Pope Francis On Drug Legalization: Pontiff Condemns Making Marijuana, Other Drugs Legal

While some sectors in Argentina, the United States and other countries are discussing marijuana legalization, Pope Francis has rejected the use of so-called soft or recreational drugs. "I want to say very clearly: drugs are not overcome with drugs. Drugs are evil and we cannot give in to evil." Pope Francis says that there should be "no compromises" in the fight against drugs at the end of a hearing in Rome with key personalities in the anti-drug war.

Pope Francis has taken a strong stance against legalization. "Attempts, albeit limited, to legalize so-called recreational drugs are not only very questionable from a legal point of view, but will not have the desired effect," said the pontiff. "The drug problem is not solved with drugs," he said. He added that he supplied drugs to addicts amounts to "surrender to the phenomenon.'' He also criticized the treatment of drug addicts with psychiatric medication.

The Vatican leader explained his point: "Thinking you can reduce the damage in those people who are using drugs by giving them psychiatric meidcation does not solve the problem," he added. To reject illegal drugs, he said, "one should say yes to life, yes to love, yes to others, yes to education, yes to greater job opportunities. If one says all these things, there will be no place for illicit drugs, alcohol and other addictions.'' Meanwhile, the New York senate is today debating the use of medical marijuana.