FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 31, 2021

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Adriana Rodriguez
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STATEMENT BY BISHOP NICHOLAS DIMARZIO ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IN NEW YORK STATE

            The Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn, has issued the following statement in response to the New York State Legislature’s approval of a bill legalizing marijuana in New York State, which has been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The Bishop has consistently voiced his opposition to the legalization of marijuana as part of this current debate and during previous attempts by New York lawmakers.

“It is extremely disappointing that recreational marijuana will soon be legal in the State of New York. The science is clear, and we are ignoring it. Marijuana is a gateway drug that is not good for your health and has the same carcinogenic effects that cigarettes do. With this law, more young people will start to use marijuana because they think they are invincible and nothing will affect them.

This is not a good thing for our society in New York or anywhere else. Recreational marijuana also deadens the senses and does not allow us to perform at our peak. Our faith says we should not do anything to endanger our health and our lives. So clearly, this is a law that would put many Catholics at odds with their moral obligations.

I pray for all New Yorkers, but especially our children and young people, who we are putting in harm’s way with the adoption of this terrible law.”

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