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Last term I happened to pick up a copy of Locsoc's (The Legalisation of Cannabis Society at York University) newsletter which I read with great caution and cynicism, my automatic reaction always having been that cannabis should not be legalised under any circumstances. Ashamed as I am to admit my fickleness, I think Locsoc may well have changed my mind by causing me to consider my real objections to its legalisation. Why do I think and many Christians think (correct me if I am making assumptions here) that people should be prohibited from smoking cannabis by law?
![[A photo of some cannabis]](cannabis.gif)
One reason may be because it is harmful to one’s health. However, studies have shown that smoking tobacco carries far higher health risks than smoking marijuana and that it does not result in long-term brain damage. A second objection may be its addictive capacity, but apparently caffeine is more addictive than marijuana and so as a self-confessed caffeine addict I don’t really have a leg to stand on!
I would like to suggest that the real reason Christians are so opposed to the legalisation of cannabis is because God calls us to be “clear-minded and self-controlled” (1 Peter 4:7); because the pursuit of pleasure and happiness in quick fixes draws us away from God and his promise of “life … to the full” (John 10:10); because it causes us to become self-centred and to focus on our wants and needs when Jesus tells us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you” (Matt. 6:33); because everyone is looking for something that satisfies and will be lasting and Jesus tells us “whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14).
All of these reasons are the best reasons for rejecting the use of cannabis, but not for rejecting its legalisation. I believe, first and foremost, that we are created to bring God glory. “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Rev. 4:11) We bring God glory in what we say and do, not in what we force other people to do. Secondly, we are specifically told not to judge or condemn. “ Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn and you will not be condemned.” (Luke 6:37) If history has taught us anything it must be that when we try to control people for “ godly” purposes, we lose sight of God’s purpose.
What I am really trying to say is that the legalisation of cannabis is irrelevant to Christians. We should be trying to show people where God is, not forbidding them to go where he isn’t — this is a far bigger and more exciting challenge.
What do you think? Tell us at submissions@christis.org.uk
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Last modified: 25th November 2005