Bishops Oppose Marijuana Legalization

Bishop Edgar Moreira da Cunha, of the Fall River Diocese, joined his counterparts in Springfield, Worcester, and Boston in their opposition to ballot question four that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Catholic Conference released the letter signed by da Cunha and the other bishops urging residents to vote against Ballot Question 4.

The Conference's Executive Director, James Driscoll, told WBSM News that church leaders views marijuana as a potential threat to the area's young people and that in states where marijuana has been legalized the results have been very negative.

"If you look at what's happened out in Colorado, it's quite evident the negative effects that it's had, particularly on the youth," said Driscoll "looking at things like the dropout rates in schools and the automobile accidents caused by marijuana in the bloodstream, it's quite disturbing."

While many will continue to debate whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug to other mpre potent drugs Driscoll says they feel marijuana is harmful enough on its own.

"The studies have shown that it effects brain functioning, it effects reaction time, automobile accidents are up, hospitalizations in the states that have legalized marijuana are up because of the use of marijuana," said Driscoll.

Driscoll says they are joined in their opposition to this initiative by political leaders including Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey.

While they are adamently opposed to recreational marijuana use, Driscoll says church leaders have not taken any stance regarding the use of marijuana for medical reasons.