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 Yesterday on the blog we argued that even though the Bible is silent on recreational marijuana usage, we can clearly condemn it as sin. Why? Because the Bible clearly condemns drunkenness. Here’s the formula we shared: · 

  • The Bible prohibits drunkenness because it is a form of intoxication. ·        
  • The Bible is silent on recreational marijuana usage, but it is a form of intoxication.
  • Therefore, by implicit principle, the  Bible prohibits recreational marijuana usage. 

But of course, this formula leads to a natural question. If it’s possible to consume small quantities of alcohol without resorting to drunkenness, is the same true for marijuana? Is it possible to indulge in recreational marijuana in moderation? Is it possible to consume small quantities of marijuana without disobeying the Scripture’s clear prohibition against intoxication?

Before we answer our question about the possibility of moderate marijuana consumption, it will be helpful to explain a bit about marijuana. In their book Jesus and Mary (Jane) Navigating Marijuana & Cannabis in Light of Science and Scripture, authors Charlie Granade and Barnabas Sprinkle explain:

Cannabis is the scientific name of the plant (cannabis sativa and varietals) and includes both marijuana and hemp. Marijuana plants are the female cannabis, with flowers that contain enough tetrahydrocannabinol, THC to get you “high.” Hemp is the term generally used for male cannabis plants, which have very little THC. . . . Hemp, by contrast, is used to produce cannabidiol (CBD) oil and extracts, which are used medicinally for pain, anxiety, seizures, and other conditions. By itself CBD does not produce a high.[1]

The intoxicating power of marijuana comes from its THC content. Interestingly, as the recreational marijuana usage has grown in public acceptance, so too has its average THC content. At the time of Woodstock, marijuana contained 4-5% THC or less. Today marijuana usually contains between 15-20% THC.[2] There also exist formulated concentrates such as “wax” and “shatter” that approach 99% THC.[3]

But even if the THC content in recreational marijuana remained at 1960s levels, it would still pose a serious moral concern for Christians. Granade and Sprinkle explain, “As early as a few seconds of taking your first hit of a joint or bong, your mind is already starting to be altered. That’s the point.”[4] In an interview with Christine Tatum, who co-authored Clearing the Haze: Helping Families Face Teen Addiction, she confirmed:

There is no on-ramp with weed, much less THC concentrate. It’s not like alcohol, which provides a ramp up toward inebriation, giving the opportunity to slow down or stop before reaching full impairment. With just one hit and within seconds, you are high. To say one is getting only a little high is akin to saying “I’m only a little pregnant.” No, with marijuana and/or THC, it’s all or nothing.[5]

And smoking is not the only issue. Marijuana edibles have increased in popularity in recent years. But edibles are no less dangerous than smoking a joint. In fact, growing research suggests they may even be more dangerous. Edible highs hit later and last longer.[6] The American Addiction Centers warn: “Due to the delayed onset and uncertain potency of edibles, many people who use these products may unintentionally consume excessively high amounts of THC.”[7]

The Bottom Line

What, then, is the bottom line? Let’s revisit our formula with a few modifications: ·        

  • The Bible prohibits drunkenness because it is a form of intoxication. ·        
  • The Bible is silent on recreational marijuana usage, but intoxication is virtually unavoidable. ·        
  • Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that recreational marijuana usage is prohibited based on biblical principles.

For these reasons, we believe Christians should labor to abstain from any recreational marijuana usage, putting it to death by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Come back tomorrow for answers to a few frequently asked questions on this topic.

[1] Charlie Granade and Barnabas Sprinkle, Jesus and Mary (Jane): Navigating Marijuana & Cannabis in Light of Science and Scripture, 2020, 13–14.

[2] Beth Wiese and Adrianne R. Wilson-Poe, “Emerging Evidence for Cannabis’ Role in Opioid Use Disorder,” Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research 3, no. 1 (September 1, 2018): 179–89, https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2018.0022.

[3] Alex Berenson, Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence (New York: Simon and Schuster, 2019), 16, 19.

[4] Granade and Sprinkle, Jesus and Mary (Jane), 15.

[5] As quoted in Granade and Sprinkle, 15.

[6] Bruce Barcott, the Senior Editor of a popular marijuana news resource, writes, “The differences between inhaled THC and ingested THC (via edibles) were significant. It’s widely known that the effects of THC and other cannabinoids will be felt within minutes by consumers who smoke or vape cannabis products, while an edible or beverage can take up to an hour or more to hit. In their review of the scientific literature, McCartney and colleagues found that the intoxicating effects of edibles and beverages usually last much longer than inhaled products. Those researchers found that smoking or vaping 20mg of THC diminished a driver’s reaction time for roughly four hours. But ingesting 20mg of THC via an edible or beverage diminished reaction time for eight hours, twice as long. The study’s data indicated a THC-impaired driver’s reaction time was diminished at a significant but not dramatic level.” Bruce Barcott, “How Long Will a Weed High Last?,” Leafly (blog), April 14, 2021, https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/how-long-will-a-weed-high-last.

[7] “The Real Dangers of Consuming Marijuana Edibles,” American Addiction Centers, May 17, 2021, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/marijuana-rehab/risks-of-edibles.