Marijuana Prop 19 California ???

[NarrowPath7]

If prop 19 passes in California on November 2 thus making marijuana legal in the state is weed then not wrong for a Christian to use there? And don't just say pharmakeia because you will then have to group cigarettes(which is a drug and does alter your mind) = How Smoking Affects Your Mind and alcohol(also a drug that alters your mind) = How Alcohol Affects the Brain. Both of these drugs are legal and are seen as ok by Christians in low amounts even if in low amounts they do alter your mind. Please no holier then thou/reefer madness responses. Just some Bible verses and/or your opinion. Would you then see marijuana as a drug like alcohol where lower use is ok (buzzed) and higher use (drunk) is wrong and why?

 

[vanille meisje]

I don't think it's wrong to use it if you're not violating the law, but I wonder why you would want to. Drugs seem to me to be a form of escapism. What are you escaping from? It seems that you should deal with the underlying condition that is making you search for a high or relief from pain. Marijuana is mild and safe compared to many other substances like alcohol and tobacco, but it's not wise to use with abandon. It's easy to see the potential, over the years, of needing to increase your supply in order to experience the same high. What a lot of money will be spent, right? And it could lead to harder drugs, though I don't think marijuana is always a "gateway". It's probably best to try it once for curiosity's sake if you must, and then limit using it to times when you need it for pain relief. And let your doctor know, too.

 

[FallenPaladin]

I wouldn't use it because I might like it too much.

 

[keith99]

California legalizing it does not change the basic argument that Christians should refrain from it as it is illegal. It is still against Federal law.

 

[lawtonfogle]

One could make the argument that the Constitution does not allow the Federal government such powers, and as such per Constitution, it is a state issue. As such, the Federal making it illegal does not override the State saying it isn't, thus meaning it would not be a sin to follow it. Just because the guys with the biggest guns say no doesn't mean that is the rule of government. Saying such would imply that the threat of any being (individual or group) implies the order of authority which it holds.

 

[Ar Cosc]

I don't think there is anything wrong with smoking cannabis, although I don't see the attraction myself (I'm dopey enough without chemical assistance!)

 

[Jade Margery]

It would be a smart move for California. Lots of states are dealing with financial problems. If they could regulate, quality check, and tax marijuana, not only would they have a whole new source of revenue, but they will become THE place to go for college vacations. I know of at least four people who would move there permanently for that reason alone. What a great way to jumpstart a state economy!

 

[Umaro]

It would be a smart move for California. Lots of states are dealing with financial problems. If they could regulate, quality check, and tax marijuana, not only would they have a whole new source of revenue, but they will become THE place to go for college vacations. I know of at least four people who would move there permanently for that reason alone. What a great way to jumpstart a state economy!

Not only could it help through taxes, it'll cut down drastically the amount spent on law enforcement. California decriminalizing it would stop something like 61,000 arrests each year, so legalizing it would be even better.

 

[keith99]

It would be a smart move for California. Lots of states are dealing with financial problems. If they could regulate, quality check, and tax marijuana, not only would they have a whole new source of revenue, but they will become THE place to go for college vacations. I know of at least four people who would move there permanently for that reason alone. What a great way to jumpstart a state economy!

I'm not at all sure it would be a good thign for the state. The last thing California needs is more people moving here. Just how things work out with it still being against Federal Law could end up ugly, with the niave and innocent taking the falls. I wonder just how much money would be wasted on State vrs. Federal fights.

I'm lucky, I have a very politically astute friend I can consult with, and I will. While I personally would like it to be legal I'm inclined ot be careful about creating half legal minefields.

 

[Verticordious]

There are many studies that show moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial for general health, so a Christian should feel free to consume some alcohol. For Marijuana, however, I see only research to support that it negatively impacts general health. While Marijuana is one of the more mild narcotics out there, it is still harmful and therefore sinful when used for "recreation". Marijuana does seem to show that it is useful for treating certain medical conditions, however, so for medical purposes it would not be sinful to use.

 

[The Nihilist]

There are many studies that show moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial for general health, so a Christian should feel free to consume some alcohol. For Marijuana, however, I see only research to support that it negatively impacts general health. While Marijuana is one of the more mild narcotics out there, it is still harmful and therefore sinful when used for "recreation". Marijuana does seem to show that it is useful for treating certain medical conditions, however, so for medical purposes it would not be sinful to use.

Do you think that a poor diet is sinful? If you don't, you're being inconsistent.

 

[Verv]

Alcohol destroys far more lives than marijuana as it is.

It is a double standard for marijuana to not be legal.

I am a conservative through and through and just as I think adults should have the right to consume alcohol, so should they have the right to consume an even less harmful substance such as marijuana.

 

[Independent Lutheran]

I have to admit ignorance of the drug. I have no formal education that would benefit an argument pro or con however I do have experience with people who regularly use marijuana. My experience is that everyone that I know that regularly use marijuana are unemployed and either still living with their parents or receiving some type of public assistance.

I fully admit this is simply my experience and I'm not foolish enough to assume this is true of all or even most who regularly use. Does anyone know of any peer reviewed study that examines a connection between employment and use of marijuana?

JT

 

[Ar Cosc]

I have to admit ignorance of the drug. I have no formal education that would benefit an argument pro or con however I do have experience with people who regularly use marijuana. My experience is that everyone that I know that regularly use marijuana are unemployed and either still living with their parents or receiving some type of public assistance.

I fully admit this is simply my experience and I'm not foolish enough to assume this is true of all or even most who regularly use. Does anyone know of any peer reviewed study that examines a connection between employment and use of marijuana?

JT

I'd be inclined to say if there is a correlation, it's an effect, rather than a cause. Someone with nothing to do all day is more likely to take up some sort of substance abuse.

It's like the big scare we had over here a while back, saying "Sleeping causes cancer!". Turns out statistics suggested that those who sleep more than 9 hours in every 24 were something like 10% more likely to develop a serious illness such as cancer. When you look at it more closely, you realise that it's the other way round. Cancer makes you sleep more, sleeping more doesn't cause cancer.

 

[Independent Lutheran]

I'd be inclined to say if there is a correlation, it's an effect, rather than a cause. Someone with nothing to do all day is more likely to take up some sort of substance abuse.

It's like the big scare we had over here a while back, saying "Sleeping causes cancer!". Turns out statistics suggested that those who sleep more than 9 hours in every 24 were something like 10% more likely to develop a serious illness such as cancer. When you look at it more closely, you realise that it's the other way round. Cancer makes you sleep more, sleeping more doesn't cause cancer.

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That certainly seems to be a reasonable possibility.

Additionally if it is passed it will be interesting to watch this in the courts. You can be sure the federal government will challenge the law and it will become a "states rights" issue.

 

[PintoBean]

Just some Bible verses and/or your opinion. Would you then see marijuana as a drug like alcohol where lower use is ok (buzzed) and higher use (drunk) is wrong and why?

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.


People tend to replace God with a high, whether it's porn, drugs, alcohol, internet, facebook, etc. Why chance it?

 

[dinonum]

I've always told my DH that the only way I'd smoke marijuana is if it became legal in the location we live. I'm totally open to trying it, just not with the idea of facing legal consequences AND doing something I believe violates Scripture senselessly.

 

[dinonum]

I have to admit ignorance of the drug. I have no formal education that would benefit an argument pro or con however I do have experience with people who regularly use marijuana. My experience is that everyone that I know that regularly use marijuana are unemployed and either still living with their parents or receiving some type of public assistance.

I fully admit this is simply my experience and I'm not foolish enough to assume this is true of all or even most who regularly use. Does anyone know of any peer reviewed study that examines a connection between employment and use of marijuana?

JT

Along with what Ar Crosc said, another thing to remember is that regular users of marijuana have issues with normal jobs because so many have regular drug testing or the moment they make a mistake they have to go get drug tested. It's why so many people who smoke marijuana work at McDonald's, lol, because most don't drug test at least where I live.

 

[Independent Lutheran]

Along with what Ar Crosc said, another thing to remember is that regular users of marijuana have issues with normal jobs because so many have regular drug testing or the moment they make a mistake they have to go get drug tested. It's why so many people who smoke marijuana work at McDonald's, lol, because most don't drug test at least where I live.

I believe what you wrote so please do not take this as a challenge but I'm not aware of anyone here being drug tested except for transportation and civil service positions. Perhaps this is a regional trend?

JT

 

[dinonum]

I believe what you wrote so please do not take this as a challenge but I'm not aware of anyone here being drug tested except for transportation and civil service positions. Perhaps this is a regional trend?

JT

Possibly, most all jobs here in southern Indiana require a drug test to be hired on and then many jobs will drug test again if you have an issue. My husband accidentally rubbed a wall with his forklift, it wasn't even a real issue, but they made him drug test.