Medical Marijuana…in the Church?
December 18, 2009 5 Comments
Ok Church, time to think biblically. What say you on this? Here’s a situation of a Christian with cancer, and those who want to help. Enter marijuana as a method of relief from pain and suffering. What would you suggest? Would you compromise (just a little) and take pity…on the man? Or is it Truth itself being pitied….and compromised? Or is there any compromise at all? Here’s the real-deal story from New Reformation Press.
I’ll call him Pastor X for reasons that will soon be apparent. A member of his congregation, an Elder who has served the congregation faithfully for many years, has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer. The doctors recommend an equally aggressive campaign of chemotherapy. He is in his late seventies or early eighties and his prognosis is grim. Nausea induced from his chemo prevents him from eating anything. He is wasting away and is in incredible pain.
Pastor X approaches another member of his congregation, a man with a terminal illness that is less aggressive but just as deadly as cancer. This man has a California Medical Marijuana card and legally purchases marijuana to help him cope with the effects of his disease and his medication. Pastor X says “Elder ______ has cancer and is dying. It’s going to be ugly.” The man quickly produces half a dozen cigarettes of medical strength marijuana and gives them to his Pastor. When the Pastor next visits the Elder, he gives him the marijuana.
The preceding story is true, and I suspect happens more often than we might think in California and other parts of the country where medical marijuana is legal.
Sticky situation, or a clear-cut solution? What’s your answer?
You can read the rest of this story here.
I will probably catch flack for this but, I think medical marijuana use would be ok. I have watched a family member die from cancer. It is not a pretty site. The question I ask is, why would it be any worse than using other prescription pain killers that come from opiates? They can both be abused and are abused. I say if it will give someone some comfort in their remaining time then let them use it.
Since the Bible does not provide specific instruction on this matter, we look to it for principles. Intoxicating substances which have some medicinal value are apparently condoned in Scripture (Paul’s advice to Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach). If legal, and not used to abuse (as with all drugs) – no problem.
In this story, the problem appears to lie in the illegal transfer of a controlled substance from a man “with a license” to one without.
I’m going to agree with Shane. I’d also point out that a great deal of our medications are either naturally or synthetically plant based: asprin, erythromycin, morphine – the list goes on and on – and does include, as the original blog post pointed out – marinol, the synthetic form of the active ingredient in marijuana.
As a nurse, I know that treating someone with end-stage cancer can get really “sticky” (things like, do I give enough medication to adequately treat a patients pain, even if there is a chance the dose will put them into repiratory arrest and hasten their death?) – but I also know that I’d know more about my patient than can be figured out with the info about the elder in this article. The ethical dilemma I would have is not with the medical use of marijuana – but with following the laws of the governmental authority that God has placed over us without compromising the laws of God.
JT,
If legal absolutely. Please explain the difference between morphine/oxy etc. THey are all intoxicating in some form.
This is a CULTURAL issue, the dope smoker image versus real help. This riding of a high moral horse by some while people suffer is beyond my understanding and more importantly I believe it clearly contradicts the spirit of compassion exhibited by Christ in the whole bible.
God has left much up to us to decide, and for me aiding a brother in pain is loving. I would love to see more on this issue even the legalizing of pot. And for the record never used drugs,alcohol so no skin in the fight personally.
I have to say…I was a bit uncomfortable with this subject myself. I commend all of you who have already given a response. It’s a difficult subject and I was a bit intimidated to jump into the fray.
Thank you Marji for contributing from a “nurses view”. You have a unique picture of what this looks like as you work with patients day in and day out who are in unbelievable amounts of pain. I have lost a grandmother and more recently my dad to cancer and the side effects of cancer and I have seen this kind of pain in those I love. In both of these cases, their pain was managed through the use of morphine and drugs that were prescribed by a doctor.
I know from Hebrews 13:17 that we are to submit to those that are in authority over us. For some counties, there is a bit of confusion between what the state and the federal government say in regards to the use of marijuana and I’m not sure they have a solid foot to stand on. I know in the state of California, that many counties have approved the use of “medical” marijuana that’s prescribed by a doctor. But, the federal government has not approved the use of this and doesn’t the federal government supersede what the state may allow? Just sayin’..
Because I live in California, I had a tendency to want to concentrate on issues of Mexican cartel and those that have been assaulted this year by the cartel, just out hunting with their families in the high country of California. But, that’s not really what this article was about, so I had to reign my brain back in to the subject at hand.
I have heard this quote a few times from Thomas Jefferson now:
The greatest service
which can be rendered
any country
is to add
a useful plant
to its culture.
..and this one from George Washington:
Make the most of the hempseed,
sow it everywhere.
The point Manfred made was a good one. Why doesn’t he go get his own license?
“In this story, the problem appears to lie in the illegal transfer of a controlled substance from a man “with a license” to one without.”
My husband and I have discussed this subject before and we keep coming back to the same point. If it’s a better way to help those that are in severe pain then why is it not being legalized? Somebody is making some money right now. Who grows this medicinal grade marijuana? Does the states that approve it grow it? Do they know where it comes from?
I just know that living where I live, it could be dangerous to your health to march around in the woods without the escort of one who knows their way around and can keep you out of dangerous areas. You could lose your life!
If I had to come to a conclusion this is mine: If it’s not legal to use it, then I believe as Christians we need to find something that is approved to manage pain. If it is legalized, how is it different than anything else that a prescription would cover? It still comes down to the individual user and whether they decide to use it incorrectly or in the way it has been prescribed. It could be abused like any other drug on the market.