Can Christians Use Marijuana?

Q. Thank you for allowing God to use you in the lives of Christians around the world– I appreciate your ministry and your heart for people. What is your opinion of casual, infrequent marijuana use by Christians, done in private, in a safe setting? It is a plant and naturally occurring in nature. True, it’s use is illegal and health risks of smoking are well documented. Those issues aside, in your opinion is it sinful to enjoy the “buzz” of pot or the sensation that a glass or 2 of wine provides?

A. There’s no Biblical injunction against using stimulants in moderation. Wine is specifically mentioned as are other “fermented beverages” (Deut. 15:26)   There are warnings against over indulgence through out the Old and New Testaments, and Paul warned us repeatedly to avoid eating or drinking anything that would cause a brother to stumble, as in Romans 14:21-22.

As believers we are also supposed to obey the laws of man (Romans 13:1) as long as doing so doesn’t violate God’s law.  Therefore, if the private use of marijuana is illegal where you live you shouldn’t do it, even though it isn’t a sin.