Uncovering the Financial Interests Behind the Mormon Church’s Stance on Medical Marijuana
Recent revelations have cast new light on the motives behind the Mormon Church’s vocal opposition to Utah’s medical marijuana initiative. While publicly framing the stance as a moral or religious issue, leaked documents suggest that financial interests may have played a significant role.
The Leak That Changed the Narrative
Last week, MormonLeaks released a detailed investment document revealing that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) holds nearly a billion dollars in pharmaceutical stocks. This information challenges the narrative that the church’s opposition to medical cannabis is solely driven by religious doctrine. Instead, it suggests that there may be a profitable financial stake influencing their public position.
A Closer Look at the Investments
The leaked document (which can be reviewed here) details significant holdings in major pharmaceutical companies, including:
- Celgene (CELG): $347 million in shares
- Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): $490 million in shares
- Abbott Laboratories (ABT): $242 million in shares
- Gilead Sciences (GILD): $101 million in shares
- Pfizer (PFE): $73 million in shares
- AbbVie (ABBV): $39 million in shares
- Merck & Co. (MRK): $19 million in shares
In total, the church’s holdings in these pharmaceutical giants exceed one billion dollars, representing a vast financial stake in the industry.
Implications of the Findings
These investments imply that the LDS Church has a substantial financial interest in traditional pharmaceutical treatments, which could potentially be affected by the legalization and broader acceptance of medical marijuana. Critics argue that this financial tie may influence the church’s strong opposition to alternative health practices like cannabis-based medicine, despite evidence supporting their effectiveness for certain conditions.
Connections and Questions
This revelation raises important questions about the intersection of faith, finance, and public health policy. The church’s unified and forceful stance against medical marijuana might be viewed through a financial lens, considering their sizable investments in pharmaceutical companies that could see impacts from changing attitudes toward cannabis-based treatments.
Conclusion
While religious and moral reasons are often cited publicly, the recent leak suggests that financial motivations might also shape the Mormon Church’s policies and public statements. As the debate around medical marijuana continues, transparency about such financial interests is essential for an informed public discourse.
Sources and Further Reading:
- Leak Document on Scribd
- Article Covering the Leak
- Company Wikipedia Links: Celgene, Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Gilead Sciences, Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck & Co.
