Weed addiction

[Razare]

Food is great too. And there are people 600 pounds and they die from it.

He should quit using it altogether. I have drank beer a couple times since becoming a Christian, but I did not get drunk and it is not a core staple of my life. Taking a swig of bear, or a hit of weed is not the end all of evils, but total life dependency is evil and it's something you should rid yourself of, for your own sake, not because you need to take some moral stand for/against pot.

You see, the guy who eats 5 cheeseburgers every day, we say he has a problem. The problem is not cheeseburgers it's his behavior concerning them.

I think this applies to your partner. And when it gets this bad, it is like alcoholics. Once they get off of it, they can't do it anymore. If a person lets something take hold of them that strongly, they have to leave it behind and they can't really go back to it in almost all circumstances.

How many alcoholics can have just 1 beer and then not think about having any more?

 

[Razare]

And for everyone bashing weed, why would you assume smoking weed is any less of a sin, than drinking caffeine?

Both fall into the camp of taking drugs to influence our bodies. Is pot stronger than caffene? Depends how much you smoke vs. how much caffeine you drink.

When I was a kid and would slam 3 large caffeinated energy drinks in a row, I had a much greater buz than I got from lightly smoking pot.

All such things which induce a chemical reaction in our bodies could be abused. Whether it is substance abuse just depends how much you "need" it or are intoxicated by it. Whether it is sin just sort of depends where you conscience and faith is at.

One of the ministers I listen to preached in Austria once in years gone by. The church came to his meeting, and there was free beer provided to everyone there so long as he continued preaching. Free beer and the gospel!

A lot of the issues of what substances are accepted or rejected, is something taught to us by culture not God's word... God's word rejects all substance abuse, but doesn't really reject instances that are not substance abuse and/or intoxication. Yet what we consider sin in our mind is largely not derived from the Bible, but what culture has taught us. And because our conscience is clear, we don't think it's sin... but God's law and rules really work apart from our conscience once we realize there is a higher good than our upbringing.

 

[Hieronymus]

Ah...
Weed and depression...
I know all about that...
Where to start?

I've smoked it daily for almost 30 years (i'm 45 now).
As an escape from depression, but it can cause it too...
Was it worth it?
Sometimes, because it did make me feel very good sometimes.
It's good for sleeping too.
Reality i could not deal with, so i chose to escape it.
Procrastination...

The problem is that it's feeding our natural ego-trip, like most drugs do (including alcohol).
But we get very lazy, so we become 'losers', ruining the ego-trip...
Ego-trap rather...

But i have quit quite recently.
With God's help, giving me the strength and understanding.
This time it seems to be an actual improvement, unlike a couple years ago, when i stopped for about 2 years.
That was the most boring time of my life, and i was still tired and a bit 'hazy'.
So i started smoking weed again...

I recognise the feelings of being ignored by God when i smoked daily.
I also recognise the panic when the baggy is empty and the wallet too.

What can i say?
I hope the smoker can pull himself together and maybe start by skipping days, and discovering the fear of being without weed is actually rather silly.

I still smoke tobacco, hopefully i will be able to kick that habit too, God willing...

 

[Kenny'sID]

Glad to see you were able to shake it, Hieronymus.

 

[kmrichard7]

For ANYONE who says that marijuanna use makes someone a "druggie" shame on you for speaking ill about ANYONE without knowing your facts.

I could provide countless studies and statistics but it's useless.

Plain and simple marijuana has INCREDIBLE medical benefits for a number of illnesses but let me speak on just one. One the all too common epilepsy and marijuanna use as it is personal and relevant to me.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago. Adult onset epilepsy. I was put on Keppra, an antiepilleptic medication that cost me $100 a month. I was pregnant when I started this medication.

During the pregnancy I had such horrible side effects that it caused rage. It's not uncommon for Keppra to cause rage either. I was breaking things and my oldest child was literally afraid of me. But because these medications are so strong they wouldn't take me off of it until after I had my child. So I had her and a couple months later I worked closely with my neurologist to be switched to another medication because the Keppra had caused me to become suicidal. Only the second time in my life I ever felt that way. The first time was a side effect of anti depressants when I was a teenager.

So I was switched to Topamax, another anti epileptic medication. It took three days before I was having trouble focusing. My cognitive abilities were greatly impacted. I couldn't think straight in the least bit. I couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone without getting frustrated because I couldn't understand simple questions or statements.

Not only that but I dropped weight and fast. I lost 40 pounds in less than a month and started having chest pains. I started having an irregular heart beat and begged my neurologist to take me off of it. He refused. I had to find another neuro. Either way our state finally became a medically legal state and I have been off of the anti epilleptics for two years. I think clearly, I have full control of my emotions, I sleep better and my anxiety from my health issues has greatly improved.

But because I became pregnant I have had to stop and it's unfortunate because I'm at week 32 and I still have morning sickness. It's so bad sometimes that I can't eat for days and drop a lot of weight. They gave me an anti nausea medication that I just found out has a high rate of fetal deformities, namely in the heart.

Call me a druggie but realize, that thought process is in your mind because you have fallen for the lies the government and the pharm companies have fed you over the years. To fill their pockets with our money on over priced risky medications and insane number of people jailed and ticketed for something that does much more good than bad.

And so what if anyone is a druggie, does that mean that they are any less of a person because of that? Because they have an illness (addiction IS an illness!!!) does that mean that they are not deserving of basic human respect and rights?

Please refrain from talking so negatively about people who have a true addiction and people who just want to get better where medication is not helping. Thanks!

 

[Kenny'sID]

For ANYONE who says that marijuanna use makes someone a "druggie" shame on you for speaking ill about ANYONE without knowing your facts.

I could provide countless studies and statistics but it's useless.

Plain and simple marijuana has INCREDIBLE medical benefits for a number of illnesses but let me speak on just one. One the all too common epilepsy and marijuanna use as it is personal and relevant to me.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy four years ago. Adult onset epilepsy. I was put on Keppra, an antiepilleptic medication that cost me $100 a month. I was pregnant when I started this medication.

During the pregnancy I had such horrible side effects that it caused rage. It's not uncommon for Keppra to cause rage either. I was breaking things and my oldest child was literally afraid of me. But because these medications are so strong they wouldn't take me off of it until after I had my child. So I had her and a couple months later I worked closely with my neurologist to be switched to another medication because the Keppra had caused me to become suicidal. Only the second time in my life I ever felt that way. The first time was a side effect of anti depressants when I was a teenager.

So I was switched to Topamax, another anti epileptic medication. It took three days before I was having trouble focusing. My cognitive abilities were greatly impacted. I couldn't think straight in the least bit. I couldn't carry on a conversation with anyone without getting frustrated because I couldn't understand simple questions or statements.

Not only that but I dropped weight and fast. I lost 40 pounds in less than a month and started having chest pains. I started having an irregular heart beat and begged my neurologist to take me off of it. He refused. I had to find another neuro. Either way our state finally became a medically legal state and I have been off of the anti epilleptics for two years. I think clearly, I have full control of my emotions, I sleep better and my anxiety from my health issues has greatly improved.

But because I became pregnant I have had to stop and it's unfortunate because I'm at week 32 and I still have morning sickness. It's so bad sometimes that I can't eat for days and drop a lot of weight. They gave me an anti nausea medication that I just found out has a high rate of fetal deformities, namely in the heart.

Call me a druggie but realize, that thought process is in your mind because you have fallen for the lies the government and the pharm companies have fed you over the years. To fill their pockets with our money on over priced risky medications and insane number of people jailed and ticketed for something that does much more good than bad.

And so what if anyone is a druggie, does that mean that they are any less of a person because of that? Because they have an illness (addiction IS an illness!!!) does that mean that they are not deserving of basic human respect and rights?

Please refrain from talking so negatively about people who have a true addiction and people who just want to get better where medication is not helping. Thanks!

Not sure who you are referring to as calling anyone who needs any medication a druggie. I personally was a druggie because I had no medical need for it, but if I had the legit need as you say you do, be darned if I'd a even waited for it to become legal.

And so what if anyone is a druggie,

Someone with no legit need, it would depend on the individual when it comes to the "so what". So what if they want to go to heaven and that is standing I their way and "so what" may not be a choice for them. On the other hand, I agree, if someone who doesn't have a medical need nor has a concern for God and what he wants, and as long as they aren't hurting anyone else, if that's what they want to do, then so what.

 

[mmksparbud]

For me---I was so beset with pain, I lost all desire to live. It was pain 24/7 and crying everyday from it. As a Christian I could not even consider killing myself---but I certainly did ask God to take me. I know it says He will not give you more than you can handle---I came to Him with that verse and said I was at the end and either take me, or find a way for me to cope with this. A friend of my husbands, who did not even know me, gave us $500 to get the medical marijuana. He had been helped by someone when he was at the bottom and the only catch was to help someone else when he could. We never have to pay him back. He could have chosen anybody, he is in the medical field and knows many deserving people---all of a sudden, he simply felt he should give me this money. For 1 1/2 years my life did a total turnaround and I was able to think, and do things and have a life again. I was not pain free, but I never asked for that, I asked to be able to cope. The first 3 days I was on it, I actually felt worse, the pain was worse, I was about to give up on it when all of a sudden, the pain just lifted. I cooked and drank it, I never got high, have no idea what that is like. I hate being in pain again, but it is not quite as bad as it was and I am able to cope so far, thank God. I believe that if God had felt I was able to handle it, I would not have been given the money. I totally disprove of it for just "recreational" use--but if there is a medical reason---it is truly great. It did more than just pain relief--I noticed several other things about my health that improved. For years I'd had bleeding gums, that slowly left, my energy levels increased, my labs got better, my skin got better. My last labs were terrible and I have to change some things to try and get them better again. It is sad that only the well to do can take advantage of this for medical purposes.

 

[Hieronymus]

For ANYONE who says that marijuanna use makes someone a "druggie" shame on you for speaking ill about ANYONE without knowing your facts.

The fact is that i was a 'druggie' too.
And so are many 'gram a day-ers' (or more) that i know.

When i still smoked the strong stuff (the modern green kinds, not the imported brown stuff with seeds in it) i was even physically addicted to it.

Iḿnot saying smoking weed makes everyone a druggie, but your average 'coffee-shop' (as we have here in the Netherlands) are filled with 'druggies'.

Sure, it's no comparison with heroine-junkies obviously, but 'pot heads' are 'druggies' in my book.

It's about being addicted to 'feeling good', and prioritizing 'feeling good' over walking with God.

Recreational weed smokers, as said here earlier, are not walking with God, it is walking with yourself, it's feeding the ego-trip, distancing from God.

I could provide countless studies and statistics but it's useless.

Plain and simple marijuana has INCREDIBLE medical benefits for a number of illnesses but let me speak on just one. One the all too common epilepsy and marijuanna use as it is personal and relevant to me.

I'm not denying any of that.
But daily recreational use is definitely addictive.
But not everybody reacts the same to it.

I do believe it's a good medication for certain medical conditions.

 

[com7fy8]

The reason why I pay for it is because I see how he does with it and how he does without it and honestly I have to admit I lack the strength sometimes to deal with him without it. He just has so much anxiety and depression.

"All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (in 1 Corinthians 6:12)

So, if I can not take no for an answer kindly and pleasantly and gently and humbly, then I am under the power of something . . . or someone; and therefore I am not functioning how God's love has us living.

"Love does no harm to a neighbor," Paul says in Romans 13:10.

Hebrews 12:4-11 says to seek our Father for His correction so we can live the way His love has us living. And we pray for each other

 

[kmrichard7]

Not sure who you are referring to as calling anyone who needs any medication a druggie. I personally was a druggie because I had no medical need for it, but if I had the legit need as you say you do, be darned if I'd a even waited for it to become legal.



Someone with no legit need, it would depend on the individual when it comes to the "so what". So what if they want to go to heaven and that is standing I their way and "so what" may not be a choice for them. On the other hand, I agree, if someone who doesn't have a medical need nor has a concern for God and what he wants, and as long as they aren't hurting anyone else, if that's what they want to do, then so what.

Since i know that the Bible says that ALL sins are equal, and that we are all with sin and all in danger judgement, I dont believe addicts to be any exception to the rule. They have just as much a chance of being saved as the next person who lives off of Mtn Dew, or someone who thinks they are favored by God more than the rest.

We are all broken in different ways. The way we are broken does not make us any less of a human nor does it make anyone else any better than us.

It breaks my heart that so many people think that addicts are useless, worthless, degenerates.

I used to think the same way. Both of my parents are addicts and for the longest time I held a lot of anger toward them for it. Thankfully God changed my heart. Thankfully now I can look at them with compassion now, as hurt struggling individuals in need of Gods love just as much as everyone else.

We all have our battles, some are just more obvious than others

 

[kmrichard7]

And please do tell me where in the Bible marijuana consumption is a sin. Please do. If it seperates us from God, tell me where.

Since the only legitimate argument i have every heard against it is the legality part (and the Bible does say to follow the laws) but it is legal in many states now, tell me where in the Bible it says that weed will seperate you from God.

I can tell you where it was wrotten that He gave us all the herbs and seeds. Tell me how it is sinful to use those herbs. Sure smoking it is questionable but say I made it into tea and drank it every day... Where does the Bible say this is wrong?

Or are we all nust being legalists, culturalists, asserting our views and claiming they are Gods?

 

[Kenny'sID]

Sigh.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Since i know that the Bible says that ALL sins are equal, and that we are all with sin and all in danger judgement, I dont believe addicts to be any exception to the rule. They have just as much a chance of being saved as the next person who lives off of Mtn Dew, or someone who thinks they are favored by God more than the rest.

We are all broken in different ways. The way we are broken does not make us any less of a human nor does it make anyone else any better than us.

It breaks my heart that so many people think that addicts are useless, worthless, degenerates.

I used to think the same way. Both of my parents are addicts and for the longest time I held a lot of anger toward them for it. Thankfully God changed my heart. Thankfully now I can look at them with compassion now, as hurt struggling individuals in need of Gods love just as much as everyone else.

We all have our battles, some are just more obvious than others

And please do tell me where in the Bible marijuana consumption is a sin. Please do. If it seperates us from God, tell me where.

Since the only legitimate argument i have every heard against it is the legality part (and the Bible does say to follow the laws) but it is legal in many states now, tell me where in the Bible it says that weed will seperate you from God.

I can tell you where it was wrotten that He gave us all the herbs and seeds. Tell me how it is sinful to use those herbs. Sure smoking it is questionable but say I made it into tea and drank it every day... Where does the Bible say this is wrong?

Read from the following link, KM. Then do your homework and look up the relevant terms mentioned so there is no mistake and either prove the commentary wrong or right.

Fair enough?

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sorcery.html

As far as all sin being the same, take a look at the different punishment for different sin in the old testament. But still you are right, they are the same, just not in the respect you are seeing.

You are very likely using that "all sin same" verse to support something it does not support at all, but again, look a little deeper if you dare and decide for yourself. There just happens to be a bit on that subject on the same site as linked to above at the following link:

http://www.gotquestions.org/sins-equal.html

 

[Hieronymus]

"Pharmakeiah" (probably spelled wrong..)

This may also be about medication though, millions of people are on psychopharmaca.

 

[Kenny'sID]

This may also be about medication though, millions of people are on psychopharmaca.

It is about medication, the point was it has to do with drugs in general and it's a listed sin. Yes there are legal drugs for a purpose of taking care of legitimate issues and then there is the druggie as we seem to be calling them now. Not saying Pharmacies are bad although there could be argument about Docs that put a person on drugs that aren't necessary and big Pharma's role in being in it for the almighty dollar but I'll stay away for all that for now and just try to get the one point across.

Think about it, it fits right in there with Witchcraft/Sorcery as potions. Potions that could have been thought of in times of old as magical potions. We understand them better now and all the science behind how the drug does what it does but that doesn't make it any less of a potion.

Potions that do more than just get people high. They offer riches and power to the grower in this case...power over people, make one plenty of so-called friends. I used to be a grower, I know and once I gave it up, all those so-called friends were nowhere to be found. They make one valuable to others, but none of it is real meaningful value. Much the same with most illegal drugs.

 

[Hieronymus]

It is about medication.

Not necesarily i.m.o.
The association with "sorcery" (into which it is translated) is not a mistake i.m.o.
Many substances, especially recreational drugs, have an influence on the pineal gland, our 'spiritual receptor'.
Shamans use it for that reason.

Here's an interesting pod-cast about sorcery and drugs in past and present:

 

[kmrichard7]

Read from the following link, KM. Then do your homework and look up the relevant terms mentioned so there is no mistake and either prove the commentary wrong or right.

Fair enough?

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-sorcery.html

As far as all sin being the same, take a look at the different punishment for different sin in the old testament. But still you are right, they are the same, just not in the respect you are seeing.

You are very likely using that "all sin same" verse to support something it does not support at all, but again, look a little deeper if you dare and decide for yourself. There just happens to be a bit on that subject on the same site as linked to above at the following link:

http://www.gotquestions.org/sins-equal.html

You provided pretty good insight. Thank you.

I do however believe, even if used in the way which the article suggests, that marijuana would not be included.

Marijuana has incredible medicinal effects, as much or more as many other naturally grown plants. Eating an apple provides amazing health benefits but i would have to disagree that it would be considered sorcery.

Marijuana is natural, it doesnt need mixtures and pharmacuetical companies to bring great health benefits. Medications from pharmacuetical companies that have mile long lists of side effects, those maybe I could understand.

Your second link was much more dissappointing. It is opinion based and not scriptural based. I dont buy into peoples opinions of what sosomething means. Either way though, their ideas are generally what I have gathered on my own.

An addict is on no greater risk of damnation as a man who overindulges in food, a theif, or a liar.

I feel as though we have derailed this thread though.

I apologize to the OP

 

[Kenny'sID]

I feel as though we have derailed this thread though.

Thought as much as I derailed was a good idea but yeah, for the sake of staying on topic, I'll leave it at that unless someone wants to start another thread on the matter.

 

[Goodbook]

As far as I know people dont smoke apples and apples dont put people in an altered state. Also, as far as I know, marijuana isnt eaten or made into a tea like regular herbs. It is a drug. Doesnt matter if its natural or not its still a drug.

As OP has stated, her friend is an addict, with the symptoms of someone who is addicted, so people that claim marijuana isnt addictive, clearly arent aware that it is or in denial.

Rehab is the best option.
Because your friend is around dealers etc he has to be away from that environment and learn to live without his fix. It is not by living with you that he will change, because dealers will come and harass him when you are not around. His cravings will get the better of him, now hes hooked and dependant. And you cannot monitor him 24/7. Let him answer to God, not you.

 

[mmksparbud]

As far as I know people dont smoke apples and apples dont put people in an altered state. Also, as far as I know, marijuana isnt eaten or made into a tea like regular herbs. It is a drug. Doesnt matter if its natural or not its still a drug.

As OP has stated, her friend is an addict, with the symptoms of someone who is addicted, so people that claim marijuana isnt addictive, clearly arent aware that it is or in denial.

Rehab is the best option.
Because your friend is around dealers etc he has to be away from that environment and learn to live without his fix. It is not by living with you that he will change, because dealers will come and harass him when you are not around. His cravings will get the better of him, now hes hooked and dependant. And you cannot monitor him 24/7. Let him answer to God, not you.

You are wrong---It is cooked and put into many things---I cooked it in a crockpot with water, lecithin and coconut oil---drank it twice a day for 1 1/2 yrs. Took much of my pain away, never once got high, I don't even know what it's like to get high. It is healthier than having to take 8 tramadol a day, I was down to about 2-3----There are people with addictive personalities---they look for an altered state, that is a different issue from medical use--I do not condone taking it to get high, but I'd have been dead without it for pain control. This man needs help---it is more than getting off marijuana---much more.