Religious Organizations Supportive of Medical Cannabis
Religious Organizations Supportive of Medical Cannabis
The Episcopal Church Date: 1982
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: No
Official Language: The Episcopal Church urges the adoption by Congress and all states of statutes providing that the use of marijuana be permitted when deemed medically appropriate by duly licensed medical practitioners.
The Presbyterian Church USA Date: 2006
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: Yes Research: No
Official Language: This resolution declares support for the medicinal use of cannabis sativa (also known as marijuana), and directs the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to actively urge the Federal government to amend and adopt such laws as will allow the benefits of marijuana treatment for such diseases as cancer, AIDS, and muscular dystrophy.
Progressive National Baptist Convention Date: May 2004
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: No
Official Language: Licensed medical doctors should not be punished for recommending the medical use of marijuana to seriously ill people, and seriously ill people should not be subject to sanctions for using marijuana if the patient’s physician has told the patient that such use is likely to be beneficial.
Protestants for the Common Good Date: April 16, 2010
Official Language: Passing [medical marijuana] legislation would be an act of compassion and mercy. Victims of cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and other serious health problems have given compelling testimony that cannabis (the technical term for marijuana) provides relief from pain and suffering. This relief often can come in no other way.
Rhode Island State Council of Churches Date: March 2008
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: No
Official Language: Seriously ill patients whose doctors have told them that the medical use of marijuana is likely to be beneficial should not be arrested for its use and should have safe access to medical marijuana from a non-profit Compassion Center.
Official Language: Resolves to “support federal legislation and regulation to allow the medicinal use of marijuana ... urge the Food and Drug Administration to expand the scope of allowable Investigational New Drug applications ... call for further medical research ... advocate for the necessary changes in local, state and federal law to permit the medicinal use of marijuana and ensure its accessibility for that purpose”; Licensed medical doctors should not be punished for recommending the medical use of marijuana to seriously ill people, and seriously ill people should not be subject to sanctions for using marijuana if the patient’s physician has told the patient that such use is likely to be beneficial.
The United Church of Christ Date: 2002
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: No
Official Language: We believe that seriously ill people should not be subject to arrest and imprisonment for using medical marijuana with their doctors’ approval.
The United Methodist Church Date: May 2004
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: No
Official Language: “Licensed medical doctors should not be punished for recommending the medical use of marijuana to seriously ill people, and seriously ill people should not be subject to sanctions for using marijuana if the patient’s physician has told the patient that such use is likely to be beneficial.”
The Unitarian Universalist Association Date: June 22, 2002
Legal/Prescriptive Access: Yes Compassionate Care: No Research: Yes
Official Language: Make all drugs legally available with a prescription by a licensed physician, subject to professional oversight. End the practice of punishing an individual for obtaining, possessing, or using an otherwise illegal substance to treat a medical condition.