Is it right to consume cannabis?
For most evangelicals in America, the question was long a moot point because marijuana consumption was illegal. But today, 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana use, and 40 states allow medical usage.
According to the Pew Research Center, Americans broadly approve of marijuana consumption now, with only 23 percent of adults believing it to be morally wrong. Even among evangelicals, most believe it’s morally permissible, while some say it’s either “not morally wrong” or “not a moral issue.”
But many things are legal and popular yet still unwise. Is marijuana use right for Christians seeking to walk worthy of our calling (Eph. 4:1)?
First, we should understand the terms. Cannabis refers to the entire plant, and marijuana refers to the part of the plant harvested and produced specifically to produce a high. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary psychoactive compound, and here I’ll focus on marijuana, which contains a significant amount of THC. (CBD is a popular ingredient in restorative and medical applications. It does not have THC and therefore doesn’t have mind-altering properties.)
There’s no Bible verse that says, Thou shalt not smoke weed. But we can and should consider several scriptural principles in our moral decision-making about this drug, and I believe they lead to the conclusion that cannabis has no place in the life of a Christian.
Click Here to Read More (Originally Published at Christianity Today)
Daniel Darling is the director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Seminary. This was adapted with permission from his new book, Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Life: Ethical Answers to Cultural Questions.
