Medical cannabis consumption--always contrary to God's will?

[Adam Edh]

I have smoked my fair share of marijuana, mostly for recreational purposes, in my days as an unrepentant sinner. Needless to say I am no longer comfortable with such a lifestyle, and have distanced myself from that crowd.

There are however certain subtle matters that I would like to hear your thoughts on. I am at best a total "babe", seeking to hearken unto the reasoning of those blessed with spiritual discernment.

Now, I know some of the basic arguments employed in this debate. Some would have it that the keneh bosem lauded in the Pentateuch is really a cannabis cognate, possibly derived from Proto-Semitic, but more likely an Indo-European ("Scythian", to the extent that this represents a valid linguistic label) loanword. This argument seems spurious for several reasons, but as I have very little knowledge of Hebrew, I can't pretend to judge this matter either way.

More fundamentally, we are instructed to obey the lawful authorities. I can't imagine that consuming cannabis is a specific divine decree, so in the great majority of contexts, this serves to limit the scope of the discussion.

Most would have it that the "sorcery" of the Bible, φαρμακεία, refers (among other things) to drug use. The question remains to me, however, whether this is drug use with the specific purpose of contacting "spirits" (demonic entities), a general admonition against recreational drug use (though there seems to be Biblical support for responsible recreational alcohol use--and wine to gladden the heart of man--and it seems clear to me that alcohol is indeed a drug, and a very destructive one at that; alcohol psychoses are supposedly more common, per capita, than marijuana psychoses, and I know from experience that those given to drink enter more overtly sinful modes of being than those who use marijuana), or a strict prohibition against all drug use (including that which is deemed medically beneficial and legal).

Then again, as a counterweight to the above Psalm, there are far more verses in the Bible that speak of the sinfulness of "drunkards". Who is a drunkard, though? Is it he who is slightly inebriated on occasion? He who is habitually drunk?

It is generally argued that it is possible to drink alcohol "in moderation", but not so with "drugs" (notwithstanding that alcohol is indeed a drug, and one of the more destructive ones at that). Is this really the case, though? Surely it is possible to smoke (or eat, or inhale the vapour of) marijuana without getting "stoned", just as it is possible to drink wine or beer without getting "wasted".

We are urged to seek natural and plant-based medicine in lieu of synthetic pharmaceuticals whenever possible. Clearly, the argument employed by many a stoner ("God created every plant for us to use howsoever we please") to justify their addiction is a prime heresy and silly misinterpretation. Is it not so, though, that cannabis does offer clear medical benefits in some (obviously most "medical marijuana" use is covertly recreational) cases?

I apologize if this topic is against the guidelines of your forum, and if this is the case, I ask you to delete it and correct me instead of banning me. It is really not my intent to try to justify drug addiction or mindless pleasure-seeking here. I simply have a LOT of questions, and I respect your guidance.

[Victor Hafichuk]

In a nutshell and as a most general response for the moment, Adam, your answer is this:

Matthew 6:25-34 MKJV
(25) Therefore I say to you, Do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
(26) Behold the birds of the air; for they sow not, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them; are you not much better than they are?
(27) Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature?
(28) And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not toil, nor do they spin,
(29) but I say to you that even Solomon in his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(30) Therefore if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much rather clothe you, little-faiths?
(31) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?
(32) For the nations seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
(33) But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.
(34) Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it.

I'll wait for others to reply to your post and may then reply. You do ask some
valid questions. The main question is perhaps why you're asking them. What is your motivation?

[Tang Williams]

Medical cannabis will become legalised in Australia from November of this year. One day this drug is illegal and in the next it is legal.

Even as in some parts of the world where the consumption of marijuana [for recreational purposes] is now legalised, does this mean this lifestyle is now acceptable to God? The real issue is not the drug itself [whether synthetic or otherwise]. It is the motive of both the supplier and consumer.

Like the cancer foundation here, they are looking to cure a disease without first going to the core of our lifestyle, and food and water source for answers! It is all about serving mammon.

With all your intellectual gymnastics of the carnal mind, you are missing the point when the Bible is talking about drunkards. The Sects [and scholars] in the Bible knew the Word but did not know the Lord [even when He appeared in the flesh]. They were spiritually drunk and consumed with themselves to see!

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. Joel 1:5 KJV

I would like to share my revelation of myself being a drunkard. I depended on alcohol, gambling, food, pornography, humanistic type books and other media, and sex thinking that it brought me relief to the pain I was carrying. I became so consumed in it and it overtook me. Being physically drunk I had minimal control with my body. But, being spiritually drunk takes over and having minimal control of your mind and [dark] heart. Your focus is simply on the flesh and lust of this world seeking more relief. I could go on, but simply put, being a [spiritual] drunkard brings destruction into your life! Painful!

If you are talking about [true] healing through [physical] medicine alone, it will not work. Having the Lord in my life, has healed me and delivered me in many areas in my life. I still have more areas that requires healing, but the Lord is helping me as I trust in Him.

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21 KJV

[Tang Williams]

Just remembered, I depended on anything and everything other than the Lord because I was a drunkard ... simply put, under bondage!