Critics condemn Church of England’s plan to invest in medicinal cannabis companies
- CofE’s investment arm thought to be relaxing investment rules on cannabis
- The church will make a distinction between medical and recreational marijuana
- Anglican priest Jules Gomes said the CofE is in a ‘quagmire of its own making’
Critics have slammed plans by the Church of England to invest in medicinal cannabis companies.
The church’s investment arm, The Church Commissioners for England, is thought to be relaxing self-imposed rules for investing in medical marijuana companies, as reported by The Financial Times.
Edward Mason, head of responsible investment at the Church Commissioners said: ‘We make a distinction between recreational cannabis and medicinal cannabis.’
‘We are content with it being used for proper medicinal purposes.’
The church’s investment arm, The Church Commissioners for England, is thought to be relaxing self-imposed rules for investing in medical marijuana companies
A large marijuana farm professional commercial grade greenhouse filled With mature budding cannabis plants
Jules Gomes, a former vicar on the Isle of Man, questioned why the church wants to invest in something it knows ‘nothing about’
The change in investment strategy from the Commissioners, who oversee £12.6 billion investment portfolio’s, has drawn some criticism.
Jules Gomes, a former vicar on the Isle of Man, questioned why the church wants to invest in something it knows ‘nothing about.’
He told The Daily Caller: ‘The Church of England is in a quagmire of its own making. It has lashed itself to the mast of cultural Marxism.’
‘Hence, it is content to go along with any fashionable ideology that pops up. Why does the church have to invest in something that it knows little about?
‘Has there been robust research carried out? In what way does investing in medical marijuna further the mission of preaching the gospel and making disciples?’
Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018 and is also legal in Canada and a number of states in the US.
Scientific studies have shown the drug can alleviate depression, anxiety and stress.
Not everyone is against the new investment strategy, Anglican writer David Virtue said: ‘As the products are medically, ethically and legally neutral there is no significant change in the Church of England’s position on anything.’