The morality of marijuana usage

[apersonsaperson]

Hello, I was wonderfully surprised at the discussion from all different kinds of views in a previous topic I started discussing homosexuality, and now I would like to discuss another topic that seems to be very controversial.

Everyone seems to have some sore of opinion on it. In America it's never been so close to being widely accepted on a large society scale. Marijuana, cannabis, weed, pot, herb, ganja, or whatever you call it is a plant used for medicinal and recreational purposes by many many around the world.

There is a rich thriving culture based around the plant. Many adults young and old use it socially with friends or by themselves to relax or to possibly treat illness.

The legality of marijuana usage in America is undisputed, it is federally illegal. However, I want to ask people's feelings on the morality of marijuana usage.

From a Christian viewpoint, the bible seems to forbid alcohol usage, yet this has become accepted by the general population around the world, including in America.

Now many people will deem marijuana usage to be unholy, or in general not-Christian. What does God say?

And God said... 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. ..And to every beast of the earth.. I have given every green herb for meat... " Genesis 1:29-30

He gave us "every herb bearing seed", now like many parts of the bible this verse can be interpreted many different ways. The most obvious way is that he gave us every seed, every herb, every plant to do what we decide to do with is.

So my question is how could a country decide to federally forbid a plant, one of God's miraculous creations?

Is there a line between the morality and illegality of marijuana in countries such as America, England, and other countries where it is illegal? Tobacco kills over 400,000 people a year. Guess how many lives Marijuana takes a year?

Zero.

Above The Influence of Ignorance | Medical Marijuana & Hemp Facts

Discuss.

 

[Penumbra]

Well if alcohol and cigarettes are legal, it seems pretty arbitrary to make marijuana illegal. Supposedly it is less dangerous and less physical addicting, and unlike alcohol it, it is nearly impossible to die from a marijuana overdose.

I'm apathetic on the issue, though, because I don't use it anyway.

the bible seems to forbid alcohol usage

Which verse?

It seems Protestants are often against alcohol but Catholics are not. Is there

 

[apersonsaperson]

Well if alcohol and cigarettes are legal, it seems pretty arbitrary to make marijuana illegal. Supposedly it is less dangerous and less physical addicting, and unlike alcohol it, it is nearly impossible to die from a marijuana overdose.

I'm apathetic on the issue, though, because I don't use it anyway.


Which verse?

It seems Protestants are often against alcohol but Catholics are not. Is there

Proverbs 23:31-32 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."

Isaiah 28:7, "But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink. They are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment."


I want you to think on this: If you are truly saved and have been adopted into God's family, you are now called kings, priests, and saints. Revelation 1:5-6 says "Jesus Christ ... washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us KINGS and PRIESTS unto God and his Father." And Revelation 5:10 also says that Jesus hast made us unto our God kings and priests. So you see, men and women, we have been adopted into God's royal family. "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9). And the Bible says this of its kings and royalty: Proverbs 31:4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted." So, friends, stop living like the world, and start living like God's holy royal people!



Sited from a website against alcohol as well as other drugs.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ALCOHOL AND DRUGS?

 

[Silent Bob]

From a Christian perspective the only objection I see is the "render unto Cessar" quote which is concerned with the legality of the action.

As a non-Christian, semi-anarchist and a pot smoker there is no moral dilema with regards to smoking pot. The only problem is that it is illegal so growing your own is risky and you are left to buy it from all kinds of criminals but that is an argument for legalization.

 

[jayem]

The Bible may condemn drunkeness, but I don't get that moderate use of alcohol is forbidden. Certainly not explicitly. If you want to abstain, that's your choice, but I think you're reading way too much into unrelated verses and constructing a legalism out of it.

 

[Mercy Medical]

I honestly don't see why any Christian would or could oppose marijuana use based on what the Bible says because the Bible doesn't really say anything about it...with the exception of the passage stated in the OP, which would seem God would want us to go out and use all that he gave us.

 

[theVirginian]

And God said... 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.

God is talking about food here, not catching a buzz. You'll find enough scripture that advises us to not get high and nothing that comes close to condoning the practice. As far as the stuff being used throughout history, you'll find that most of it is used by Pagans for their "spiritual" experiences. That's hardly an endorsement considering how many times God has warned us about following their lead.

I did some research on the food value of pot and it seems that the seeds are fairly nutritional. You can order 50# sacks of sterile seeds from China and grind it into a butter and because they're sterile without enough THC in the whole sack to get high, its legal in the US, although you might still get a visit from the DEA.

 

[Mercy Medical]

God is talking about food here, not catching a buzz. You'll find enough scripture that advises us to not get high and nothing that comes close to condoning the practice. As far as the stuff being used throughout history, you'll find that most of it is used by Pagans for their "spiritual" experiences. That's hardly an endorsement considering how many times God has warned us about following their lead.

I did some research on the food value of pot and it seems that the seeds are fairly nutritional. You can order 50# sacks of sterile seeds from China and grind it into a butter and because they're sterile without enough THC in the whole sack to get high, its legal in the US, although you might still get a visit from the DEA.

Why would God make a planet capable of getting high if he didn't want you to use it? What other purpose would there be for it on this earth? Wouldn't it be flawed logic for him to create a plant with those possibilities to only punish us later for using it?

 

[FlamingFemme]

God is talking about food here, not catching a buzz. You'll find enough scripture that advises us to not get high and nothing that comes close to condoning the practice. As far as the stuff being used throughout history, you'll find that most of it is used by Pagans for their "spiritual" experiences. That's hardly an endorsement considering how many times God has warned us about following their lead.

Except for the question of why G-d would create something that has a pleasant, non-harmful intoxicating effect if S/He didn't expect us to use it? Not to mention all of the beneficial medicinal purposes hemp/marijuana serves - There are some of us out there who can't live without it, and believe it or not it has nothing to do with addiction or abuse.
Also, what is the difference (ethically/morally speaking) between having a glass of wine to relax and smoking a few puffs of a bowl to relax?

I did some research on the food value of pot and it seems that the seeds are fairly nutritional. You can order 50# sacks of sterile seeds from China and grind it into a butter and because they're sterile without enough THC in the whole sack to get high, its legal in the US, although you might still get a visit from the DEA.

If you continue your research, you will find that there is a myriad of other ways that a sterile hemp plant can be used: Paper, clothing, rope, medicine, make-up, oils and lotions, and plastics (bags, toys, electronics, exterior and interior car panels, etc.), as well as food.
Henry Ford's first Model T was made mostly from hemp-based plastic, and ran on hemp-based fuel. The potential for marijuana to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel is staggeringly HUGE.

 

[Mercy Medical]

Except for the question of why G-d would create something that has a pleasant, non-harmful intoxicating effect if S/He didn't expect us to use it? Not to mention all of the beneficial medicinal purposes hemp/marijuana serves - There are some of us out there who can't live without it, and believe it or not it has nothing to do with addiction or abuse.
Also, what is the difference (ethically/morally speaking) between having a glass of wine to relax and smoking a few puffs of a bowl to relax?


If you continue your research, you will find that there is a myriad of other ways that a sterile hemp plant can be used: Paper, clothing, rope, medicine, make-up, oils and lotions, and plastics (bags, toys, electronics, exterior and interior car panels, etc.), as well as food.
Henry Ford's first Model T was made mostly from hemp-based plastic, and ran on hemp-based fuel. The potential for marijuana to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel is staggeringly HUGE.

Ah yes, but the companies who are currently making bank in those particular markets don't want the competition!

It's quite telling that the tobacco and alcohol industries fund a good portion of the anti-drug campaigns...

 

[FlamingFemme]

Ah yes, but the companies who are currently making bank in those particular markets don't want the competition!

Truer words...
What really gets me is that we grow all this corn to make ethanol (and high-fructose corn syrup, but let's not go there), and we could grow ten times the hemp in the same acreage and make actual FUEL, and not a fuel additive. Also, unlike other crops, hemp doesn't have to be rotated, because it doesn't deplete the soil of nutrients - In fact, it actually puts some back.

Ugh. Can you tell that this is a subject I'm rather passionate about?

It's quite telling that the tobacco and alcohol industries fund a good portion of the anti-drug campaigns...

It sure is.
It's also interesting that in 60+ years of marijuana prohibition, no one has ever been able to say, definitively, WHY it is illegal.

 

[Mercy Medical]

Truer words...
What really gets me is that we grow all this corn to make ethanol (and high-fructose corn syrup, but let's not go there), and we could grow ten times the hemp in the same acreage and make actual FUEL, and not a fuel additive. Also, unlike other crops, hemp doesn't have to be rotated, because it doesn't deplete the soil of nutrients - In fact, it actually puts some back.

Ugh. Can you tell that this is a subject I'm rather passionate about?


It sure is.
It's also interesting that in 60+ years of marijuana prohibition, no one has ever been able to say, definitively, WHY it is illegal.

I didn't know that about hemp. That would actually be a fantastic solution considering our current usage of corn to make ethanol is rising the corn prices and thus making people in poorer countries starve because they can't afford it.

 

[FlamingFemme]

I didn't know that about hemp. That would actually be a fantastic solution considering our current usage of corn to make ethanol is rising the corn prices and thus making people in poorer countries starve because they can't afford it.

This is something the marijuana lobby has been saying for YEARS.
Besides the fuel, hemp can produce plastic that is NOT petroleum based, therefore reducing our dependence on oil - Which, being a finite resource, when it runs out we're screwed - As well as a plastic that is plant-based and therefore biodegradable.
There are so many reasons for lifting prohibition... It just doesn't make any sense to me why it's still illegal.
Not to mention the fact that I have an incurable, practically untreatable chronic pain disorder, and pot's the only thing that gives me any relief without nasty side-effects.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

I honestly don't see why any Christian would or could oppose marijuana use based on what the Bible says because the Bible doesn't really say anything about it...with the exception of the passage stated in the OP, which would seem God would want us to go out and use all that he gave us.

How can a Christian support a doper environment, a drug and party culture? Peter makes it clear we shouldn't.

Marijuana is a gateway drug, and there is little way to talk that away.

 

[PassionFruit]

I'm kind of indifferent about the legalization of marijuana, because I don't smoke it myself. Though I don't see the harm of legalizing it. It's already legal in other countries like the Netherlands and I think in parts of Canada.

Besides, I think this country would be a lot more fun if it was legal. Have you tried talking to someone who high?

 

[Mercy Medical]

How can a Christian support a doper environment, a drug and party culture? Peter makes it clear we shouldn't.

Marijuana is a gateway drug, and there is little way to talk that away.

Marijuana is NOT a gateway drug, you're just believing the propaganda behind it.

If someone wants to get into harder drugs, they are going to do it whether it be through use of marijuana, alcohol or tobacco. If they want to do harder drugs, they are going to do it regardless if any of those three are available or not.

I smoke and have absolutely NO desire to try any other types of drugs, especially ones that are not natural.

 

[FlamingFemme]

How can a Christian support a doper environment, a drug and party culture? Peter makes it clear we shouldn't.

Marijuana is a gateway drug, and there is little way to talk that away.

That marijuana is a 'gateway drug' is a myth. First of all, if anything could be called a 'gateway drug' it would be either tobacco or alcohol. Secondly, just because most addicts of hard drugs tried pot first doesn't mean that trying pot was what made them shoot up heroin. Correlation does not equal causation, and most likely anyone who became a junkie after they smoked pot was probably going to become a junkie with OR without smoking that first joint.
And what about those who use it for medicinal purposes? I have a chronic pain condition that not only has no cure, but is practically impossible to treat. The only way I can get effective relief without some REALLY horrible side-effects is to use cannabis to treat my pain.

 

[Penumbra]

The only reason marijuana is a gateway drug is because it's the most benign illegal drug.

Someone who uses marijuana, at least in many countries that make it illegal, goes over the bounds of the law, has to obtain marijuana illegally, and then may have more contact with other drugs.

If it weren't illegal, it wouldn't be a gateway drug anymore than alcohol or cigarettes, except less addictive and less dangerous.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

That marijuana is a 'gateway drug' is a myth.

The cemetary would say otherwise. Drug rehabs would say otherwise.

First of all, if anything could be called a 'gateway drug' it would be either tobacco or alcohol.

Which they are. We don't need anymore.

Secondly, just because most addicts of hard drugs tried pot first doesn't mean that trying pot was what made them shoot up heroin.

One plus one has always added up to two on my calculator. A marijuana to heroin is as connected as mother to fetus.

Correlation does not equal causation, and most likely anyone who became a junkie after they smoked pot was probably going to become a junkie with OR without smoking that first joint.

It's the drug "culture" that creates addicts.

And what about those who use it for medicinal purposes?

The scam patients or the real ones? Oxycontin is a drug for pain too. So?

I have a chronic pain condition that not only has no cure, but is practically impossible to treat.

The 1 in 1000 doesn't work for "legalizing" marijuana for teens. And that's exactly who is targeted for consumption.

The only way I can get effective relief without some REALLY horrible side-effects is to use cannabis to treat my pain.

Why would anyone have a problem with you getting marijuana for that? THAT, is NOT part of the drug culture.

And what about the job environment? We want dopers at the work place? "Oh excuse me while I go outside to get high." That's a lot different than someone getting their nicotine "fix."

 

[apersonsaperson]

Truer words...
What really gets me is that we grow all this corn to make ethanol (and high-fructose corn syrup, but let's not go there), and we could grow ten times the hemp in the same acreage and make actual FUEL, and not a fuel additive. Also, unlike other crops, hemp doesn't have to be rotated, because it doesn't deplete the soil of nutrients - In fact, it actually puts some back.

Ugh. Can you tell that this is a subject I'm rather passionate about?


It sure is.
It's also interesting that in 60+ years of marijuana prohibition, no one has ever been able to say, definitively, WHY it is illegal.

I'm with you. FlamingFemme. I'm also passionate about how helpful marijuana could be for the future of mankind. I agree with everything you're saying.

What we need are people like you and I to spread these facts to as many people as possible so that ignorance spread by propaganda can be slowly, but surely, chiseled away and in it's stead the truth can be seen


Also my state, NJ, recently became the 14th state to legalize medically. The country is slowly waking up.