Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: Is the Faith Community Silent?
On the 55 freeway in southern California, there use to be a billboard near the Assemblies of God network office that read, “New Life Christian Treatment Centers, call 1800-..” Since the legalization of marijuana in California, I notice that same billboard now reads, “Call 1-800 New Leaf for the nearest cannabis distributor.” The legalization of marijuana impacts a community in several ways. The state of Colorado has seen negative effects in several areas since the legalization in 2012. You can read about those changes at “The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact, Volume 5, October 2016.” HIDTA https://rmhidta.org/documentdownload2.aspx?documentid=2&getdocnum=1.
What role should the Church play in the use of marijuana and in the addiction crisis in America?
Pentecostal leaders can be a prominent voice in addressing the issue of marijuana and addiction to the Church and to the secular world.
Pastors face a diversity of challenges and responsibilities daily. Understanding more about marijuana and addiction may not be a current priority, but people sit in pews every Sunday who suffer in silence the pain and shame of substance abuse, or grieve for the addict they love. These people long for someone in the Church who will listen and offer hope.
Self-deception and idolatry are the two dominant sins in all addictions. Because marijuana is a plant and is legal, people believe the effects are less dangerous than alcohol or synthetic drugs. Much of the opioid epidemic happened because people assume if a doctor prescribes the medication, they are exempt from becoming dependent. Alcoholics and addicts can no longer be stereotyped. Soccer moms, bank executives, and pastors are not immune from the ravages of addiction. Secrecy, shame, and misinformation complicate the problem and can delay the person from seeking help. .
Recently a young AG pastor told me a woman in his church mentioned to him she was smoking marijuana in order to relax. Concern mounted as the woman’s husband told him he learned she was smoking the drug while in charge of their three young children. The Pastor is working with the family to know Christ, and to find purpose for life in God’s Word and in the life of the Church.
I designed and taught a class at Vanguard University in Spring 2018 entitled, Practical Theology: the Ministry of Addiction. On the final day of class, a religion major who was about to graduate shared a very personal and honest testimony. He stated,
“I’ve been struggling with smoking marijuana up until a month before taking this class. I registered for the class because I needed an elective. Hiding and isolating became my way of life at Vanguard because I was ashamed of my behavior. But after the first day in this class, my heart was touched and I felt hopeful. I have been clean from marijuana now for three months, and I’ve returned to a solid support system where I can be honest and accountable.”
There is a distinction between medical and recreational marijuana. Medical marijuana has different combinations of the plant designed to relieve chronic pain and can help alleviate symptoms of certain diseases such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s. But even medical marijuana (CBD) can be risky because the production is not regulated and comes in a variety of forms. Recreational cannabis (marijuana) is used for mood change, to escape emotional pain, relax, or enhance pleasure. Marijuana for pleasure contains a substance called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for the euphoria and effects.
To the church that is open to the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ, the legalization of marijuana is not to be feared, but an opportunity to witness the power of the gospel to liberate people for a life of purpose and wholeness.The longing for a trustworthy God poses an invitation to the church to learn from these communities, and a warning to understand substance abuse as a prophetic challenge as the Church. Churches with limited expectancy from the Lord, and who have slipped into complacency, can experience fresh anointing and power as the addicted walk in freedom and discipleship.
Overview of Marijuana
1. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States.
2. Marijuana is rich in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is responsible for most of marijuana’s effects.
3. THC over activates certain brain cell receptors, resulting in effects such as:
a. altered senses
b. changes in mood
c. impaired body movement
d. difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
e. impaired memory and learning
4. Marijuana use can have a wide range of health effects, including:
a. hallucinations and paranoia
b. breathing problems
c. possible harm to a fetus’s brain in pregnant women
5. The amount of THC in marijuana has been increasing steadily in recent decades, creating more harmful effects in some people.
Physical Effects
• Breathing problems. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. These problems include daily cough and phlegm, more frequent lung illness, and a higher risk of lung infections. Researchers so far haven’t found a higher risk for lung cancer in people who smoke marijuana.8
• Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to 3 hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Older people and those with heart problems may be at higher risk.
• Problems with child development during and after pregnancy.
• Intense nausea and vomiting

Mental Effects
Long-term marijuana use has been linked to mental illness in some people, such as:
• temporary hallucinations
• temporary paranoia
• worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia—a severe mental disorder with symptoms such as hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking

How Does Marijuana Affect a Person’s Life?
Compared to those who don’t use marijuana, those who frequently use large amounts report the following:
• lower life satisfaction
• poorer mental health
• poorer physical health
• more relationship problems
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana