Questions About Christians and Pot

Questions come up from time to time about Christians drinking or getting high. The Bible says a lot about the use and misuse of alcohol but nothing directly addressing marijuana, cocaine, heroin or other drugs.

There may be objections to using Bible verses about alcohol to answer questions about marijuana or other drugs but I think that the allowances for the use of alcohol and the cautions about its abuse prove to be informative.

This is in no way a complete list of what the Bible says about the use and abuse of alcohol but the following verses have spoken to me the most and they have helped me formulate my personal view of moderation, responsible medical use, and avoiding judging others or causing someone to stumble
 

No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities. (1 Timothy 5:23)

Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. (Proverbs 31:6-7)

Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. (Proverbs 20:1)

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-21)

It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. (Romans 14:21)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Personally, I have a need to be in control of my being so much so that I stay away from pretty much everything. Not judging anyone, but for me one glass of wine at Thanksgiving would be a lot for the whole year – by the way I can’t even finish half a beer! I am such a light weight but seriously, I have issues with side effects even with over the counter medications. Even though I live in a state that has legalized recreational marijuana I don’t use it, but if a medical issue became untreatable I would be open to trying medical cannabis.

Peace, Love and Light!

Kevin (Cloud)

Meth Madness

There is a local tabloid distributed for free here in paradise that has a history of being quite a bit left of center on most issues. This week's cover story may have pushed them off the charts this time. The local rag did a piece on methamphetamine, but for some reason they made the editorial decision to publish the recipe along with step-by-step instructions to produce meth. True, this info most likely is available on the internet, but what an reckless and irresponsible thing to do!

Why would this widely read tabloid publish in great detail the steps of meth production? Their sister publication in the next county also has a cover story on the same subject that is much more informative about the dangers of meth use and a much better use of paper and ink! Meth is no light subject for me. This wasn't a recipe for Alice B. Tokeless brownies, this is a recipe for the poison that is killing members of my family! I have seen this drug slowly destroy my loved ones and they have the nerve to publish the recipe with only a tongue and cheek caveat about the dangers of meth use. What were they thinking?

I have to wonder how many of their advertisers are rethinking their contracts with this popular tabloid? I sent the reporter and her editor an e-mail in hopes that they would correct this grave misuse of their position in our community as a source of news and information by publishing a series of articles to raise awareness about the dangers of meth use. I have not received any response yet. The local news talk radio program has spent the last two days taking calls from outraged listeners throughout the county, boy are there a lot of pissed-off folks out there!

You should check out the Mothers Against Methamphetamine web site at www.mamasite.net for the truth about meth from a medical doctor who lost her brother to this dangerous drug.

Peace, Love, and Light through Jesus the Christ!

Kevin (Cloud)

Photo: DOJ