With marijuana de-criminalized in the U.S., what position should be taken by believers concerning moderate use? I'm dealing with a new believer who asks about that as well as secular rock music. Any ideas?

Ideas? Sure, I have an idea! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Ponder.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Unlike a glass of fine wine, for example, Piesporter Michaelsberg Auslese of which one savors the aroma and taste, Acapulco Gold is used 99% of the time for its ability to make one "high". This would be akin to one over-indulging with alcohol, aka: getting drunk, which Scripture forbids in myriad places.

As to marijuana now allegedly deemed "legal" in the U.S., when civil law violates biblical moral law, it is not to be accepted by true Christians. Abortion is also "legal" in many, if not most, countries, but that doesn't make the murder of the unborn any less reprehensible and a sin before God.

In His grace,

I think of course, one should “have at it”. There is nothing wrong with some throbbing, pumping, tunes with resentment, anger, hatred, lust, murder, destruction and a little dope on the side. Of course I speak as a fool.

I do believe there are medical purposes for the “pot”.

When was marijuana decriminalized in the U.S.? I didn't hear about it. Some states I think allow for medical use, but that's all I know of.

The primary use of marijuana is to become intoxicated, so as Pilgrim pointed out, this is sinful behavior.

I can see possibly allowing it for medical use, but otherwise, what purpose does it serve?

In Revelation 9 the word (pharmakeus) appears in the original which can mean drugs, or potion inducing drugs used by sorcerers. Vines explains this as:

A-1 Noun Strong's Number: 5331 Greek: pharmakia[-eia]

Sorcery:
(Eng., "pharmacy," etc.) primarily signified "the use of medicine, drugs, spells;" then, "poisoning;" then, "sorcery," Gal 5:20, RV, "sorcery" (AV, "witchcraft"), mentioned as one of "the works of the flesh." See also Rev 9:21; 18:23. In the Sept., Exd 7:11,22; 8:7,18; Isa 47:9,12. In "sorcery," the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer.