Is It a Sin to Use Cannabis Products?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The foundation — the temple, and liberty

• The question posed (in the host's frame): bible believing christians have always taken a stand, against recreational drug use. Of course, we know our body is a temple of the holy spirit. paul said that, in first corinthians (the verse as the frame gives it). And our stand, against drug abuse, of course, has included marijuana. But recent developments have really presented — i suppose you might say — a conundrum. Because marijuana has gone mainstream. And some doctors are even prescribing, now, as you well know, for medicinal purposes. And it does — it seems like, no matter where you go, you can buy cbd infused products. And so now many pastors and churches — they're facing this question: of whether these products, that contain cbd, or whether these medicinal remedies — are they compatible with christian teaching? What guidance does the bible offer, on this topic? The answer: let me establish the foundation: that regardless of what the law allows, or regardless of what the culture condones, we oppose alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs — drugs that would cause a high, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin — anything that would cause intoxication, or addiction — or is clearly harmful to the body, such as tobacco. We oppose all the use of all such drugs and substances. And that's based on scripture. First corinthians (the passage as he gives it) says: your body is the temple of the holy spirit. We should not defile our bodies. And then first corinthians (the pinpoint as he gives it) says: all things are lawful. So, in this summary ('this summit', as heard), we have christian liberty, to make personal choices. All things are lawful. But not all things are expedient, or beneficial. All things are lawful. But i will not be brought under the power of any. So, even though — in principle, as a general principle ('in pr as a general principle', as the fragment is heard) — god gives us the liberty, to eat and drink what we wish. We don't have the dietary laws of the old testament. But we're not supposed to use our liberty, in a way that is harmful to the body. Or we're not supposed to use our liberty, to allow something to control us, in the form of intoxication, or addiction. So that's the bottom line. That's the baseline.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12

CBD — the prescription exception and the concerns

• Now, what's interesting: cbd is an extract from hemp, or marijuana. Hemp being the industrial version, that excludes the thc, which is the psychoactive ingredient. So obviously, we would be opposed to any use of that psychoactive ingredient. But at least allegedly, cbd is supposed to exclude that. So, in principle, it wouldn't go against the things i've just mentioned. So i did a little research. And i checked with the mayo clinic, which is highly regarded in the u.s., as a premier medical institution. And here's what their official position is. There is a prescription drug, that contains cbd, that has been proven effective, in treating certain types of epilepsy. So they do recommend it, with a doctor's prescription. So i would agree, with something like that. So it's not psychoactive. It is proven to be a remedy, for a specific disease. So i would say: with a doctor's prescription, that would be fine, to use that medicine. There are many other medicines, that could be harmful. In fact, we oppose abuse of prescription drugs. But yet we do recognize: there are certain drugs, that can be very useful for pain, when used appropriately. Now, what the mayo clinic also says is: there are many claims, that cbd helps all kinds of conditions, and helps all kinds of pain. But there have been no large-scale studies, to document that. So a conservative approach would be: unless there's a clear medical study, and unless there's a prescription for it, from a doctor, then don't use it. That would be the most conservative approach, which i would tend to favor. Now, people say: well, but you know, in my personal experience, my friend's experience, (it) is helpful. And (various claims,) and it's purely medicinal. Well, here are some of the concerns. Since these other products are not regulated, then they're (of) very uneven quality. And tests have been done, that some of these cbd products, that are not supposed to be psychoactive, actually do have thc. And i don't know whether that's accidental, because of a poor process. Or whether it's skirting — you know, they're offering it for one basis. But the users really know, that certain products can do other things. So that would be a concern. Another concern is: it does have side effects. So just taking it, because you think it might help you — not knowing what it also might do. So i would say, even in those cases: then i would say, you know, check with your own medical doctor, before you consider any of these other uses. Get a prescription. But there are concerns about the quality, the dosage, the presence of thc, the side effects, impurities. And also there's still questions about law: federal law, and state law. There's an intersection of this. Some products are allowed. Some products are not allowed. So i would certainly say: be very cautious. I wouldn't want to violate any state or federal law. I would certainly not want to violate the word of god, that i've just said. And so i would recommend: by prescription use, as approved by a medical doctor ('by prescription use by as a as approved by a medical doctor', in his tangled form). But aside from that: there are many other options, for pain, and other conditions. There's not just one solution. There are many solutions. And so i would explore those other proven options, as my preferred choice.

Trust God first

• And of course, i do not want to end the conversation, without saying: first and foremost, in every need, we should go to god in prayer. God is a healer. God is a deliverer. And while i believe in medicine — i believe in doctors, and i believe in hospitals. And i've used all of them, on occasion — our first and foremost trust should be in god. And i think we should use these other things, as minimally as possible. We shouldn't have a cabinet full of medicine, that we rely on, for whenever we have a need. We should go to god in prayer. And we should use prescribed medications only when it's truly necessary. I think: if we trust in god, and we pray, and we follow some good principles of stewardship of our body, and health — diet, rest, recreation — i think we can take exercise. I think we can take care of a lot of things. And so i would first say: let's trust god.

Scripture index: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 6:12.