Wednesday, 3 April 2019

Catholic Church continues to oppose recreational marijuana bill

Haidee V Eugenio 

Albert Santos holds a sign in opposition of Bill 32 during a protest at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex in Adelup, March 29, 2019.
Frank San Nicolas/PDN 
 
The Archdiocese of Agana continues to take a stand against legalizing recreational use of marijuana, even after senators passed a bill last week.

The Catholic Church, which is among those seeking the governor's veto of Bill 32, said legalizing recreational pot for adults will make it much easier for young people to use marijuana.

More: Archbishop: Catholic Church strongly against legalizing recreational marijuana
More: Groups lobby governor to either sign or veto recreational marijuana bill

"Archbishop Michael Byrnes and the archdiocese will continue to communicate its warnings of the dangers of drug abuse to our civic leaders, most especially the governor, and the community in general," Tony Diaz, the archdiocese's director of communications, said in the archdiocese's weekly publication Umatuna Si Yu'os.

The statement followed the archbishop's March 25 release of a public statement saying the use of cannabis will only harm the common good, not enhance it. Senators passed the recreational marijuana legalization bill two days later by a vote of 8-to-7.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has until April 9 to sign or veto the bill, or the bill lapses into law on April 10.

Diaz said one of the archdiocese’s many concerns is that with legalization of recreational marijuana, the presence of pot on Guam will increase.

Supporters and opponents of legalizing recreational marijuana use by people at least 21 years old lobbied the governor on Friday. The governor told them that she and her team will do their due diligence and listen to all concerns and views before making a decision.

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