UOC hierarch comments on OP’s survey on legalization of cannabis

Metropolitan Luke (Kovalenko) of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol. Photo: hramzp.ua

The legalization of cannabis will make Ukrainians lab guinea pigs because the therapeutic effectiveness of marijuana is a myth, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol said on his Telegram channel.

“As a physician, I know that cannabis damages the heart, lungs, reproductive and immune systems, disrupts fetal development, causes mental and physical dependence and has a huge number of adverse factors affecting the human body,” the hierarch noted.

Metropolitan Luke drew attention to the lack of data on the successful use of cannabis. In his opinion, "the effectiveness of cannabis preparations is a myth created exclusively for commercial purposes".

The hierarch expressed surprise at the fact that special medical issues are being raised before the entire nation.

“While there is no reliable information about medical effectiveness and clear indications for use, to launch this process in the country is to transform Ukrainians into lab guinea pigs,” said Metropolitan Luka.

He noted that in addition to commercial benefits, legalizing marijuana also has a spiritual purpose.

“Statistics show that in countries where the use of marijuana for medical purposes is legalized <...> drug addiction is growing from an early age,” wrote the hierarch. “Accordingly, crime and mortality rates are increasing. Any drug other than killing the body has a powerful effect on the soul. The human mental world changes even from a small dose of the drug.

We see that the New World Order is gradually driving humanity into a dark totalitarianism, replacing a real full life with a life consisting of two things – safe sex and drugs. Related to this is the promotion of same-sex marriage and the legalization of marijuana."

Instead of a question about cannabis, the Zaporizhzhia bishop suggested asking Ukrainians about their attitude to gay pride parades and the new gender policy, “that policy that destroys the family – the forge of the Ukrainian nation”.

As reported earlier, the Georgian Orthodox Church called the legalization of cannabis a betrayal of the nation.

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