Dalai Lama: Medical Pot OK, But Not for 'Crazy Mind'

Lest recreational potheads get any ideas
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 16, 2013 6:58 AM CDT
Updated Oct 16, 2013 7:33 AM CDT
Dalai Lama: Medical Pot OK, But Not for 'Crazy Mind'
Wearing a Mexican charro hat, the Dalai Lama, waves to the crowds as he arrives to give a speech after an invitation by Mexico's former President Vicente Fox in San Cristobal, Mexico.   (AP Photo/Mario Armas)

The Dalai Lama still endorses meditation as the way to reach enlightenment, but has endorsed a particular herbal medication as a way to cure what ails you. Asked about his stance on marijuana while in Mexico, the Tibetan spiritual leader said smoking pot for medical reasons was OK. "But otherwise if it's just an issue of somebody (using the drug to have) a crazy mind, that's not good," he said, per AFP. If it sounds like a slightly odd question for a 78-year-old monk, context here is important: the Dalai Lama was speaking at an event hosted by former Mexican president Vicente Fox, a leading proponent of legalizing the drug to reduce the influence of cartels. (More Dalai Lama stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X