Talks regarding Cannabis (marijuana) have been meandering for numerous years. Questions about its safety have raised much debate and the issue of legalisation has evoked much speculation. What is the opinion of the Christian community? Are their conceptions on marijuana unified or diversified?
Marijuana itself refers to dried female flowers of varieties of cannabis. The hemp plant contains 3% or more tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. It has been used for thousands of years for medical, social and religious reasons, as well as for personal relaxation. Archaeologists state that Cannabis was one of the first plants cultivated by humans around 8000 BC. Its fibre was used for rope, paper, sails and garments. It was reported as a medicine for the first time in China by 2700 BC. The first Archaeological remains of Cannabis in England date back to 400 AD where evidence suggests it was cultivated and dispersed at a great rate. A number of faiths use the Hemp plant and consider it to have a sacramental value.
Under Elizabeth I it was law that if your land exceeded a certain size, some of it had to be set aside to grow the Hemp plant. How times have changed. 'Now', under Elizabeth II you can spend up to 14 years in prison and face an unlimited fine for growing Cannabis. So when? I hear you ask, did the change surrounding Cannabis begin? It began in 1924 at the Geneva Opiates Conference. A delegate convinced the conference that Cannabis was a great threat to society. He argued that it should be subject to the same controls as opiates such as heroin. Cannabis was soon listed as a dangerous narcotic and subjected to strict control. The British government soon followed the declaration, and Cannabis became illegal in he UK on September 28th, 1928 under The Dangerous Drugs Act.
So, is Cannabis good or evil? This is an unresolved question that has been in circulation for centuries. It is argued that 'all things are lawful' - 1Cor 6:12-13, so why make it illegal? Cannabis has indeed suffered from unwarranted or 'bad press', but from who's perspective? The truth is that we don't want to create or extend the 'Dark Ages'. We are fully aware now that bad decisions can harm the Church's influence in the future. Can consuming Marijuana be equated with or under the definition of 'drunkenness'?
Today there are various arguments for and against the so-called 'recreational' drug.
For Cannabis
- "The only clinically significant medical problem that is scientifically linked to marijuana is bronchitis. Like smoking tobacco, the treatment is the same: stop smoking." Dr. Fred Oerther, MD, 1991.)
- Cannabis has medicinal qualities.
- Alcohol and tobacco are already available. The law is therefore inconsistent.
- Cannabis is so widely available that the law is serving no useful purpose.
- Using cannabis does not necessarily lead to the use of 'harder' drugs.
- Prohibition has led to organised crime. Legalisation would result in a dramatic fall in price, so removing the need for people to fund an expensive habit by crime.
- The present law is an unjustifiable constraint on civil liberties. Drug taking is a victimless crime.
- Attempts at enforcing the existing law are failing. The time and resources spent on enforcement would be better spent on education.
- Cannabis is unfairly singled out from other culturally acceptable drugs such as alcohol and nicotine.
- The right of 'all' plants to grow (being created by God).
- Cannabis can be considered a legitimate 'emotional' medicine.
- Suppression of Marijuana for prohibition, suppresses economic development.
Against Cannabis
- Whether it is smoked or eaten, it can cause dryness in the mouth, reddened eyes, a faster heartbeat, and a feeling of being 'high' (light footed) for a few hours.
- May cause drowsiness, distraction or anxiety.
- The smoke contains potential carcinogens (the risk can be reduced by taking smaller inhalations and exhaling in a few seconds, by using a "vaporizer" to release THC without burning, or by eating it).
- It is argued that Cannabis causes psychotic experiences e.g. fantasies, hallucinations and paranoia.
- Drugs are a means of escapism and distort one's perception of reality. No one can ever solve their problems by running away from them. Interactions with God are free from chemical inducement.
- The inability of 'moderate' users to logically discourage 'heavy' users.
- Users of cannabis are more likely to experiment with other 'harder' drugs. Cannabis itself can be harmful.
- Dependence on drugs or alcohol compounds problems e.g. a Cannabis user keeps a black market going (with all its violent implications), detrimental to society's productivity and welfare.
- The anti marijuana law was created by informed rational individuals.
- The government have a duty to protect its citizens, even from their own actions and to lay down a moral framework.
- The necessity for a Christian to maximise and have immediate use of their abilities.
- Avoiding behaviour that leads your brother (or sister) astray.
- When intoxicated, people lose control. This often leads to wrong actions such as irresponsible behaviour, violence or sexual immorality (Ephesians 5 v 18)
- Substance abuse leads to problems in health, relationships and work.
- Money spent on alcohol or drugs is not available for food, housing and clothing. This can have profound effects on the family. (Proverbs 21 v 17; Proverbs 23 vv 20-21, 29-35; Isaiah 28 v 7)
- Ultimately man's problem is one of a relationship with God broken by sin. Only by recognising this and by turning to God in repentance can man find peace with God and power to change a wrong way of life.
- Christians are instructed that their body 'is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6 v 19. See also Romans 12 v 1) they are not to abuse their bodies. Christians are exhorted to "be alert and self-controlled. (1 Thessalonians 5 v 6; 1 Peter 5 v 8) " They are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by alcohol. (Ephesians 5 v 18) Within the Church, a qualification of all Christian leaders is that they should 'not be given to drunkenness' (1 Timothy 3 v 3)
The use of 'recreational drugs' (like cannabis and ecstasy) was widespread in the 1990's. In the 1994 British Crime Survey 42% of men and 30% of females aged between 20 and 24 indicated that they had used cannabis. (1994 British Crime Survey, Home Office Research Study 151. Pub 1996 Page 84) According to a 1996 Health Education Authority survey 78% of young people aged between 20 and 22 had been offered illegal drugs and 54% had taken them. (Drugs Realities, National Drugs Campaign Survey. Health Education Authority 1996 Page 5)
Britain along with other nations has Christians at the cutting edge of developing new care services for prevention. It is well known that strong faith is related to a lower addiction level. A profound conversion experience is often followed by successful rehabilitation. Organisations across Britain such as Yeldall Manor have set a national standard for professionalism in a non-judgmental environment. Christian values form the organisation but are not forced upon people. There is a grave shortage of rehab facilities in Britain today. Rehab works. There is life after drug dependence however, the discrepancy continues. The Church continues to struggle. Until it finalises its position on tobacco, it has little to say to the cannabis user. When was the last time you heard a sermon on smoking? Yet nicotine is probably more addictive than heroin, and certainly a greater killer. Nicotine is also a gateway drug for younger teenagers. In order to plan for the future, the youth must be focussed upon. An early indicator for whether or not cannabis and other drugs will be used in the future is whether or not the teenager already uses tobacco and alcohol.
Christians believe that everyone has a natural tendency to act wrongly. (Romans 3 v 23) The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart.
The way the law stands; Cannabis is a class B drug (except for Cannabis Oil which is sometimes considered a Class A drug). It is illegal to posses, produce, supply or grow the drug except under a special Home Office licence for research or other special cases. It addition it is an offence to allow a premises to be used for supplying, producing or using Cannabis.
The debate continues… should it be legalised or at least decriminalised? Recently in the UK, more than half of those found in possession of the drug have been merely cautioned than prosecuted: "Goodness does not come naturally. Weak, tempted humans need authority and fear to promote their goodness."
Elliott Stubbs
Drug Rehab
References
Premier Media Group is not responsible for the content of any external websites. Please read our disclaimer.