Can Marijuana Be Used Medicinally?

“I doubt that we should oppose a regulated medical use of marijuana, controlled by appropriate physician oversight and prescriptions. Many drugs are sold by prescription which, if they were abused, would be even more destructive than marijuana.” John Piper

Most Christians agree that it is permissible to use certain narcotics for medicinal purposes. Studies have shown that marijuana may help someone battling a serious disease such as cancer to experience relief from pain and an ability to cope with nausea and vomiting. It’s also been shown to help increase one’s appetite in circumstances where a person has lost the desire to eat. But should this be enough for marijuana to be used legally? Let’s hold that thought for now.

Here’s what we do know. In the New Testament, there was an occasion where Timothy was under the weather, and Paul’s practical antidote for him was, “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments” (1 Timothy 5:23). (Note the word little.) So here is an example from Scripture where alcohol was prescribed to ease one person’s ailments. With this in mind, Christians don’t need to be dogmatic about whether it’s okay to use legally prescribed drugs if the motive is to ease a person’s physical discomfort. However, unless drugs are truly being used for medicinal purposes, they should be avoided at all costs.

And herein lies the problem. Many people have abused marijuana in the name of medical help when the real driving force was a desire to get high. On top of that, at least at this point, only 23 of the 50 states permit the use of medical marijuana. I’d exercise real caution regarding the use of medical marijuana, though I understand that it can offer reprieve for some.

If someone did decide to use prescribed marijuana for medical purposes, I’d for sure advise that it be taken in edible form versus smoking it, which puts the lungs at risk. But then again, there are other health questions to consider. All things considered, one should think very carefully about this issue before signing off on it

Thought to Ponder

Just because something may offer a little medical reprieve doesn’t mean it’s holistically healthy or worth the risk.

Memory Verse

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Question to Consider

What are some other health and spiritually related issues that can surface as a result of using medical marijuana?

One Minute Apologist Video

Bobby Conway, “Can Marijuana Be Used Medicinally?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftaXHspdZBc