Why the LDS Church ‘strongly opposes’ Proposition 207 on recreational marijuana

Opinion: Just because the LDS Church supported medical marijuana in Utah does not mean it supports the legalization of recreational marijuana in Arizona.

C. Dale Willis Jr.opinion contributorView Comments

The church's support for a medical marijuana measure in Utah should not be misconstrued as a half-step to supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Each election, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reminds members and others that we all have the responsibility to become informed about the issues and candidates and to independently exercise our right to vote.

It’s important to point out that the church is politically neutral and does not endorse specific candidates or parties. However, the church reserves the right as an institution to address, in a nonpartisan way, issues that it believes have significant community or moral consequences or that directly affect the interests of the church.

The legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is such an issue. The church strongly opposes Arizona Proposition 207, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative. This is consistent with the church’s longstanding teachings to avoid substances that impair judgment or are harmful or highly addictive, whether legal or illegal.Why the LDS Church ‘strongly opposes’ Prop. 207 on recreational marijuana Is Arizona about to face another exponential increase in COVID-19 cases?Gov. Doug Ducey did not mock Joe Biden, he mocked Doug Ducey

Recently, the church supported the passage of a compassionate and well-regulated proposition in Utah for the use of medical marijuana. The church is not opposed to the use of medicinal marijuana when it is used under the direction of an authorized medical professional. The church’s support for that specific medical m