Should Christians Smoke Medical Marijuana?

From Christianity Today (June 2011):

     Ah, those Californians—a bunch of grown-up hippies single-handedly keeping medical marijuana in the national consciousness. But wait. My wife and most of her family are from California, and they all seem surprisingly normal. Maybe medical marijuana is worth a careful Biblical look. Scripture raises important questions.

     First, is it moral? This is the most important question. Does Scripture prohibit or command using marijuana for medical purposes? If something is illegal, unless Scripture commands us to do it, we do not. Where medical marijuana is legal, this is no longer an issue.
     Second, are mind-altering drugs sinful? This one is a bit more slippery. Many prescription drugs—like psychiatric drugs—can be mind-altering, and so are legal drugs such as tobacco and alcohol. Christians have reasonable arguments on both sides. But I think we can agree that one's motivation is relevant. If someone puts their hope in mind-altering drugs, and these drugs become a way to turn away from the Lord, they are idolatrous and wrong. Even then, that does not mean that the person must stop taking the drugs. It means they must learn how to turn to the Lord in their troubles.
     Third, is it wise to smoke medical marijuana? This overlaps with the morality question. There are times when something is morally permissible, yet unwise. If you struggle with a desire for alcohol, it is permissible but unwise to work in a place where alcohol is served. With medical marijuana, that question could be reframed as, "Is it helpful or dangerous?" Are there deleterious consequences to this treatment? The brief answer, and I suspect there would be many heads nodding at this, is that every medical treatment has possible harmful side effects. In an era of full disclosure, many prescription warnings end, "Oh, and you might die too." When you line up modern pain relievers, marijuana looks quite tame. It is riskier than Tylenol but safer than Vicodin. The dangers ebb when the marijuana user is terminally ill, and Scripture supports palliative care for the dying (Prov. 31:6-7).
     Finally, is your conscience clear? Is it okay that people know you are taking medical marijuana? You do not have to announce it in front of the assembly, but you should not be ashamed if other people know. If your conscience bothers you, do not do it. For some people, the stumbling block might be that you smoke it. Put it in a pill form and use its technical name, and many consciences would probably be soothed.
     Many innovations have unwanted side effects. For example, the Internet is a purveyor of pornography. Yes, more people will use marijuana for non-medical reasons. People who would not cross the barrier between legal and illegal might be more prone to try something that is legal though restricted.
     How would I vote? Be wise and do not violate your conscience.

-Ed Welch is a counselor with the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation and author of several books on addiction and mental illness

Note from the Cannaculturist:  Please leave a comment on your take of this article... Do Christians have an obligation to truth in regards to cannabis?  Does our modern society's understanding of cannabis (or lack of) play a factor in how a Christian handles the issue? What are your thoughts?

Being on the Right Side of History

     Is the picture big enough?  I was having some trouble trying to find the best picture for today's blog entry.  This one seemed fitting, as it sends a clear and concise message.  I believe that if one seeks truth sincerely, they will find it.  In many cases, it doesn't take much seeking - the truth is right under our noses. 

"I'm just glad it'll be Clark Gable who's falling on his face and not Gary Cooper." 

--Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in "Gone With The Wind."  

     "Hindsight is 20/20"... We have all heard that before.  However, I would prefer NOT to wait for truth to be in my rearveiw mirror before I recognize it as such.  Unfortunately, that is how many of us operate.  What is worse is when we realize we were wrong on some issue for so long and yet still refuse to change our stance. It may be fears or peer pressures. Maybe something darker...  

     If one is (1) willing to do a little homework, and (2) ready to be intellectually honest, he or she would discover that our own nation - the tall and proud U.S. of A. - has been on the wrong side of issues throughout  its existence.  Even when the truth smacks this nation in the face, we as citizens fight it as if truth is yanking our teeth out with pliers!  We round Japanese Americans in concentration camps out of fear. It wasn't until 1988 that our nation publicly declared it "wrong".  How about slavery?  Enough said.  We had discovered that Prohibition was not the answer.  Trail of Tears.  The Gulf of Tonkin incident.  Must I continue? 

     In previous blog entries, I had discussed the outright travesties by our own nation in regards to cannabis. I urge you to read my articles entitled "DuPont hates Cannabis" Parts 1-3.  I believe that if you and I are willing to educate ourselves and those in our circles of influence, we will see America get on the right side of history in regards to cannabis.  I mean, it certainly wouldn't be the first time America has been wrong.  I challenge you with this: 

1. Share this blog.  I mention this blog in discussions I have with people all the time. Certainly it helps when it's MY blog, but I am passionate about the truth.  Please join me in that passion.

2. Do your homework.  Challenge what you have been taught.  The Internet can be a great tool in discovering truth. Cross-reference sources - do not rely on only one source, even if I am that one source.

3. Be prepared to stand when confronted with opposition.  If you are new to the "world of cannabis", do not feel overwhelmed - take it one bite at a time.  If someone challenges you with their own "facts", don't let the pressure force you into a quick, sloppy answer. Let them know that you will come back to them and resort back to my second point.

Cannabis use = Sorcery??? Part Two

     Just as we picture a witch stirring a cauldron with a big spoon and adding a menagerie of ingredients (drugs) to complete a magic spell, the word "pharmakeia" should evoke the idea of magic incantations and occultic rituals - all with the explicit purpose of manifesting the lusts of idolatry, the worship of gods other than the True God.  It was not uncommon for magi and sorcerers to use psychoactive substances to conjure spirits and communicate with otherworldly entities.
     As a Christian, I am to abstain from any "conjuring" of spirits, for the Word of God tells me that these spirits are in fact demons.  Anyone opening themselves to such is asking for trouble.  The question that now arises is, "Can a Christian use cannabis without it being sorcery?"  My opinion is YES!  Certainly cannabis has and still is being used as a tool to disconnect from reality (which can invite spirits into one's presence).  That does not discredit other reasons for using cannabis, such as for pain relief, appetite stimulation, general health and well-being, and any other of a number of reasons.  Claiming that using medicine is sorcery goes completely against the principles found in the Bible.  If that was the case, how many Christians are "living in sin" because they are taking Vicodins for a back injury or are on a regimen of chemotherapy pills for cancer?
     To conclude, I want to be clear that the reason for using cannabis has everything to do with it being "witchcraft" or not.  Matt.15:11 makes it clear that it's not what I put in my mouth that corrupts me - it is what comes out of my mouth. If consuming cannabis is bad (which it's not - it's very safe), then what does that say about a double cheeseburger with a large fry and Mountain Dew?  Christians shouldn't be out to offend others with things that may cause another to stumble, but cannabis  is one of God's creations and medicinal blessings and science has begun to realize the medical value of the plant.  We have been duped by money-grubbing politicians and lobbyists over the years into thinking that it is an evil plant. C'mon...Who is truly being the "stumbling-block"?

Cannabis use = Sorcery??? Part One

     As a Christian, I have had the "God is against cannabis" discussion my fair share of times. One argument that has stood out to me was, "the Greek word 'pharmakeia' (literally: "drug making" - and where the English word "pharmacy" is derived) is translated 'witchcraft' or 'sorcery' in the Bible; therefore, using cannabis is anti-Christian because it is a form of sorcery".  I understand that the readers of this blog may have differing views on religion from my own but I believe the following can still provide insight for anyone interested in the culture of cannabis.
     First, I would like to write that the first clause of the quote above is accurate.  "Pharmakeia" is translated correctly.
     The problem I have is with the deduction that cannabis is bad.  I find this to be completely absurd.  Did the translators miss something there by not simply  putting the words "drug-making" in the text? No.  "Pharmakeia", as used in the New Testament, always carries the connotation of seeking false gods. When the Apostle Paul included "pharmakeia" in his list of deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:20), he was referring to witchcraft and sorcery - in contrast to the first Commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
CONT.