I think it’s a very interesting proposition – that evangelicals ought to come out in favor of marijuana. When I first read it I was very inclined to agree with it. Since reading some other people’s comments, though, I’m coming to see their side too. As Michael suggests, it’s not a particularly Christian issue. But it does seem like a worthwhile cause. Why should the much more dangerous vicodin keep getting prescribed when we have a safer alternative? The situation seems absurd. We ought to do something about it.

The only solution I can come up with is that perhaps we ought to push for the legalization, as the author suggests, but not in the name of Jesus. It probably shouldn’t become a church Thing. Individuals in the church may move for it, but not under the authorization of any particular denomination. I don’t know if it’s right for the church per se to get mixed up in political concerns such as this.

I think Stephen makes an excellent first move, though, by explaining the situation and encouraging us to think about the issue. It’s a first time for me.

The criminalization of grass is a strange story. As far as I understand, weed was legal and posh for a long time. It was a cheap high–and whiskey and beer companies were none too happy about this fact. So, these companies lobbied Congress and convinced the public that marijuana was only smoked by immigrants and lead to rape and murder by those same aliens. The reason that pot is not legal, as Stephen seems to argue, is not very scientific. I also know that alcohol causes many more deaths than marijuana. Alcohol can do more to mess with brain chemistry. Neither, it seems, are good for a person. So, do we want the government to take away anything that might be bad for us? We will have an even greater problem if pot is made legal? With our government in a growing debt, what else will it be tempted to legalize just for the tax revenue?

I think this is a local government issue. But, I don’t think it is a Christian issue. The Christian, the church and those around it, should promote full life. Weed may help a person relax, but I have heard too many stories of young men committed to mental hospitals again and again because they can’t get a job, can’t quit smoking, can’t live a full life outside of the Purple Haze. So, as much as I think that weed (or any harsh substance that alters a person mind away from reality and decreases their motivation) is not good for our society, I also do not want the federal government to hold my hand. Where this places the solution, I do not know.

I hope you know I am a fan of your writing, but I have to take issue with a couple points of your article.

I agree that marijuana should be legalized (or at the least decriminalized) for many of the reasons you said. I’m just not convinced that this needs to be a high priority for Christians. Your main argument seems to be that Christians should push for legalization because marijuana shouldn’t be illegal in the first place. In this scenario, Christians become agents of libertarianism (a political philosophy to which I am sympathetic), rather than champions of the gospel. True, it would change our political reputation; but I wonder if Christians should make decisions based on political reputation.

I’m also not wild on the about-face this would be for socially-engaged Christians. We laugh at it now, but Prohibition was a progressive cause in its day because drunkenness was leading to physical abuse and the break-up of the family. Progressive Christians were on the forefront of that movement. While I trust your research on the dangers of alcohol vs. the dangers of marijuana, this 180-degree turn on potentially-impairing substances seems like the bigger P.R. problem for Christians.

If anything, your article makes a cogent case that Christians should take action on the over-prescription and misuse of legal medication. That is an issue of justice and mercy, and I appreciate you bringing those facts to light.

“If evangelicals came out in favor of marijuana”

It will never happen. I love evangelicals. I am an evangelical. But any brave pastor who comes out in favor of legalized pot will lose his congregation, because of tradition. It will never happen.