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Marijuana (Decriminalization and Legalization)

Marijuana represents a significant part of substance abuse in the United States and adversely affects the health of many Americans. The widespread use and abuse of marijuana, particularly by young people under the age of eighteen, is steadily increasing while scientific evidence clearly links its long-term damaging effects on brain development.

The Catholic Church teaches that life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God and that we must take reasonable care of them. Catechism of the Catholic Church note 2288. “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense.” Catechism at note 2291.

For these reasons, the Diocese of Manchester has urged state legislators to reject efforts to legalize marijuana.

Opposing the legalization of marijuana (Bob Dunn testimony)

Testimony:

HB 1633 - Legalization of Marijuana - January 17, 2024

HB 639 - Legalization of Marijuana - April 20, 2023

HB 639 - Legalization of Marijuana - January 24, 2023

HB 1598 - Legalization of Marijuana - April 20, 2022

HB 1598 Legalization of Marijuana - February 25, 2022

HB 1663 Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis - February 12, 2020

HB 481 Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis – February 5, 2019

Resources:

"Behavioral Health Trends in the United States: Results from the 2014 Survey on Drug Use and Health." Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2015. 

Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, "The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado, The Impact" Volume 4, September 2016.