Eric Blair

Activist Post

The drug war has long been defended as a moral battle to keep people from harming themselves and society. However, since the evidence has become undeniable that the war on marijuana has done more harm than good to society, many are now asking if it is moral to throw people in cages for consuming a plant?

Last week, evangelical pastor Pat Robertson reiterated his call to end the prohibition of cannabis. The New York Times reported, “Mr. Robertson has now apparently fully embraced the idea of legalizing marijuana, arguing that it is a way to bring down soaring rates of incarceration and reduce the social and financial costs.”

The publicity caused by Robertson’s declaration prompted the question whether it is immoral to smoke marijuana or not. A resulting poll taken by MSNBC found that 75%, an overwhelming majority of the 31,000-plus voters, said it’s okay for Christians to use cannabis recreationally:

Robertson said that the war on drugs hasn’t succeeded and he saw little difference between smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol. He also declared his endorsement for measures like in Colorado to regulate marijuana like alcohol.

He’s not endorsing the use of marijuana as moral but says “I believe in working with the hearts of people, and not locking them up.” Yet, many other religious organizations feel that the cannabis plant is one of God’s gifts to humanity and thus perfectly moral to consume.

Many Christians refer to Genesis 1:29 as permission to use all plants provided on earth:

And God said, Behold, I have given you every plant bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, which has seed in its fruit; to you it shall be for food.

In fact, some say there’s evidence that Jesus himself regularly used cannabis medicinally and as an anointing oil. From the London Guardian:

Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings.

Since modern science has proven the tremendous medicinal qualities of cannabis, the final religious arguments against its use are now being put to rest. Notably, the Vatican calls the use of drugs a grave offense because they cause “very grave damage on human health and life.” However, this is certainly not the case for marijuana with its long list of proven health benefits.

Furthermore, many believe the countless benefits of the cannabis plant can save the world‘s economy and environment, a Holy endeavor indeed. Below is an entertaining music video showing the many uses of hemp and how it can help save the world:

Thus, the last standing moral arguments for the continued prohibition of marijuana are now crumbling as the MSNBC poll indicates. Furthermore, last year a Gallup poll for the first time showed a majority of the American public believes that marijuana should be legalized for recreational use.

The trend is clear, marijuana is headed for legalization and no amount of moral fear mongering can stop this momentum. With religious leaders and other Christian groups now backing legalization, it will be much more difficult for the government to keep perpetuating the lies that cannabis is more harmful than the violent effects of maintaining its prohibition. It’s only a matter of time now for policy to catch up with common sense and morality.

Tell us what you think in the comment section. Is it morally acceptable to smoke marijuana?

Read more articles by Eric Blair here.

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