Some Thoughts on the Use of Marijuana
The use of marijuana (cannabis) has become more common again in the recent years. Many of us who grew up during the 1970s or later have known a previous season in which marijuana was a part of our social world and often personal experience. While the issue may not be new, the cultural perspective and nature of its use has changed.
We understand individuals have different views on the merits and problems with such use. Some have experienced how marijuana negatively affected responsibility in their own life or that of those they knew or needed. Some consider it at least similar to alcohol…a substance that may have negative potential but is just a personal choice one has to be responsible about. Then some declare that marijuana is a gift from God… often citing the Biblical text in which God says to Adam, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” (Genesis 1:29) While we can infer there was originally some good use of all original plants, it doesn’t declare what each plant was good for. Obviously we know many plants are deadly if eaten. So we don’t believe that such a passage provides any specific application for the use of the cannabis plant.
Some have also suggested that the Bible actually taught that cannabis was used as God’s healing provision as part of the herbs used in the oils and incense included in worship. However, such potential does not include any such common use nor parallel application. [1]
We do now understand that active ingredients in the cannabis plant can provide some positive effects for certain conditions. As such it has been used in medicinal ways long ago…and we should support the way it may provide some valid help for such particular medical conditions. However, this does not provide a basis for simply any form of “using” marijuana…but rather that of discovering what elements of the plant may serve ailments and then using those as such.
We also recognize that being under the influence of marijuana may be less harmful than that of alcohol… in terms of correlations with driving and domestic violence…but only in a matter of degree.
We also recognize that the use of marijuana has been given greater legal freedom. While some may equate “legalization” which legitimation…we should realize that the increasing “freedom” has not come because there are no problems associated with it’s use…but because the cost of maintaining criminal consequences (i.e. arrest, trials, and jail) are no longer deemed worthwhile for the value gained.
We believe that real “freedom” comes with a more thoughtful choice about whether using marijuana will ultimately be good for one’s life. We believe that any actual consideration of it serving us in a generally “good” way, should be honest in considering the negative effects as well.
There are some increasingly substantiated negative effects that should be considered. Substantial evidence from animal research and a growing number of studies in humans indicate that marijuana exposure during development can cause long-term or possibly permanent adverse changes in the brain. [2] In addition, driving under the influence of cannabis has proven to "increases the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident." [3] There is the potential to selfishly risk the lives of others if driving under the influence.
The more pervasive effect however, is that of marijuana reducing our ability to fully engage and be responsible to others. We believe that Jesus came to call human lives back into life in relationship to God… and the potential to love others as God does. Some may differ regarding how much the use of marihuana hinders one’s focus, but we believe that an honest assessment of its influence recognizes some loss of focus. Those we hope to develop a significant relationship with (friends, employers, spouses, and children) will look and ask themselves: “Do they experience one under the influence of marijuana as more or less centered, attentive, and responsible to them?”
As one expressed it, “There is a reason that marijuana has long been associated with the couch, a bag of chips, and a television remote. Put another way, marijuana has never been associated with engaged parenting. Regular marijuana use causes disengagement, dulling individuals into a long-term, slow, and subtle numbness. If you ask almost anyone who has formerly used cannabis on a regular basis, he will speak about this phenomenon. To confirm this testimony, studies have shown a high correlation between regular cannabis use and the clinical diagnosis of Amotivational Syndrome.” [4]
While the use of marijuana usually allows one to stay engaged with others in some capacity… and it may even seem to reduce some anxiety… it does so at the cost of potentially impairing motivation and engagement … with life and others. While the use of marijuana may only be minimally physically addictive…it is correlated with emotional dependency. It has become a growing means of “self-medicating.” The nature of “self-medicating” is that it can serve a legitimate need…but in a potentially unhealthy manner.
What cannot be dismissed is nature of giving oneself to another “influence.” That other influence potentially conflicts with the nature of being “self-controlled”…which ultimately involves being Spirit controlled. As such, the Bible says, “Don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:” (Eph. 5:18) As most recognize, use of marijuana differs from alcohol in terms of “being under the influence” only when one chooses to use at a given level … beyond “moderation.” While getting “high” may never create the level of being “out of control" like that of an extreme drunken state, even a small use of marijuana creates a significant effect unlike moderate consumption of some alcoholic drinks… particularly when during or after eating.
We believe that the most valuable consideration is not so much about the 'what' question…but the 'why' question. When we focus on “What am I allowed to do?”….we only create new rules…not new hearts who love God and their neighbor. When we focus on “What am I allowed to do?” the question often only leads us further into a deadly self-obsession ….whether into self-righteous legalism or self-serving liberalists. When we shift the question to “Why do we do what we do? Why might I use this? Is this helpful for my neighbor and me?"… we are more naturally drawn to God’s heart for us and others. [5] When we honestly consider “why” we might use marijuana, we can begin to consider aspects of life we may be trying to escape from…and how God may want to develop our potential to positively engage such challenges.
In summary…
The legalization of marijuana may suggest the legitimization… but it does not tell us anything about whether it will help or hurt our lives.
The use of marijuana does not involve any form of “moderation” in which, like alcohol, there are forms and levels in which one is not substantially “under the influence.”
Most people recognize that the use of marijuana diminishes focus…and as such…it may provide immediate relief from worry and anxiety… while developing a “self-medicating” dependency on avoiding aspects of life.
Therefore, we believe that the most valuable consideration regarding using marijuana, is “why” one would use it. Our hope is to get beyond some over-simplifying arguments “for” or “against” the use of marijuana… and explore more honestly what is involved with our choices.
Notes:
1. The primary point that is argued about the role of cannabis from the Bible, is whether reference to the plant named in Hebrew as “Kaneh Bosm” (Exodus 30:23, Song of Songs 4:14, Isaiah 43:24, Jeremiah 6:20, and Ezekiel 27:19…included in prescribed formation of sacramental incense) refers to Calamus or Cannabis… the hemp plant (as Dr. Sula Benet, an etymologist from Poland, purported in 1936 work). Most agree that it is not clear. Some point to cannabis / hemp as used in medicinal and other ways so widely… and linguistically more connected than calamus. Even if it could have been hemp / cannabis, it can be noted that nowhere is there support for using this plant 1) in a common daily use, 2) in any similar form that would bear the effects of what is used today, and 3) for any psycho-effective means to know or connect with God. So while there is nothing than negates the potential for use of cannabis in discovered medical value …especially when separated from intoxicating effects, there is nothing that supports any form of common use of marijuana simply because it was part of old forms of incense… nor to simply enjoy because of the state it induces.
What would seem clear is that those who reject medicinal values have no basis or need for such rejection. As research provides greater clarity to what active ingredients might serve the human body’s systems well… such applications should be valued and monitored like any other. Similarly, those who are suggesting that cannabis was meant to be part of the common needed help or healing agent to the human body system, are creating a connection that is never made clear in the Biblical history or teaching. What was used in the incense and aroma is not described as serving daily life, never is explicit about what was meant to be a healing ingredient in itself, and the effects would have only limited correlation to common use of marijuana use today.
2. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-long-term-effects-brain
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/references
3. National Academies of Sciences - http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/01/12/509488977/marijuanas-health-effects-scientists-weigh-in
Canadian assessment – https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-abuse/talking-about-drugs/driving-impaired-drug.html
CNN posted report – http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/27/health/drugged-driving-death-rates-report/
4. Marijuana to the Glory of God by Jeff Lacine
Further assessment on marijuana and motivation:
Amotivational Syndrome and Marijuana Use - Gary L. Wenk Ph.D. Gary L. Wenk Ph.D
Notes that the “Amotivational Syndrome” is still unclear as an actual definable diagnosis, but there is a physical relationship between marijuana and motivation that appears at least clear depending on age, genetics, length of use.
Science Daily - Cannabis reduces short-term motivation to work for money: September 1, 2016
Summary of a recent study that suggests clear effect on short term motivation.