groups or ex-Mormons.
Quote from: trdsf on August 23, 2018, 10:28:16 PM
Four. Almighty Bob, I'd ask how a fucking idiot like that got a law degree, but Freddy Phelps was one as are half his inbred horde... yeesh.
Because he is an attorney, I assume there is some kind of strategy behind filing a lawsuit that appears to laypeople like myself to be bogus. Perhaps someone reading this can explain this strategy, if there is one.
Quote from: GSOgymrat on August 24, 2018, 07:48:10 AM
Because he is an attorney, I assume there is some kind of strategy behind filing a lawsuit that appears to laypeople like myself to be bogus. Perhaps someone reading this can explain this strategy, if there is one.
Just testing the water perhaps, looking for weak points, testing the sympathy of the new make up of the supreme court? Or maybe he is just another fanatic that happens to have a law degree. Myself, I would never disregard such a lawsuit, and never anticipate the decisions of the courts. Also with the win gained by the religious right in the baking of cakes, there's bound to be others with their own religious agendas. It's odd when I've understood religious freedom allows for peyote in religious rituals among Native Americans of the South West.
If medical marijuana can be banned on grounds that it violates the religious freedom of Mormons wouldn't all opioid and benzodiazepine medications be similarly banned? All are "mind-altering drugs, substances and chemicals." In 2014 one-third of adults in Utah had a prescription for opioid painkillers. One person dies each day in the state from a prescription drug overdose, a 400% increase since 2000, according to the Utah health department. The toll rises by half again when deaths from heroin are included. Mormons not only are focused on the wrong health crisis, they are ideologically inconsistent.
Quote from: SGOS on August 24, 2018, 10:16:45 AM
testing the sympathy of the new make up of the supreme court?
This may be it. Anything they can get to the SCOTUS is a foregone conclusion. They've stacked the court so that we no longer have that particular check and balance. And they're in the process of stacking all the other federal courts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVXKn3RiVLA
Quote from: Unbeliever on August 24, 2018, 01:29:57 PM
This may be it. Anything they can get to the SCOTUS is a foregone conclusion. They've stacked the court so that we no longer have that particular check and balance. And they're in the process of stacking all the other federal courts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVXKn3RiVLA
Too many voters under-estimate the consequences of Supreme Court nominations. I do not. Wouldn't it be interesting if some non-partisan commission could choose Supreme Court justices. Membership of such commission made up of people who pass psychological tests and score near the center of politics?
Quote from: Cavebear on August 27, 2018, 12:58:23 AM
Too many voters under-estimate the consequences of Supreme Court nominations. I do not. Wouldn't it be interesting if some non-partisan commission could choose Supreme Court justices. Membership of such commission made up of people who pass psychological tests and score near the center of politics?
Excellent proposal. Otherwise eliminate the SCOTUS as an institution ... in memory of Justice Taney (Dred Scott decision).
Quote from: Cavebear on August 27, 2018, 12:58:23 AM
Wouldn't it be interesting if some non-partisan commission could choose Supreme Court justices. Membership of such commission made up of people who pass psychological tests and score near the center of politics?
Even if it started out non-partisan, it, too, would soon be stacked one way or the other. But then, I'm a cynical pessimist, so I could be wrong.
Quote from: Unbeliever on August 27, 2018, 02:26:21 PM
Even if it started out non-partisan, it, too, would soon be stacked one way or the other. But then, I'm a cynical pessimist, so I could be wrong.
I'm thinking any form of government or any government agency will eventually be corrupted for someone's personal gain at the expense of the populace.
Things like that often change very slowly, one tiny step at a time, so no one even notices the changes. Like boiling the frog.
Jeez, what a useful analogy that one is!
Quote from: Unbeliever on August 27, 2018, 02:26:21 PM
Even if it started out non-partisan, it, too, would soon be stacked one way or the other. But then, I'm a cynical pessimist, so I could be wrong.
Yeah, but *I* will be the secret chooser of the committee members. And I'm such a fanatic about fairness, the members will be too.
Quote from: SGOS on August 27, 2018, 03:20:08 PM
I'm thinking any form of government or any government agency will eventually be corrupted for someone's personal gain at the expense of the populace.
Genesis 6:5 - The LORD saw that human evil was growing more and more throughout the earth, with every inclination of people's thoughts becoming only evil on a continuous basis.
Quote from: Cavebear on August 27, 2018, 03:27:09 PM
Yeah, but *I* will be the secret chooser of the committee members. And I'm such a fanatic about fairness, the members will be too.
You forgot the <sarc>
I've seen 'Refer Madness' and marijuana is not a drug to be trifled with. Did you see those actors? Wow. They looked fucked up!
Quote from: ferdmonger on August 29, 2018, 08:41:15 PM
I've seen 'Refer Madness' and marijuana is not a drug to be trifled with. Did you see those actors? Wow. They looked fucked up!
Aren't they the same people that made psa's accusing all gays of being pedophiles?
Quote from: ferdmonger on August 29, 2018, 08:41:15 PM
I've seen 'Refer Madness' and marijuana is not a drug to be trifled with. Did you see those actors? Wow. They looked fucked up!
Yeah. Smoking grass leads to smoking cigs and THAT stays with you forever! So ban cigs and allow the grass.
Nebuchadnezzar used to like eating grass...
Quote from: Unbeliever on September 02, 2018, 05:27:36 PM
Nebuchadnezzar used to like eating grass...
Nabonidus ... a usurper, murderd Nebuchadnezzar's grandson. He left his son, crown prince Belshazzar in charge while he was mentally away.
QuoteThere was a big celebration held in downtown Las Vegas Thursday to celebrate the world's first marijuana museum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypX92oMsPY8
Includes a 24 foot bong - called Bongzilla! ;-P
I'm sure glad the RCC no longer rules the world!
Includes a 24 foot bong - called Bongzilla! ;-P
As long a you can regulate it, ok. Don't know what it's like coming through a 24 ft pipe.
Must be one hell of a hit, though!
This topic reminds me i Miss strom. :(
The reporter described the museum as immersive, but I'd like to know just how immersive?
Free samples?
That's a good place to start.
Maybe a swimming pool filled with bhang?
Jealous of the Native American Peyote church?
Quote from: Unbeliever on September 02, 2018, 05:27:36 PM
Nebuchadnezzar used to like eating grass...
He must have died with bad teeth. All those silicates in the grass... Or do you mean he actually ate marijuana? Euphemisms can become confusing.
MJ brownies for all!
Quote from: Cavebear on September 08, 2018, 03:08:11 AM
He must have died with bad teeth. All those silicates in the grass... Or do you mean he actually ate marijuana? Euphemisms can become confusing.
Hmm, the book didn't really say what kind of grass he ate, but maybe now we know why he was perceived as crazy...
Quote from: Unbeliever on September 08, 2018, 03:34:35 PM
Hmm, the book didn't really say what kind of grass he ate, but maybe now we know why he was perceived as crazy...
Well, if MJ was just grass, than all cows would be content. Hmm, they ARE, aren't they? Maybe I should rephrase that. They meant that grass-fed cows make the best steaks, right? "Oh waiter, I'll have the grass-fed rib-eye with 5 bags of potato chips and a quart of onion dip"...