Marijuana’s Not that Bad

Marijuana is not all that bad. You can function on it. It’s got lots of great uses. It’s natural.

Marijuana has never even killed one person. Hemp has all sorts of wonderful uses. It is possible to function on cannabis.

Hmmmmm. I’d have to say, as a former (heavy) user of marijuana, that is is possible to function on cannabis. At a much lower cognitive level. My memory was shot when I smoked on a daily basis. My motivation level tanked. I went from job to job. When I stopped using, depression set it. I was addicted, if not physically, then psychologically. I went out of my way to get it, even when I was broke. When I wasn’t broke, all my money went to it. Ten grand from a automobile accident settlement—gone in four months—up in smoke. So yes, you can function on cannabis, but not at a high level.

Hemp does have many positive uses. It’s impossible to argue that point.

And now—get ready for it—one of the lamest but most common excuses people make for marijuana—it’s never killed anyone. It almost killed me. I was high as a kite and I rear-ended a Lincoln Continental that was at a dead stand-still. I was going 40 miles per hour and I broke my windshield with my head. As I was strapped to the gurney and carted off to the hospital all that was going through my mind was, “How am I alive?”

Marijuana is addictive. Marijuana is expensive. Marijuana is illegal. Marijuana ruins relationships. Marijuana use is correlated with depression. Marijuana kills. Believe that one or not. But think about it (use common sense) before you go around saying, “Marijuana has never killed anyone.”

And how about another lame argument? Here it is—hemp is natural; God created it; it’s a plant for crying out loud! Hmmm. Hemlock’s a plant. Why don’t you try cooking up some hemlock cookies?

Regardless, none of that is the point of the following article. The point is this: does your life revolve around trying to convince people that cannabis is good? Or does your life revolve around sharing the good new of the Jesus of the Bible? What’s your focus? Marijuana? Getting high? Or Jesus? Can you get through the day without your pot? Can you get through the day without reading your Bible? What do you buy with your expendable income? Is Jesus the answer to your life’s problems? Or is smoking a joint the answer?

Marijuana won’t give your life meaning. It won’t provide peace or fulfillment. Meaning, peace, fulfillment—these things come from one source: Jesus Christ.

Marijuana is Not Bad

Psalm 17 – What Do YOU Purpose?

David purposed in his heart to avoid sin. We can do the same.

I love this Psalm for multiple reasons.

David prayed earnestly, out of a sincere heart. Do we?

David purposed that his mouth would not transgress.

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
Psalm 17:3 (portion)

Some say avoiding sin is not simply a matter of making a decision. Being a former addict, I understand the thought process. Yet such thoughts are deceptions, some truth mixed with lies.

Life consists of a series of decisions. Will I swear? I choose. Will I pick up that joint? Will I light it? It’s up to me. Do I have the ability to stop my hand from reaching over to the bottle, unscrewing the cap and drinking? Did I look at the porn out of necessity? Every waking moment we make choices. We can purpose, like David, to not sin. We choose. So often we blame addiction, our partners, unforeseen circumstances, depression . . . we need to be like David and stop blaming everything around us. Our choices are our decisions. Plain and simple.

So often we think the concept of eternal life is only a New Testament concept. I’ve talked about it before, and I’ll say it again – it’s all over the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. David talked about men whose satisfaction and treasure was here – in this life. He contrasted that with his vision of contentment . . .

13 Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

David’s portion was with God. He understood that this life offers nothing. He had an eternal perspective. Do you?