California rejects marijuana legalization, suspension of environmental law
November 03, 2010
California voters on November 2 rejected ballot measures that would have legalized marijuana and suspended a state law that mandates greenhouse gas reductions.
The state’s bishops had noted that the use of marijuana is “incompatible with Christian morality” and warned that its legalization “could have severe unintended consequences impacting the safety of highways, workplaces, and communities.”
In addition, Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton had said that the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were warranted because of mankind’s duty to protect creation. Citing the poor air quality in his diocese, Bishop Blaire had urged Catholics “to engage in serious moral reflection on our common responsibility for stewardship of the environment.”
“We are accountable to God and to one another for this stewardship,” he added. “Catholic social teaching locates this responsibility in three areas: towards the poor, towards future generations, and towards humanity as a whole.”
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Further information:
- California rejects pot measure while global-warming measure falters (Los Angeles Times)
- State's bishops post 'Proposition Guide,' voice concern for Props. 19, 23 (The Tidings)
- California bishops concerned about ballot initiative to legalize marijuana (CWN, 10/22)
- California bishop opposes ballot measure to delay environmental rules (CWN, 10/13)
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Nov. 03, 2010 8:47 PM ET USA
Meanwhile, pro-abortion senator Barbara Boxer has been re-elected, and pro-abortion "Catholic" Jerry Brown has been elected Governor, while California's bishops said, and still say, nothing. And Bishop Blaire, you'll indeed be happier when AB32 is fully implemented. Jobs will vanish, the California economy will tank while the rest of the country rebounds, and working people will flee to other states. That will certainly clear Stockton's air!
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Posted by: Mike in Toronto -
Nov. 03, 2010 7:30 PM ET USA
It is good to see such a good, if unusual, balance in Catholic thought -- both the stereotypically conservative rejection of drugs and the stereotypically liberal acknowledgment of essential Catholic social teaching vis-a-vis the environment.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 03, 2010 1:50 PM ET USA
As a California resident I am relieved that the marijuana thing did not pass. Liberal Democrats in general are desperate to find new things to tax, and I was afraid the public would go along. the fact that there is no breath test for driving drunk on weed would surely make drunk driving almost impossible to police.
