Marijuana and God

I know that God and Marijuana are too topics usually not associated with each other, but recently I was assigned by my Worldview teacher a religion report on The Rastafarian Movement. Known widely as "That religion that Bob Marley followed where everyone smokes pot." But, in fact Rastafari isn't even a religion. It is a way of life adapted from the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that tends to believe more in Old-Testament beliefs that have adapted for the Jamaican people who founded Rastafari after Ras Tafari (Known as Haile Sellasie) who was crowned King of Ethiopia in 1930. The marijuana smoking part comes as a self-discovery and religious experience to grow their souls closer to God. Rastafari's followers believe in two separate spiritual uses of marijuana, the first is reasoning. Reasoning is a spiritual festival which many Rastas celebrate each morning. The purpose of Reasoning is to develop a heightened sense of awareness of mental ability and is simply celebrated by a gathering and the smoking of ganja, followed by discussion. The ritual continues until everyone has discussed everything they want to and unanimously decide it is over. The second is known as Groundation or "Binghi". It is celebrated as a holy day where Rastas are united by prayer and celebrate with smoking of ganja, dancing, music, and feasting. All though it has been known for these festivals to last several days.

To cut to the point, marijuana and its morality has always been a topic that struck to me as I have many friends who smoke marijuana and I myself have admittedly smoked marijuana before. I have suffered the consequences too. At school I'm constantly asked by several people, usually daily, if i am "blazed" (high on marijuana). I was suspended for two football games for the use of marijuana which i had admitted too without any investigation from my authorities under the belief there was no punishment to be doled out, my mentors simply wanted to know how big of a problem it was at my Christian school after a graduate suffered a period of mental breakdown and insanity from supposedly laced marijuana. I will not deny that I support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal uses. So, you as a reader can write me off as a "pothead" blabbering about how I want everyone to smoke weed. Thats fine. I don't really care. If you're that quick to judge then what I'm about to say probably won't phase you anyways.

The Bible and Marijuana:
    I'd like to start by saying that the Bible NEVER specifically refers to marijuana in any way. Meaning it never condones nor condemns marijuana. However, it is listed as an ingredient in Holy Anointing Oil in Exodus 30:22-25 "²² Moreover the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ²³ “Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, ²⁴ five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. ^{25 (NIV)} And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil." Now you have to look at the original Hebrew text to see the connections, but originally in the King James Version "sweet-smelling cane" is written as calamus. Calamus comes from the Septuagint, an ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. In Hebrew calamus is written as Kaneh-Bosm, which translates to English as hemp fragrant. Of course hemp's scientific name is cannabis. (marijuana) So, marijuana is obviously supposed to be used in the true concoction for holy anointing oil. Another verse used widely by marijuana supporters is Genesis 1:29-31"²⁹ Then God said, “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. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 
    ³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day."(NIV) This verse is very vague and I don't have any fancy Hebrew translation that says actually seed-bearing plant means weed. But, I do know one key word: EVERY. This is where personal morals come into play. Everyone who has ever had a debate with a Christian about a subject like marijuana or tattoos or alcohol or tobacco knows that God says not to destroy His temple i.e your body. That is the argument that many people use against marijuana saying that getting high is diminishing His temple. But, I would like to reference, 1 Timothy 4: 1-5, "¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. ³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer." When we take this into consideration we can see that every food brought to us by God that is taken with thanksgiving is good. Now I know most people will argue well, food doesn't mean plants especially one like marijuana. But later in the verse Paul says, "EVERYTHING created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." Now most of you are probably thinking "Ryan, you're crazy, you've pulled these random verses and put them together to justify yourself" But I want to make it clear that no one should judge because of their personal choice. Many Christians choose to get Christian tattoos and many Christians smoke or drink. Obviously drugs like heroin or meth should never be used as they are man made , not from God. I feel marijuana however has come from God as it is a naturally growing plant with many beneficial qualities. Many soldiers of ancient times used cannabis as a painkiller to encourage them to fight harder. (for example, the Sikhs) I firmly believe God passes no judgement down on those who use marijuana, even for personal use. But it MUST, MUST, MUST be used in the proper way. Clearly God does not find it a sin if it is accepted with prayer and thanksgiving. Therefore I conclude that there is no wrong in the use of marijuana to free ones soul or as a painkiller or to feel closer to God, in any way at all, unless it is not accepted with thanks to God. If your preference is alcohol, so be it. If your preference is tobacco, so be it. If your preference is marijuana, so be it. The important thing is giving glory to God. I don't feel anyone has the right to judge people for using marijuana unless that person is God. And trust me, if he opposes it, you'll know. 

How To Use Marijuana The Proper Way:

    As I have tried to emphasize I don't feel personally that anyone who uses marijuana is at fault. (except by not following the American laws.) But many people could use marijuana in a way pleasing to God. For example if the use of marijuana opens your mind to be a great thinker and philosopher, give thanks to God for His gift. If marijuana enables one with the ability of craftsmanship, give thanks to God for your ability. A popular argument for this point will most likely be, "well there are great artist who don't need drugs to help them make amazing art." Then those people should give thanks to God for their talent he has enabled them with. I have on several occasions been under the influence of marijuana at church or a school chapel event where i can honestly say I have felt closer to God in those times than any other time. It should be noted that I do not proclaim to be a Christian at the present time. In the present time I have taken steps back to realize that i was not living a Christian life and therefore giving Christians a bad name. Currently I am exploring religions to discover what I as Ryan truly believe. I have found that while under the influence of marijuana I have felt closer to God in a non-Christian setting. Concluding that it is a possibility that marijuana does open the doors to the spiritual realm and connect ourselves closer with God. After all in Ezekiel 34:29 God says, "And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more."later the plant is referred to again "¹ Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ² down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴ They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever." Revelations 22:1-5. Marijuana may or may not be the plant discussed here but it does give fruit all 12 months, and it can cure any sickness from depression to pain to Alzheimer's. Thats right THC in marijuana boots depleted levels of acetlylcholine, which is the neurotransmitter that  Alzheimer's depletes. So the choice is yours: Inhale or don't.