I know of no scripture that speaks of marijuana, not even by another name. The scripture that is usually used to teach that marijuana was created by God is Genesis 1:12, “And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” It is true that marijuana is an “herb” but it is never mentioned specifically in the Bible, though some have pointed to Ezekiel 34:29 where the King James Version says, “And I will raise up for them a PLANT OF RENOWN, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger.” They believe this “plant of renown” is the “marijuana plant.” The trouble with that view is that every other translation renders the word “plant” as either “plantation” or “garden” and the main thought seems to be a large “planting place” for growing food and not to the plants themselves. If you read verses 26-29 you will see that the Lord is promising Israel “showers of blessing” with an abundance of food (that will eliminate hunger) and safety from enemies and beasts of the field. This will be fulfilled in the coming Millennial Reign of Christ  

There are those who advocate using marijuana for “medicinal purposes” and they sometimes use Genesis 1:12 to support that view because God has proclaimed that “it was good.” Some go a step further and say that “marijuana should also be used for ‘recreational purposes.’” In other words, they teach that if one can consume “alcohol” (which is a drug) for pleasure, one should be able to use “marijuana” (which is also a drug). In America today this is a hotly debated subject and in some states it has been legalized for both medicinal and recreational use. It is true that it can be used for treating people with various illnesses, especially cancer where it helps to ease both nausea and pain, but the case can be made for NOT using it for recreational use.

We know that alcohol is often abused, and God condemns it. In Proverbs 20:1 and 23:20-21 we read: “WINE is a mocker, STRONG DRINK is a brawler, and whoever is INTOXICATED by it is not wise…Do not be with HEAVY DRINKERS OF WINE, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the HEAVY DRINKER and the glutton will come to poverty, and DROWSINESS will clothe a man with rags” (NASB). As we said, “alcohol is a drug” so we could actually substitute the word “wine” with “drugs” or the word “heavy drinkers of wine” with “drug addicts.” A person under the influence of “wine/drugs” is “NOT in control of themselves.” They are being “controlled by a foreign substance.” In Ephesians 5:18 the believer in Christ is exhorted, “And do not get DRUNK WITH WINE, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.” God’s desire for believers (His children) is to be “controlled by the Spirit” and thus He condemns the “abuse of alcohol.” We noted earlier that “marijuana is a drug” and that too can be “abused” where we are no longer in control of ourselves. I know, from personal experience (before I was saved), that marijuana can cause irritability, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and other negative symptoms. It can also impair one’s judgment, which can be very serious if one is driving a car, operating heavy equipment, or using power tools. Perhaps, as some say, one can use marijuana in “moderation” (as with alcohol), but contrary to popular belief it can be “addictive” and can lead one to desire a “greater high” with each successive use.

In closing, I do believe marijuana has medicinal benefits when it is regulated properly. This includes a doctor’s prescription with the proper dosage for the individual’s need with less than 0.3% of THC (the primary ingredient in marijuana that makes people “high”).  (DO)  (525.3)