A Nation Going to Pot

Debates are going on right now in the U. S. regarding the legalization of marijuana. In recent years, a few states have decriminalized pot to varying degrees. Some allow only small quantities for medical usage. Others such as Colorado and Washington permit recreational usage of cannabis if purchased from authorized dealers.

While in high school I heard this saying: “Man made booze, God made grass. Who do you trust? God.” Even some Christians try to justify marijuana usage because of what God said in Genesis 1:29, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.” Keep in mind this statement was made before the Fall of Man.

Not every plant is beneficial if taken internally. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poisonous mushrooms are also plants. The latter is good for breaking down dead wood but certainly bad for eating. Even cocaine originates from green leaves.

Hemp is good for making rope but contrary to medicinal claims, there are health hazards connected with smoking it such as brain damage and an increased heart rate. According to new figures from the Washington State Patrol, more drivers there have tested positive for marijuana since the drug was legalized. This may have contributed to more car accidents.

American Center for Law and Justice founder Jay Sekulow has said, “If anyone tells you that you cannot legislate morality, remember that legislation is morality.” Additional marijuana legalization will result in more people using drugs that wouldn’t otherwise. As we get closer to the return of Christ, drug addiction will continue to increase. Revelation 9:21 says, “And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” The Greek word for sorceries is pharmakeia. One of its definitions is “the use of or the administering of drugs.”

Some say imprisoning people for drug usage is a waste of tax-payer dollars. I can somewhat agree with that. I believe heavy fines would be enough of a deterrent. The drug users who really should go to jail are the pushers. Society would benefit if they were off the streets.

Sometimes I’ve been approached by drug dealers while evangelizing. Whenever one asks me, “Hey, man...are you straight?” I answer, “Yeah, I’m going straight to heaven. How about you? If you died right now, where would you go...heaven or hell?” Usually these drug dealers take off running.

Three months ago, one woman asked me to sign a petition to legalize medical usage of marijuana in Florida. I replied that Jesus was my healer. This woman got a little persistent until I asked, “Does marijuana raise the dead?” Sylvia then revealed she was looking for a church and thought being a good person would get her into heaven. Eventually she prayed to get born again.

There is a better alternative to drugs: getting high on the Most High God.

“That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth.” - Psalm 83:18