Marijuana

“Canada’s nationwide legalization of recreational marijuana, said a Canadian Baptist leader, should spur churches to adopt a ‘more aggressive approach’ to warning believers about the spiritual and physical dangers of drug use.” - BPNews

“Delegates at the Republican Party of Texas convention on Saturday voted to approve platform planks endorsing marijuana decriminalization, medical cannabis and industrial hemp. They are also calling for a change in cannabis’s classification by the federal government.” - Forbes

Poll finds 87% of millennials believe marijuana is safer than alcohol

“The dispute centers on social consumption stemming from a 4/20 service where the church was cited for public consumption of marijuana and violating the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act.” ABC

High Praise: Pot Churches Proliferate As States Ease Access To Marijuana

A middle-aged man wearing a “Jesus Loves You” baseball cap piped up. “Thank you, God, for the weed,” he called out. “I’m thankful for the spirit of cannabis,” a woman echoed from the back.

The marijuana debate illustrates the fact that we cannot legislate morality effectively. Laws compete with each other, as in the case of federal and state laws regarding marijuana enforcement. Laws can be interpreted in various ways. And it is impossible for lawmakers to anticipate every potential ethical problem.

Proclaim & Defend: One of the most significant changes in attitude and behavior among conservative Evangelicals and some Fundamentalists is the acceptance of the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

“The DEA’s removal of these popular myths about cannabis from their website could mean the end of the Washington gridlock” said Steph Sherer, executive director of ASA in a press release.

“Voters in five states — Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada — will cast ballots on Election Day for or against initiatives that will legalize the recreational use of marijuana, or cannabis as it is sometimes known. Another four states — Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota — will vote on measures to legalize medical use of marijuana.” BPNews

“The medical marijuana efforts passed in [Oregon and Alaska] because voters were told it would help relieve people’s suffering. Fast forward to 2014, and they now have legal recreational marijuana.”