But...So Many Benefits

Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C § 811), the Federal Government classifies the use of marijuana or cannabis as illegal. It is classified as a Schedule I drug, which is highly addictive and carries no medicinal value. Further, in response to state-wide and local movements to change the law on marijuana, US court rulings and various budgetary amendments (Rohrbacher-Farr) have limited Federal capacity to prosecute where state and federal law conflict. However, organizations like Americans for Safe Access are pushing for more relief of regulations, and 29 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for various medicinal uses. The states of Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and Washington allow limited recreational marijuana use with specific anti-trafficking and anti-crime restrictions. Proponents argue cannabis is less addictive and carries fewer negative side effects than conventional or more commonly prescribed pain killers.

Those same proponents offer varying claims of effectiveness; however, no consensus exists partly due to research restrictions only recently lifted. Still, claims of effectiveness against body pain (fibromyalgia), migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, and seizures have been among the benefits of the drug.

But what are the facts?

Marijuana/Cannabis is addictive despite proponent claims to the contrary.

Each year, more than 360,000 patients are admitted to treatment facilities for addiction to marijuana. Twenty-eight percent of addicts are between twelve and seventeen years old and forty-three percent are younger than twenty-one. Nearly twenty percent of all patients who enter treatment for addiction cite marijuana as their primary drug, with another twenty-one percent claiming marijuana as an enabler or gateway drug but not their primary addiction.

According to addict interviews, the total number of addicts who can claim marijuana as their primary drug is likely closer to 3.5 million, with more than 1 million of those of high school age or younger. These interviews identified fellow addicts, associates, and friends in social circles who either refuse to admit addiction or who prefer the addict lifestyle.

Nearly seven percent of high-school age children in the US claim marijuana as a daily use drug.

Marijuana carries severe unwanted side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. These side effects are often treated in the ER as most addicts don’t carry insurance.

Withdrawal from marijuana (not addictive?) includes severe symptoms as well. They include: irritability, insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, anger and emotional swings, headaches, depression, loss of appetite, and cravings.

But where do we, as Christians, stand on the issue of marijuana/cannabis, and how is it any different than hydrocodone or caffeine?

First, the Bible doesn’t directly address illicit drug use – or drug addiction for that matter. However, there are several scriptures that lead us to avoid addictive substances. The Bible treats addiction as an idol, which replaces God in the worshiper's dependence relationship. Once we’ve removed the one true God and replaced Him with our dependence on anything (money, drugs, success, sex, etc.) it becomes an idolatrous relationship, a clear violation of God’s word.

“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exod 20:3, NIV)

That one verse, plain and simple, commands Christians to not become addicted to drugs, including marijuana. But how is marijuana different than legal drugs that are equally or even more addictive?

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8, NIV)

Physicians have a legal and ethical responsibility to manage your drug use and care to prevent addiction. That doesn’t always happen, and Christians can and do become hooked on prescription drugs, but the first line of defense is always a sober mind and deliberate watchful defense against addiction. When drugs such as hydrocodone (or medical marijuana) are involved, expanded supervision from family and friends can aid in defending against addictive behavior. That same defense must be enacted against addiction to medical marijuana.

But what about recreational use that doesn’t lead to addiction?

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor 6:19-20, NIV)

How many churches forbid or counsel against drinking coffee or soda as strongly as they do against pornography, idolatry or murder? At least 15 million Americans (that number is likely much greater) claim membership in religious denominations that have some type of rule about caffeine. Those churches have recognized, some to an extreme, that caffeine is just as addictive and just as damaging to your body as illicit drugs. Yet caffeine is legal and among some circles praised for its properties.

So our challenge today, on this very frigid third day of 2018, is to recognize that social attitudes on marijuana may be changing, but God’s word is not. Anything addictive has the potential to replace God in our most important relationship of all and must be treated with great caution and trepidation. CNN may praise governmental enlightenment that enables recreational cannabis, but God does not.

“…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…”