"Medical marijuana is an issue of mercy and compassion," said the Rev. Bill Pyatt of the First United Methodist Church of Carthage. "It is the job of religious leaders to give voice to those who cannot speak up for themselves. We pray that the Illinois legislature will have the compassion to stop this war on patients."
More than 60 clergy members in Illinois called on state senators to pass a bill that would allow patients to use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation and without criminal consequences.
Many believe changing the current legislation surrounding marijuana will create a larger conversation about decriminalizing drug use and treating it as a public health issue.
"It stands on its own as a good thing to do," said Rev. Daniel Dale of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ in the Lakeview neighborhood. "If it opens a debate to a larger discussion about criminalization and looking at other issues around drugs ... I would be very much in favor."
Illinois law enforcement opposes the bill, as they have no way to measure impairment and call marijuana a gateway drug.
It should be clear that the "war on drugs" hasn't worked. A punitive approach does nothing to acknowledge the possibility of personal transformation, which is essential to Christian beliefs.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: EURweb.com
Contact: EURweb.com
Copyright: 2009 EURweb.com
Website: Chicago Clergy Fight for Medical Marijuana Use
More than 60 clergy members in Illinois called on state senators to pass a bill that would allow patients to use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation and without criminal consequences.
Many believe changing the current legislation surrounding marijuana will create a larger conversation about decriminalizing drug use and treating it as a public health issue.
"It stands on its own as a good thing to do," said Rev. Daniel Dale of Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ in the Lakeview neighborhood. "If it opens a debate to a larger discussion about criminalization and looking at other issues around drugs ... I would be very much in favor."
Illinois law enforcement opposes the bill, as they have no way to measure impairment and call marijuana a gateway drug.
It should be clear that the "war on drugs" hasn't worked. A punitive approach does nothing to acknowledge the possibility of personal transformation, which is essential to Christian beliefs.
News Hawk- Ganjarden 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: EURweb.com
Contact: EURweb.com
Copyright: 2009 EURweb.com
Website: Chicago Clergy Fight for Medical Marijuana Use
