Christian Liberty

[ReformedRift]

Had a discussion with a fellow brother about Chapter 20 of the WCF. One hypothetical question that arose concerned Christian liberty and the use of narcotics. We were agreed upon that intuitively, this would be wrong due to it being an illegal activity and "opposing any lawful power...whether civil or ecclesiastical." To further elaborate, recreational uses of substances such as marijuana was illegal only a few years prior but is now legal (in a handful of states in the US). We talked about how someone could possibly refer to the prohibition of alcohol in the United States in the early 20th century to justify uses of narcotic substances today.

This also seems intuitively wrong as one does not necessarily follow from the other, but would like to hear any thoughts about this, especially in light of Romans 14 and WCF 20.

Thanks again!

 

[Northern Crofter]

recreational uses of substances such as marijuana was illegal only a few years prior but is now legal (in a handful of states in the US).

This doesn't answer the core of the OP, but marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the USA. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, and the use, sale, and possession of cannabis with more than a very small amount of THC is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs.

I believe the answer to the OP is found in the use of the terms "narcotics" and "recreational uses." Narcotics are drugs that produce insensibility or stupor due to their depressant effect of the central nervous system. I'm not sure how you can glorify God in such a state unless it is out of medical mercy or necessity. Alcohol is different in that, while also a depressant, it is not instantaneously and overwhelmingly stupor-inducing.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Welcome to PuritanBoard, Mikey!

It is better to go to our primary standard (Scripture) before the secondary (our Confessions), when seeking to prove such a point.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well (1 Peter 2:13, 14).​

There are many narcotics legally and humanely used for severe pain relief. Marijuana is not a narcotic.

Marijuana may rightly be classified as a substance, a property of which is to render one's consciousness present and (in varying degrees) aware in the spirit world, and is used in that way by pagan religions (or adepts and occultists) in order for individuals to contact their deities (demons). It is also among the substances termed psychedelics or entheogens (god manifesting within), and is termed by Scripture as sorcery, and expressly forbidden (Gal 5:20, 21; Rev 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15).

When local governments approve of grass (marijuana), and it is obtainable widely by a doctor's prescription for various ailments, in many people's minds that overrides the federal prohibition which is rarely, if ever, enforced upon local gov'ts. It is true that some Christians use it on those bases. The stronger entheogens are now also being touted widely as healing agents, for trauma, terminal illness calming before death, etc.

Because of the "contact high" of such drugs, if legally (or illegally) used while in the context of a local church, they will bring demonic presence into the holy community.

This may be disputed by some, but if elders in the churches do not openly speak and teach about and against such things, it will bode ill for the church, and for the elders, come judgment time.

 

[jwright82]

This doesn't answer the core of the OP, but marijuana is still illegal under federal law in the USA. The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) of 1970 classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug, and the use, sale, and possession of cannabis with more than a very small amount of THC is illegal for any reason, with the exception of FDA-approved research programs.

I believe the answer to the OP is found in the use of the terms "narcotics" and "recreational uses." Narcotics are drugs that produce insensibility or stupor due to their depressant effect of the central nervous system. I'm not sure how you can glorify God in such a state unless it is out of medical mercy or necessity. Alcohol is different in that, while also a depressant, it is not instantaneously and overwhelmingly stupor-inducing.

I like your last statement a lot. You can "control" how much of an affect alcohol has on you, in general. But weed is usually instantaneous. That said I have heard that "gummies" are more like alcohol in that they don't have the same affect as traditionally smoking does.
I've also heard of people getting off of pill addiction through weed but I'm skeptical of that. But it seems to work for them. Now they're testing breathing tests for THC levels in your body like alcohol tests. So there's that.
I don't know but you could conceivably be "high" on gummies at church and if you're a regular user no one would know. Verses a functional alcoholic who seems sober but reeks of alcohol. Plus I don't recommend worshipping God under the influence. I understand people in great pain may need to be on pills or whatever to simply get up and move around and I'd rather have them in church than not. I think a church session ought to figure that out for their congregations.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

THC-laced "gummies" can be far more potent an entheogen / psychedelic than smoking it. Anything that gets you "high" from grass is sorcery per se, even if it be the rudimentary enhancement of sensual pleasure. One has made oneself open to demonic influence on a base physical level.

 

[Charles Johnson]

I don't know but you could conceivably be "high" on gummies at church and if you're a regular user no one would know.

They would know.

I knew a guy in college who tried the edible gummies and he tried to crawl out a third story window, then the window shut on him and he got stuck, then he started yelling to his friend in a nearby room to pull him back in the window, then he found his way to the dorm lobby, where he crashed out on the floor, apparently unable to feel his legs or stand up, which is where I encountered him.

Not exactly normal behavior, even for him. He eventually dropped out.

Which gets me to my main argument about why Christians shouldn't use marijuana: potheads are completely useless to everyone around them. Either they're lazy bums, or they attempt to hold a job but move half as fast as a normal humans.

Say what you will about alcohol, but guys can have a drink or two after work every day for years and still be productive members of society. Churchill started drinking at 10am every day and it didn't stop him from running wartime Britain and defeating Hitler. Eisenhower had a glass of whiskey at the middle of every day (as prescribed by his doctor), and he built the interstates and ushered in the greatest decade of peace and prosperity the country's ever seen. (I don't say that to encourage day drinking, but to point out that marijuana is a far different beast).

Meanwhile, the potheads at my local taco bell struggle to very slowly put the meat and the lettuce in the taco shell before sending it out.

 

[MarrowMan]

The difference between alcohol and marijuana is, as has been mentioned, the amount and speed at which intoxication or “high” happens. Alcohol is much easier to navigate in that regard. Is it possible to regulate the “high”? Yes. There are a lot of different strains of marijuana with varying THC content and, contrary to popular ignorant opinion you can actually regulate what happens based on those considerations. That said, I’ve only seen the impulse for control to be in the direction of more potent, not less.

 

[alexanderjames]

At a very plain Scriptural level, we are to be sober minded - 1 Peter 5:8 - and not intoxicated - Ephesians 5:18 - but instead serving God with honorable use of our bodies - 1 Corinthians 6:20.
Therefore, the Christian liberty argument seems redundant when talking about getting high on substances for recreation, as it is for anything which appears to contradict the plain teaching of the word of God. As such, I would see this as falling under section 3 of WCF 20 without any sound reason provided to the contrary.

 

[Pomopu]

Marijuana ain't called the Devil's lettuce for no reason, y'know?

 

[Dkshotwell]

Marijuana ain't called the Devil's lettuce for no reason, y'know?

I wonder how it came to be called that since Satan isn't the creator of it? Christians have also labeled alcohol the devils brew or sin juice. I wonder if gluttons eat the devils roast beef, mashed potatoes, or macaroni salad?

 

[No Other Name]

I wonder how it came to be called that since Satan isn't the creator of it? Christians have also labeled alcohol the devils brew or sin juice. I wonder if gluttons eat the devils roast beef, mashed potatoes, or macaroni salad?

Historically, most Christians in America have not had a solid understanding of the sovereignty of God. As to meat and potatoes, I think your answer is self-evident. A joke? I myself know some who have a history of avoiding the Devil's Playstation hahaha

 

[jwright82]

They would know.

I knew a guy in college who tried the edible gummies and he tried to crawl out a third story window, then the window shut on him and he got stuck, then he started yelling to his friend in a nearby room to pull him back in the window, then he found his way to the dorm lobby, where he crashed out on the floor, apparently unable to feel his legs or stand up, which is where I encountered him.

Not exactly normal behavior, even for him. He eventually dropped out.

Which gets me to my main argument about why Christians shouldn't use marijuana: potheads are completely useless to everyone around them. Either they're lazy bums, or they attempt to hold a job but move half as fast as a normal humans.

Say what you will about alcohol, but guys can have a drink or two after work every day for years and still be productive members of society. Churchill started drinking at 10am every day and it didn't stop him from running wartime Britain and defeating Hitler. Eisenhower had a glass of whiskey at the middle of every day (as prescribed by his doctor), and he built the interstates and ushered in the greatest decade of peace and prosperity the country's ever seen. (I don't say that to encourage day drinking, but to point out that marijuana is a far different beast).

Meanwhile, the potheads at my local taco bell struggle to very slowly put the meat and the lettuce in the taco shell before sending it out.

For the record, outside of pain management for cancer or something, I never meant to imply that Christians should use marijuana. If I came off that way than my apologies. As far as them knowing, when I was a teenager no one knew I was high because I was always high. So, outside of my parents, they had no other behavior to compare me to.
I've never taken gummies so I don't know how they work. But my Christian grandma takes them periodically because she hates the feeling of pain pills. She's like 90 something and in a nursing home. So they do work for her.
Also I know for a fact that they can help people get off of massive pain pill addiction. If you've seen the horrible and disgusting things that the world of pill addiction is like than anyone would prefer them on gummies over that.
Those are extreme cases and I won't gross anyone out about the stuff I've seen and heard about. But no a Christian, outside of massive pain management replacing pills, should not be on marijuana. I'm just being realistic about it that's all.
I have also, ironically, interacted with a guy at Taco Bell of all places who is always high. You said that guy dropped out huh, didn't see that coming.
I just had a thought though and it's an argument from silence but here goes. The only mind altering substance talked about in the bible by regulating it is alcohol. But as Jerusalem Blade has pointed out we know that hallucinating substances were used in pagan rituals since the OT and I have a hard time believing that average people didn't use them from time to time for the same reasons that people use them today.
But alcohol, probably because it's easier to make in abundance, is the only one (to my knowledge mentioned) in the bible by way of regulation. Just thinking out loud. The Christian liberty debate would be, there's clearly a principle in place being layed out for mind altering substances but is alcohol the only permissable substance a Christian may partake in by way of moderation because it's the only one mentioned?
Or is the principal being layed for all mind altering substances with alcohol being the example?
Having taken LSD, Ecstasy, mushrooms, special k, GHB, etc I can personally say there is no moderation with those kind of drugs.

 

[Charles Johnson]

For the record, outside of pain management for cancer or something, I never meant to imply that Christians should use marijuana. If I came off that way than my apologies. As far as them knowing, when I was a teenager no one knew I was high because I was always high. So, outside of my parents, they had no other behavior to compare me to.
I've never taken gummies so I don't know how they work. But my Christian grandma takes them periodically because she hates the feeling of pain pills. She's like 90 something and in a nursing home. So they do work for her.
Also I know for a fact that they can help people get off of massive pain pill addiction. If you've seen the horrible and disgusting things that the world of pill addiction is like than anyone would prefer them on gummies over that.
Those are extreme cases and I won't gross anyone out about the stuff I've seen and heard about. But no a Christian, outside of massive pain management replacing pills, should not be on marijuana. I'm just being realistic about it that's all.
I have also, ironically, interacted with a guy at Taco Bell of all places who is always high. You said that guy dropped out huh, didn't see that coming.
I just had a thought though and it's an argument from silence but here goes. The only mind altering substance talked about in the bible by regulating it is alcohol. But as Jerusalem Blade has pointed out we know that hallucinating substances were used in pagan rituals since the OT and I have a hard time believing that average people didn't use them from time to time for the same reasons that people use them today.
But alcohol, probably because it's easier to make in abundance, is the only one (to my knowledge mentioned) in the bible by way of regulation. Just thinking out loud. The Christian liberty debate would be, there's clearly a principle in place being layed out for mind altering substances but is alcohol the only permissable substance a Christian may partake in by way of moderation because it's the only one mentioned?
Or is the principal being layed for all mind altering substances with alcohol being the example?
Having taken LSD, Ecstasy, mushrooms, special k, GHB, etc I can personally say there is no moderation with those kind of drugs.

There actually are other drug mentions in the bible.
"Mandrake," in Gen. 30:14-18, is a hallucinogen. In a sordid episode, Leah trades her mandrake to Rachel in exchange for a night with Jacob.
Not exactly commendable behavior.


And the "gall" / "myrrh" of Mk. 15:23 that was in the drink offered to Christ on the cross which he refused is probably equivalent to Hebrew "rosh." The exact identity is debated but Gesenius identifies it as opium. Thus Christ's refusal to consume it. Although some think it's hemlock.

 

[jwright82]

There actually are other drug mentions in the bible.
"Mandrake," in Gen. 30:14-18, is a hallucinogen. In a sordid episode, Leah trades her mandrake to Rachel in exchange for a night with Jacob.
Not exactly commendable behavior.


And the "gall" / "myrrh" of Mk. 15:23 that was in the drink offered to Christ on the cross which he refused is probably equivalent to Hebrew "rosh." The exact identity is debated but Gesenius identifies it as opium. Thus Christ's refusal to consume it. Although some think it's hemlock.

I stand corrected. Now I remember the opium/hemlock thing on the sponge. Thanks.
Did not know about the mandrake thing. I mean I remember the whole affair just not that detail. Like I said people have been using the stuff for forever and probably for the same reasons.

 

[Northern Crofter]

I've never taken gummies so I don't know how they work. But my Christian grandma takes them periodically because she hates the feeling of pain pills. She's like 90 something and in a nursing home. So they do work for her.

THC-laced "gummies" can be far more potent an entheogen / psychedelic than smoking it. Anything that gets you "high" from grass is sorcery per se, even if it be the rudimentary enhancement of sensual pleasure. One has made oneself open to demonic influence on a base physical level.

I agree with Jamey. I'm wary of saying that all uses of a particular plant are evil/sorcery/etc. Everything created on the third day was declared good and has a good use. Yes, it can also be abused, but it must have a good use by original design.

Steve, are you saying that marijuana use is always demonic and that there is no good use for ingesting this plant in any way or form? I do not deny the link between hallucinogens/psychedelics and demonic activity, but I would like to see a more nuanced view that deals with the fact that these things are part of the created order. Or are you saying that plants that were once created good can become so corrupted by the effects of sin that they are now of no good use until the time of general redemption (thinking of Romans 8.19-22)?

 

[davejonescue]

As a person who enjoys smoking weed very much, but has not in over a decade, I have come to the same conclusion I have on some other questionable issues. That is no bad thing will be forbidden us in eternity. Since this life is so short, and because of the potential for weed to be sorcery, I have left this question into the hands of God, who will either allow it, or not, in eternity. On the surface, weed is almost the least harmful mind-altering substance there is. Especially if it is eaten/brewed and not smoked. Yet, there is still the question that it may be wrong. Do I look forward to smoking weed in Heaven, no, because it wont be on the forefront of my mind. But, one of the main reasons we are called to a sober mind is because of our own sinful nature and our arch-enemy 1 Pet. 5:8. When these are disposed, there really is no reason to believe that enjoying mind altering substances are sinful in themselves, as God created all natural things, and said they were good.

As far as the "weed is just for losers" argument. There are tons of millionaires and secularily successful people at the highest levels of business, sports, and entertainment/arts who smoke every day. The same as there are day-drunks and functioning alcoholics. This will only intensify as time progresses and weed is legalized in more states thus making access to it even easier. The church has its job cut out for it formulating very concrete apologetics to continue the prohibition of weed to future generations; as they will be raised in a culture of legality.

 

[jwright82]

As a person who enjoys smoking weed very much, but has not in over a decade, I have come to the same conclusion I have on some other questionable issues. That is no bad thing will be forbidden us in eternity. Since this life is so short, and because of the potential for weed to be sorcery, I have left this question into the hands of God, who will either allow it, or not, in eternity. On the surface, weed is almost the least harmful mind-altering substance there is. Especially if it is eaten/brewed and not smoked. Yet, there is still the question that it may be wrong. Do I look forward to smoking weed in Heaven, no, because it wont be on the forefront of my mind. But, one of the main reasons we are called to a sober mind is because of our own sinful nature and our arch-enemy 1 Pet. 5:8. When these are disposed, there really is no reason to believe that enjoying mind altering substances are sinful in themselves, as God created all natural things, and said they were good.

As far as the "weed is just for losers" argument. There are tons of millionaires and secularily successful people at the highest levels of business, sports, and entertainment/arts who smoke every day. The same as there are day-drunks and functioning alcoholics. This will only intensify as time progresses and weed is legalized in more states thus making access to it even easier. The church has its job cut out for it formulating very concrete apologetics to continue the prohibition of weed to future generations; as they will be raised in a culture of legality.

Right and back to my original post. Someone partaking of weed everyday is not going to be noticed as acting abnormal if that's how they always act, a functional weedaholich.
But a functional alcoholic can do everything right and still reek of alcohol.

 

[Charles Johnson]

As far as the "weed is just for losers" argument. There are tons of millionaires and secularily successful people at the highest levels of business, sports, and entertainment/arts who smoke every day. The same as there are day-drunks and functioning alcoholics. This will only intensify as time progresses and weed is legalized in more states thus making access to it even easier. The church has its job cut out for it formulating very concrete apologetics to continue the prohibition of weed to future generations; as they will be raised in a culture of legality.

Who are these upstanding citizens that just happen to smoke Marijuana all the time?

There's Snoop Dogg and other rappers, who act like clowns, and... well that's about it.

Even though up to 10% of Americans smoke Marijuana daily, very few people at the upper echelons of society do. I grew up around a lot of surgeons and engineers, since one of my parents was a surgeon and the other an engineer, and absolutely no one in those circles would touch marijuana with a 10 foot pole. Most would drink socially though.

And in college, the potsmokers I knew either dropped out (one had a full schizophrenic break), or they got C's and barely scraped by. Exactly 0% of straight A students smoked marijuana daily, and a small percent consumed occasionally on a weekend.

 

[Taahanni]

Sincere question: is it sinful for a Christian to smoke cigarettes? Cigarettes do not offer any benefit to the human body and only cause harm, as opposed to smoking pipes and cigars. Supposedly, there are some benefits to smoking a pipe/cigar on occasion, but I know those benefits are debated. Prior to getting pregnant, I myself smoked cigars on occasion with my husband. Anyway, since we are supposed to honor God with our bodies, is it acceptable to engage in an activity that only poses health risks? I know several Christians who smoke cigarettes, and I am not asking this question from a place of judgment but rather from a desire to gain understanding.

By the same token, is it lawful for a Christian to gamble purely for the experience of it and not for any greedy motives? For example, if someone were to visit Las Vegas for a business trip and decided while there that they just want to have the one-time experience of going to a large casino with a friend/co-worker simply for the fun of it, almost as if it were a sight-seeing activity.

I am not sure if this is distracting from the main topic at hand, so if it is, I apologize!

 

[Charles Johnson]

Sincere question: is it sinful for a Christian to smoke cigarettes? Cigarettes do not offer any benefit to the human body and only cause harm, as opposed to smoking pipes and cigars. Supposedly, there are some benefits to smoking a pipe/cigar on occasion, but I know those benefits are debated. Prior to getting pregnant, I myself smoked cigars on occasion with my husband. Anyway, since we are supposed to honor God with our bodies, is it acceptable to engage in an activity that only poses health risks? I know several Christians who smoke cigarettes, and I am not asking this question from a place of judgment but rather from a desire to gain understanding.

By the same token, is it lawful for a Christian to gamble purely for the experience of it and not for any greedy motives? For example, if someone were to visit Las Vegas for a business trip and decided while there that they just want to have the one-time experience of going to a large casino with a friend/co-worker simply for the fun of it, almost as if it were a sight-seeing activity.

I am not sure if this is distracting from the main topic at hand, so if it is, I apologize!

Smoking cigarettes to the point of damaging one's health or being enslaved to it is certainly sinful.

I think gambling is a sin but maybe that's just my inner midwestern fundamentalist speaking. I was raised in a fundamentalist family and gambling remains illegal in my home state of Wisconsin (although the natives are permitted to open casinos since they are not subject to state law).

 

[jwright82]

Sincere question: is it sinful for a Christian to smoke cigarettes? Cigarettes do not offer any benefit to the human body and only cause harm, as opposed to smoking pipes and cigars. Supposedly, there are some benefits to smoking a pipe/cigar on occasion, but I know those benefits are debated. Prior to getting pregnant, I myself smoked cigars on occasion with my husband. Anyway, since we are supposed to honor God with our bodies, is it acceptable to engage in an activity that only poses health risks? I know several Christians who smoke cigarettes, and I am not asking this question from a place of judgment but rather from a desire to gain understanding.

By the same token, is it lawful for a Christian to gamble purely for the experience of it and not for any greedy motives? For example, if someone were to visit Las Vegas for a business trip and decided while there that they just want to have the one-time experience of going to a large casino with a friend/co-worker simply for the fun of it, almost as if it were a sight-seeing activity.

I am not sure if this is distracting from the main topic at hand, so if it is, I apologize!

I smoke cigarettes and only gamble at cards with my brothers so I can't respond in a neutral way.

 

[jwright82]

Who are these upstanding citizens that just happen to smoke Marijuana all the time?

There's Snoop Dogg and other rappers, who act like clowns, and... well that's about it.

Even though up to 10% of Americans smoke Marijuana daily, very few people at the upper echelons of society do. I grew up around a lot of surgeons and engineers, since one of my parents was a surgeon and the other an engineer, and absolutely no one in those circles would touch marijuana with a 10 foot pole. Most would drink socially though.

And in college, the potsmokers I knew either dropped out (one had a full schizophrenic break), or they got C's and barely scraped by. Exactly 0% of straight A students smoked marijuana daily, and a small percent consumed occasionally on a weekend.

My dad was a very successful general contractor in Clay county Florida and so I was around many upper echelon people. They all smoked because I knew about it from dealers I talked to. I mean I knew which news anchors and school officials were doing it, among other things.
Trust me the difference between an 15-25 year old as far as the fact their brain isn't fully developed and a 30-55 year old professional is astounding. I'm willing to bet, since someone already brought up gambling, you would be surprised how many professional successful business owners you know that actually smoke.

 

[Charles Johnson]

My dad was a very successful general contractor in Clay county Florida and so I was around many upper echelon people. They all smoked because I knew about it from dealers I talked to. I mean I knew which news anchors and school officials were doing it, among other things.
Trust me the difference between an 15-25 year old as far as the fact their brain isn't fully developed and a 30-55 year old professional is astounding. I'm willing to bet, since someone already brought up gambling, you would be surprised how many professional successful business owners you know that actually smoke.

We had one teacher that smoked at my high school. It was widely known, because of his "chill dude" demeanor.

I am a teacher, and I do know teachers (not at my current workplace, but at past ones) that occasionally smoked pot, or have in the past. No one I've known comes close to being a daily user though.

I will grant that one can be a successful profession and a weekend user of marijuana, because I've known some such people.

Those who smoke every morning, though, tend toward unemployment. That was also the opinion of a man at our church that ran a ministry to the homeless in the inner city.

 

[Taahanni]

I smoke cigarettes and only gamble at cards with my brothers so I can't respond in a neutral way.

How would you respond to a fellow believer who states these things are always contrary to Christian living?

I will grant that one can be a successful profession and a weekend user of marijuana, because I've known some such people.

Those who smoke every morning, though, tend toward unemployment. That was also the opinion of a man at our church that ran a ministry to the homeless in the inner city.

I also know several people who use marijuana "responsibly". Is marijuana use in itself inherently wrong, or is it simply the abuse of it that is wrong?

 

[jwright82]

We had one teacher that smoked at my high school. It was widely known, because of his "chill dude" demeanor.

I am a teacher, and I do know teachers (not at my current workplace, but at past ones) that occasionally smoked pot, or have in the past. No one I've known comes close to being a daily user though.

I will grant that one can be a successful profession and a weekend user of marijuana, because I've known some such people.

Those who smoke every morning, though, tend toward unemployment. That was also the opinion of a man at our church that ran a ministry to the homeless in the inner city.

I do agree with you because in my experience successful business professionals have a lot of self control or they wouldn't be where they are. So only on the weekends or after work completely aligns with my experience, so I completely agree with you. Also don't smoke anyone if you're a Christian.

 

[jwright82]

How would you respond to a fellow believer who states these things are always contrary to Christian living?


I also know several people who use marijuana "responsibly". Is marijuana use in itself inherently wrong, or is it simply the abuse of it that is wrong?

Well that's a hypothetical scenario because in general I don't where that stuff on my sleeve. Some people at church know that I smoke cigarettes but no one's approached me about it.
But if someone did I would try to gauge where they are coming from, like in apologetics where your greatest tool is listening. But I guess if it got down to it I would plead Christian liberty. I would be more interested in they're argument than in simply proclaiming my liberty in those areas.
Than it would depend on how the conversation went you know. I mean I don't want to sound mean but you never know how a person will respond to a conversation, most of the time it goes in a more peaceful way but ultimately I wouldn't ever do it around them or talk about it so as not to offend. That's just being mature.
I mean I know that in the back of all of our minds we know that when you're talking to an adult they're an adult and they can do what they want. So most people don't waste their time. I mean this is part of being an adult is traversing life with all it's complexities. I work with a lot of teenagers and some of them complain about their parents and how they can't wait to move out and I'll always remind them that the grass only looks greener because you're on the other side of the fence.
But what you asked is very much inline with the OP because it's taking the conversation on a specific example of possible Christian liberty and dealing with the concept itself, what I like about your question is that it runs counter to how this subject is normally approached.
Normally it's approached in can I do this or can a Christian do that kind of way. You bypassed it to whether or not you can/should do it, how would you handle someone who is a fellow believer and has a problem with that? I really like that a lot. You spun the issue on it's head.

 

[MW]

Issues of liberty always raise the question as to what we are given freedom to do? Why are Christians free? To serve the Lord, be witnesses for Him in the world, and to seek a heavenly country. In that respect we should use our liberty wisely. And what does Wisdom say?

Prov. 31:4-7, "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more."

After years of observation I have noticed one thing that is true for everyone -- the person who indulges is not usually conscious of the adverse effects it is having on him. The action leads to a habit; the habit is justified and becomes an attitude; the attitude is manifested in the judgments that are made on other people. This is the natural progression as described by Psalm 1. Walking, standing, sitting -- counsel, way, seat (of judgment) -- ungodly, sinners, scornful.

What you do matters!

Neurological science has demonstrated that this progression is anatomical. Actions affect hormones, brain chemistry and pathways. Yes, even doing something once will change the way you think about that action. The warnings of Scripture fully accord with our physiology as well as our moral, social, and religious constitution.

Prov. 4:20-22, "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh."

 

[Pomopu]

הָלַךְ, עָמַד,יָשָׁב, the three relevant words from Psalm 1. I can't explain why, but my Hebrew professor informed my class he fails to see any exegetical support for the idea of "progression of sin," perhaps given the use of those words elsewhere, and the context of the Psalm, and the actual use of Hebrew parallelism. But I don't really know why. I just remember that my previous assumption about Psalm 1 was mistaken. Who knows?

Not that it really matters. True statement anyway, about sin progressing.

 

[davejonescue]

Who are these upstanding citizens that just happen to smoke Marijuana all the time?

There's Snoop Dogg and other rappers, who act like clowns, and... well that's about it.

Even though up to 10% of Americans smoke Marijuana daily, very few people at the upper echelons of society do. I grew up around a lot of surgeons and engineers, since one of my parents was a surgeon and the other an engineer, and absolutely no one in those circles would touch marijuana with a 10 foot pole. Most would drink socially though.

And in college, the potsmokers I knew either dropped out (one had a full schizophrenic break), or they got C's and barely scraped by. Exactly 0% of straight A students smoked marijuana daily, and a small percent consumed occasionally on a weekend.

According to AP, there are now more daily weed smokers than daily alcohol drinkers. That upward trend will probably not change. To say that somehow the daily drinkers are more successful and all the weed smokers are at the bottom rung of society is naive at best, and projecting at worst. There can be found daily weed smokers throughout all facets of secularly successful society, from the medical field, to the scientific community, to the literary world, in education, in tech, in business, in the trades, in the arts, in sports, and the list can go on.

Not every daily weed-smoker is your "have to have a toke every 5 minutes" person, just like not every daily drinker carries a flask to pour liquor into any drink they consume. Some can wake up, smoke, and go throughout their whole day and not smoke again until they get home. Some only smoke when they get home, like many daily drinkers do to unwind. As far as the intoxicant of choice for the homelessness, alcoholism by far is the main addiction; and is much more a cause, and a plight to keep people homeless than weed ever will be.

The only real reason weed is off limits to Christians, is because it enables Satan to more easily tempt one to sin. All the opinions about its "devastating" effects are disproved continually if people do simple research and don't automatically assume every stoner is the poster boy for Dazed and Confused. I am not a pro-weed advocate. I think heavy use leaves people in a stupor, but no more of a stupor than day-drinkers and functioning alcoholics, which I am also against. We really have to come to the conclusion, that in secular society, there are responsible daily weed smokers, just like there are responsible drinkers. And that the Bible spends more ink on the dangers of drunkenness than narcotic highs.

 

[Charles Johnson]

According to AP, there are now more daily weed smokers than daily alcohol drinkers. That upward trend will probably not change. To say that somehow the daily drinkers are more successful and all the weed smokers are at the bottom rung of society is naive at best, and projecting at worst.

Didn't you just say you were homeless when you used drugs? Doesn't your life story confirm everything I'm saying? When you used, you were living on the streets, and when you stopped, you got a job and became a productive member of society.

I rest my case.