All About Mary Jane

All About Mary Jane

by Pastor Walter C. Scott, Let Go and Soar Ministries

August 3, 2015

John 3:16-17--To begin, I want to say that I do not profess to be an expert, however I read as much of the current information as I can regarding all the marijuana news. I am trying to learn and decide if there are any redeeming qualities to consider. I do find several reasons to justify its use, although they are overshadowed by the multitude of detrimental effects and abuse. As far as we know, marijuana did not exist in biblical times. However, God did have something to say about excessive use of alcohol. Read Proverbs 20:1, 23:20-21, and Ephesians 5:18.

Marijuana, like alcohol, is a mind-altering drug. Recreational marijuana includes THC, which makes people high. There are legitimate, proven medicinal forms of marijuana that have eliminated THC and these should be considered and utilized. However, the largest market to date appears to be the recreational use of marijuana, which includes potent amounts of mind or consciousness altering THC. This would probably not amount to anything worse than recreational use of alcohol, if it wasn't so terribly abused. Even with laws and regulation, we know how terribly abused alcohol is. Federal law prohibits marijuana use and growth, and that supersedes state law. State law authorizes medicinal use with a 215 certificate and growth in limited quantities (8 plants per person). By the way, just about anyone can obtain a 215 certificate. This process is very poorly monitored.

There are many obvious major multiple abuses with growth and use throughout Trinity County and the entire north state. This includes my own neighborhood. Law enforcement won't even make an effort to enforce existing ordinances, citing manpower limitations. What has happened to this county's elected and appointed authority? If they can't handle enforcement, why don't they request assistance from the DEA or other federal or state agencies?

Illegal growth and use of marijuana is detrimental and ultimately destructive to our land and society in multiple ways; environmental abuse and neglect being just one of those. We seem to be drifting back to a lawless frontier period similar to the 1800s gold rush era. Read 1 Peter 4:8-10 NKJV. God wants us to be good stewards to each other and of His gift to us, our homeland.

The health risks of inhaling marijuana are far worse than cigarettes. If we are to condone the use of marijuana it needs to be legislatively approved, taxed and regulated by the federal government, and have the same enforcement and restrictions placed on it as do alcohol and cigarettes. Many people don't want federal regulation, but when we allow something to get out of control, such as marijuana is now, you actually invite federal enforcement, regulation and control.

Bottom line, everyone in the marijuana industry today is in it for the money. Greed and self-centeredness is ruining lives and destroying families. Read Matthew 6:24, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, Hebrews 13:5-6.

if so many people are constantly chasing the almighty dollar, who is going to school in this age group to learn professions and trades, or step up to defend this country in a time of war? These are all services and products we will all need to purchase. Where and from whom will we be able to purchase when there is scarcity or shortage? Basic necessities could become very costly.

Legitimately employed people that pay taxes and don't abuse or take advantage of this (entitlement-minded and enabling) system of government we have now, will diminish and not be able to support entitlement rolls any longer. It won't and can't last forever, and when it fails, none of us will be exempt from the consequences. This will affect the legitimate recipients the most severly.

From what I have learned cultivation and sale of marijuana, untaxed and unregulated, produces large profits. Yet these same growers, those not employed legitimately, abuse welfare, use food stamps and other entitlements including sending their children to public schools, without supporting the system. Let me emphasize, it is not the children's fault. I would like to know what you will tell your children when they ask “what do you do?” What moral compass or values are you displaying? What example of integrity and character will you pass on to them? Do some of us just not care about the future generations and how they will suffer for our abuses and neglect?

We need to enforce and support the legitimate use of this democratic system and stand for the hard fought-for freedoms and equality in our constitution and the principles and precepts of Triune God in His word (the Bible), on which this country was founded and established. No nation can stand divided for long. Read Matthew 12:25.

Stand up, speak up without fear, recognize and acknowledge our creator God and this homeland gift from Him. Why is there so much fear in the world? What do we have to be afraid of? Absolutely nothing. Read Psalm 27:1, 1 John 4:8, 10, 18.

We should never compromise on the word of God and never justify a world view with conformity. We have always been a chosen people, to be an example to the world, and have positively influenced many other nations. Ask yourself; are we now modeling the example that Jesus Christ gave us? Let's not abandon or relinquish our responsibility. We do not judge, however we will all stand accountable and be judged by God some day. Peace and love, Amen.