Your views on Marijuana

Hey all, im just interested to see what the christian community thinks of marijuana.

I'll put forth no opinions of my own for the time being and just leave you with this quote from the bible

Genesis 1:29 "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth"

I just gave a speech today on the legalization of marijuana. Speech didn't go to well since I didn't practice much before presenting it, but my outline was rather good.

Anyways, my (American) view on the matter(afterall, I was presenting my argument to a class of Americans. I wasn't researching marijuana legalization on a global scale):
Harry Anslinger had a vendetta against all drugs due to his childhood in which many of her neighbors and family members were addicted to opium/morphine. He was also a racist. For this reason it is not at all surprising that Anslinger's podium for trying to ban marijuana was centered around racism, prejudice, and his irrational and completely unfounded demonization of the drug.

Anslinger got the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 passed and this was the beginning of the end for marijuana. Anslinger's tax act had unintended consequences, however, since it also ruined the Hemp industry and made medicinal uses for marijuana fade away for a time. It is only recently that some states have finally started to allow marijuana be used for medicinal uses once more.

I would suggest checking out the site: http://www.drugpolicy.org/marijuana/factsmyths/ to see some of the popular marijuana myths debunked. Only myth they try to debunk on that site I have issue with is the one about using marijuana while pregnant. I would never advocate anyone use marijuana while pregnant.

What amuses me is that a drug that was done away with for obviously racial and prejudicial reasons(and no scientific or societal reasons at all, except for those steeped in prejudice) is still banned today. What is also amusing is that marijuana is safer than alcohol and actual provides proven medicinal value, yet people are unwilling to legalize it.

People say marijuana should stay illegal because it would cause society to deteriorate if it was legalized, but it is the exact opposite. Society deteriorates because it is illegal. In every country where marijuana is legalized or where marijuana laws are lax crime rate is lower. In countries such as the Netherlands, illegal use of marijuana amongst teens even DECREASES once marijuana is legalized. It doesn't increase like people assume it would.

Marijuana legalization would also stimulate the economy. not only through a marijuana market, but through the re-introduction of a hemp industry. Hemp was always a big source of economic benefit in the US from its start. George Washington even promoted the production of hemp, saying "Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere."

Besides promoting economy, there is the issue of problems created due to the illegality of marijuana. The 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendment are violated due to the illegality of marijuana. One good example of this is civil asset forfeiture.

I never said people smoke solely because it is illegal. Granted, some people smoke it mainly for the illegality factor, but there are many more people who smoke marijuana for personal reasons that have nothing to do with it's legality, or lack thereof.

The point I was trying to make is that marijuana causes more problems from being illegal than it would if it were legal. Yes, you will have people who will abuse marijuana no matter if it is legal or illegal, but that is the case for any mind-altering substance.

People seem to have this mindset that if a person smokes pot he is a pothead. That is akin to saying that if a person drinks alcohol he is an alcoholic. That is not at all true.

So what does the Bible say about it? It doesn't matter the slightest bit what society says.

That was for food, you should have wrote the rest of the verse..

29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Gen 1:29 (KJV)


Meat meaning food.

Is there a particular verse you are looking for, because I can't think of any at the moment. There are scriptures that can be interpreted to support and to not support marijuana, but at the moment it all seems circumstantial to me, and I'm not in the mood to try and twist scripture to support my beliefs.

There is no definitive verse(that I can find) that prohibits the use of marijuana so that is good enough for me at this point in time.

This doesn't mean I'm going to go out and smoke me some pot. I'm not much into breaking laws, but if it is legalized I wouldn't find issue with that. Granted I still wouldn't smoke it, but that's just because I don't find appeal in smoking anything of any sort.

There are verses that condemn breaking the law of the land. There are verses that say not to be brought under the power of anything. There are verses that say not to abuse ones body. There are verses that say to not be conformed to the world. You add these principles together, and you can come to the conclusion that using marijuana is sin. Legalizing marijuana would be one of the worst things possible for our day. Ending prohibition was one of the top 5 worst things that happened in the US in the 1900's. This would be up there if not worse (since society is already really messed up). Just because it is not written in black and white or red doesn't make it okay. I can name examples of this if you would like. The Bible can be applied to all areas of life even if something is not clearly written out, which is the great thing about the illumination of the Holy Spirit when reading the Word. God has given us the answers to our questions, specifically through His word
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)


All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Tim 3:16-17 (KJV)


Search the scriptures diligently before making an opinion on a matter, and be especially before trying to instruct someone...

1 My brethren, be not many masters [teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1 (KJV)

Oh btw, lil-rush... What's the book you're reading in that pic? I see the Israeli flag and you have piqued my curiosity

Yeah, from personal experience marijuana is nothing to be messing with. I've seen friends and stuff pretty much lose their minds from using it, and they're only in their 20's now. It's so addicting people will sell all their stuff and steal to get it. It is up there with alcohol when it comes to sin in substance. After seeing how it ruins lives and families I don't see how anyone in their right mind could be in favor of it.

By itself, one may reconsider that since hemlock and other "plants" can kill you.

As Baptistrw has replied:

Like he said... for food.

So what of marijuana? As Merryheart and Baptistrw testifies, it is a gateway drug.

I'll testify as well... of a family member that declared that he would never do crack, but that one can do marijuana and keep their jobs. Not only did he lost his job because of marijuana at several times in his life, but he also got on crack at various points in his life. How? The "friend" that offered it, did so while my brother was stoned.

Anyone should know that if a drug loosen one up to laugh or be silly or see differently or feel differently, then they ought to know that certain inhibitions are being removed here as judgment will be impaired. Forget about the hype and the campaign on how "harmless" the drug is... if we are not to be drunk with wine wherein there is excess, then neither are we to be "stoned" by drugs. The Lord wants us to have self-control at all times. If any thing does remove that self-control which is temperance; a fruit of the Spirit, then how can it not be related to the works of the flesh in regards to drunkenness?

Can anyone imagine being stoned when a family member or someone you love needs help? How is that for a nightmare? In this world where anything can happen.. when evil can befall anyone.. even thieves break into homes and do other evil acts as well... does anyone really want to give up that amount of self-control in a moment's crisis? For California residence that pushes for the use of marijuana, how many want to be stoned when the big one hits?

Now I know that the world has a way of making someone desire an escape: I do not mean to add to it by worrying, but for all the possible evil in the world that can happen against us... why add more by handicapping ourselves temporarily?

1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Seems like sound advise above.

marijuana is not abuse of one's body. It does not cause cancer like cigs can. It doesn't kill brain cells like propoganda says it does. It doesn't ruin the liver, lungs, heart, etc. Marijuana is actually medicinal, much like red wine is when the right amount is taken. And how is using marijuana conforming to the world? Who defines what conforming to the world is? I mean if you want to get legalistic, the best thing to do is live like a Quaker. Ending prohibition was not bad. Trying to start prohibition was the problem.

I know things don't have to be clearly written out for them to be true, but for marijuana there are scriptures that can go either way, so I am a bit wary about posting any of them.

The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz. Interesting read.

Okay 1) only 20% or marijuana users go on to use worse drugs
2) it is allegedly a gateway drug because it is illegal. If you logically follow it through, you'll realize this. Marijuana is illegal so you have to get it from a drug dealer. This drug dealer is most likely not going to deal only in marijuana. He is going to have other drugs to sell to you as well. So there you are buying marijuana and this drug dealer is pushing other drugs on you as well. If marijuana was legal there would be no drug dealer.

opium and marijuana are not the same thing. Harry Anslinger tried to make that connection, and look where it got us.

Desiring to live holiness and to offer ones body as a sacrifice is not legalism. DO a study on the word ''holiness'' in the Bible and you'll see this. Have you ever used marijuana or known someone who did? I think you might have your opinion changed had you. What are your scriptures that can go either way? I know of NONE.

Pro-Israel?

You know Baptist for one who claims to know Bible verses for every circumstance, I'm surprised you forgot 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Don't you know that you yoourselves are God's temple and that God's spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

When people start trying to get a high, they keep going after a bigger high... When you no longer get that high, you find something more powerful. Which is why people move on to bigger drugs, in search of the high that outdoes the last. Like I said in a previous post, if you've never used drugs you really don't know what you're talking about. Go to an NA meeting or meeting with drug addicts and they'll temm you way different than what you believe.

I alluded to it but didn't quote it lol

Never done it myself. Never intend to. I have friends that have, and friends that do.