When Ottawa legalized recreational marijuana in 2018, Canada’s bishops were dubious about claims the new law would sharply reduce youth pot consumption or eliminate the black market.

The Catholic bishops of British Columbia and the Yukon have issued a pastoral statement on legalized marijuana that endorses medical cannabis but stresses that recreational use is contrary to Catholic moral teaching.

Canada’s bishops typically are cautious when passing comment on public policy. So they grabbed our attention when, in the first paragraph of a recent press release, the bishops predicted Canada’s new marijuana law will have “disastrous effects” on society.

OTTAWA – Marijuana use across Canada may soon be legal in the eyes of the law, but it will remain a sin in the eyes of the Church, warn Canada’s bishops.

OTTAWA – Canada’s impending legalization of marijuana puts it on a collision course with the United States, warns a national pro-family women’s group.

VATICAN CITY – While some countries continue to debate the legalization of marijuana, its effects and impact on possible dependency need to be further understood, said the head of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

The legalization of recreational marijuana elicits the usual snickers about pot and the people who use it. But it’s no laughing matter.

OTTAWA – Legalizing marijuana shows a “disregard” for public health and safety, Canada’s Catholic bishops charge.

WASHINGTON – In this year's election, voters went against nearly all of the ballot initiatives backed by Catholic leaders and advocates, except the referendums on minimum wage increases and gun control measures.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona's Catholic bishops said they oppose an initiative to legalize recreational marijuana use in the state because it is harmful to children and families.

DES MOINES, Iowa – Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines urged state lawmakers to pass legislation that would legalize medical marijuana.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics briefly used its official Facebook page on Aug. 26 to debate marijuana and the Bible. After two commenters posted references to the Bible in response to a story about the detrimental effects of marijuana on the brain, a bureau employee engaged them in a theological argument.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis said legalizing marijuana and other so-called “recreational drugs” has never curbed drug addiction rates and has little impact on the criminal organizations trafficking drugs around the world.