CAN CHRISTIANS USE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA?

Theology
Written By Baily McDaniel
marijuana leaf

Key Facts

  • On Decemeber 4, the House passed a bill to legalize marijuana at the federal level. [1]

  • Research has shown that even those with low THC concentrations in their blood (2.2 ngl/mL or less) were subject to failure of an impairment test. [2] 54% of the sample cases were judged as impaired. [3]

  • Lower concentrations of THC may affect a person in differing ways. While THC quickly decreases in the blood after smoking, it is often detectable in the blood for up to seven days post inhalation. Consuming cannabis before driving is a common occurrence that produces substantial morbidity and mortality on the roadway. [4]

  • Microdosing is the use of a consistent low dose of cannabis to address minor ailments such as anxiety or minor pains. This is often done through a pill form of the drug. However, the tolerance of each person differs significantly making it difficult to achieve the correct minor dosage on the first attempt. [5]

  • Regular marijuana use increases the chance that a teenager will develop psychosis, a pattern of unusual thoughts or perceptions, such as believing the television is transmitting secret messages. It also increases the risk of developing schizophrenia, a disabling brain disorder that not only causes psychosis, but also problems concentrating and loss of emotional expression. [6]

Key Scriptures

  • Ephesians 5:18 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”

  • 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”

  • Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

  • Romans 13:13 “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.”

  • 1 Corinthians 6:10 “nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.”

blunt in front of tropical background

Application

For many years the recreational use of marijuana was illegal across the United States. Therefore, Christians were often taught to refrain from marijuana use both in submission to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1) and due to its negative effects. As new laws are being passed in many states legalizing marijuana, many Christians may wonder if there is any biblical prohibition on the use of marijuana once it has been legalized by the government. 

The Science of Marijuana Usage 

Many people have claimed the use of marijuana not to get high, but to provide other benefits. One use of marijuana that is currently growing is microdosing. Microdosing is a way that people use marijuana to help promote sleep, increase mood, reduce stress, and increase creativity. [7] The goal of microdosing is not to get the ‘high’ feeling produced by the THC in marijuana, but only to receive the benefits. However, microdosing is not an exact science. Christians encounter the same problem as people who attempt to drink exactly to a .07 blood alcohol content in order to drive safely. That is, it is very difficult to use the exact amount of the drug to achieve the stage directly prior to intoxication. Those who microdose legally do not use it while driving or in other similar situations. This example is only to show the difficulty of achieving specific levels of the drug in one’s system. 

In addition, it may be even more difficult to achieve the desired level of marijuana in one’s system than for a person attempting to achieve as desired .07 blood alcohol content. This is because there is no breathalyzer test for marijuana use and it takes much less substance to intoxicate a person. The individual usually has to rely only on their own senses and the way the drug is affecting them. Microdosing is usually a process of trial and error that can lead to accidental intoxication while attempting to discover correct dosages. Some doctors have claimed to avoid impairment through a specific approach to microdosing. However, the effects of marijuana can be delayed and no approach can account for all factors.

Marijuana usage is continuing as more research and advancement is required to address many of these concerns. The current information may not be sufficient to ensure that a Christian will have a sound mind while using small amounts of marijuana (2 Tim. 1:7). However it is likely, as many states continue to legalize the drug, that this research and technology will be produced soon. The research is ongoing, and microdosing is becoming more apparent in society. 

Yet another concern produced by marijuana usage is its links to schizophrenia and psychosis. [8] The association between marijuana and mental health problems highlights just one of the many negative effects marijuana can have on the brain. Some studies have found that marijuana can lower your IQ and impair your long-term cognitive ability. [9] More studies are continuing to determine the exact relationship to mental health concerns and the risk of damage to the brain for marijuana users. 

What Does the Bible Say? 

The Bible does not specifically address the use of marijuana. However, drunkenness is clearly prohibited (Eph. 5:18). The principle set forth by the biblical prohibition on drunkenness can be applied to the question of Christian use of marijuana. Many may advocate for the use of marijuana within moderation because it seems relatively easy to avoid the feeling of intoxication. However, there are many factors that affect one’s absorption of THC, therefore it is nearly impossible to ensure the avoidance of impairment with modern technology. The impairment displayed in those who drive after consuming cannabis is similar to the impairment demonstrated with drunkenness. 

If an individual is able to avoid intoxication through the measuring of their THC absorption, would it be permissible for a Christian to use cannabis? It appears that, according to the Scripture, this may be permissible. The Bible does not prohibit the use of substances, but rather the intoxication caused by overuse of them (Eph. 5:18). 

However, as Christians, we are called not only to ask what is permissible or lawful, but also what is beneficial (1 Cor. 10:23). Pastor Joshua Ryan Butler argues that marijuana pulls you within yourself and causes you to become more disengaged. [10] In addition to the concern of disengagement, Christians should be careful to be above reproach and not damage their witness unnecessarily (2 Cor. 6:3). It seems that the use of this drug does not work toward the goals of the Christian life and instead results in behavior which goes against our calling (Eph. 2:10). 

It is also important that Christians take care of their physical bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20). The negative effects of marijuana use on one’s mental health reveal that its use is not beneficial to one’s overall physical health. This issue alone should result in extreme caution for Christians. Along with the aforementioned concerns of marijuana use, it appears that Christians should avoid the use of recreational marijuana. 

worker processing marijuana plants

Conclusion

Christians may disagree on their approach to the use of recreational marijuana and the way that small doses affect their body. However, it seems most sensible, given the science and biblical teachings, to avoid the risk of marijuana use because it does not have positive benefits for believers in almost any situation.

Baily McDaniel
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