To smoke or not to smoke, that is the question.
Okay, it’s not Shakespeare but I gave it the ole’ college try.
The state of New Jersey recently attempted to vote on legislation to legalize marijuana. Needless to say, it ‘went up in smoke.’
There weren’t enough legislators supporting this for them to bring it to a vote.
The legislation itself is somewhat controversial. The bill would have allowed the legal sale of marijuana through marijuana dispensaries. This means that you could go to one of these places, without a prescription, and buy as much as you want. But (and here’s the catch) there would be a $42 an ounce tax applied. That means that 1 ounce would cost an extra $42 in taxes.
To me, this is a money grab by our illustrious legislators.
Now where do I come down on all of this, you ask? (Okay, I’m assuming you’ll ask).
For starters, it’s a money grab by our money hungry politicians. They have also used the projected income of the tax as a basis to borrow more money, which places the state more in debt. It’s more money that we can’t afford to pay back from programs that we can’t afford to have.
The second issue I have is that there seems to be a greater acceptance of legalized marijuana by the religious communities.
I don’t want to make generalities but a quick Bing search (I hate Google…sorry) shows that some pastors and churches are supporting the legalization of marijuana. While it does have its place for some with its medicinal properties, there is a big question about its recreational use.
When I started writing this, the one question I wanted to ask (and eventually answer) was “What does God think about smoking marijuana?”
Naturally, the place to start looking would be in God’s Word but where to start?
I started doing searches for pastors who are okay with recreational marijuana and I came across an article by a pastor who pointed to Galatians 5:19:
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies…” (Galatians 5:19-20 KJV)
The word witchcraft is synonymous with the word sorcery (sorcery is used in the NIV). The word sorcery (witchcraft) translates, in the Greek, to pharmakeia. Pharmakeia is defined as the use of drugs, potions, and enchantments.
Okay that took a long way to get there but, bottom line, marijuana is not a good thing for a Christian to partake in.
When you smoke marijuana, it opens your mind and gives license for anything demonic to enter. As Christians, we are to remain vigilant and always wear the Armor of God. By smoking marijuana, you are removing that armor and allowing the enemy to take a foothold in your life.
The decision is yours but keep in mind that God’s Word is against such things.
God Bless!
Food for Thought 