What Does the Bible Say About Weed?

The growing awareness about the numerous benefits of cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes has created a strong advocacy for the legalization of cannabis. As of 2024, weed is legal in more than 24 States.

Over 219 million people use marijuana worldwide. This growing number raises questions such as what does the Bible say about weed?

Scriptures do have a lot to say about subjects such as intoxication, addiction, and health. Knowing what the scripture says about weed may help you decide whether the plant is problematic for the followers.

Let’s find out.

Is Weed Allowed According to Scriptures?

Cannabis is one of the oldest crops, and its use for recreational purposes dates as far back as 750 BC. The changing legal stance regarding cannabis has raised a lot of questions, especially ‘What does the bible say about weed?’

While the Bible does not directly refer to the use of weed or cannabis, it does have principles regarding herbs, plants, substances, and how to use them. Looking into biblical citations regarding these subjects can help us derive a perspective in the context of faith.

Biblical Perspective on Plants and Herbs

To know what the Bible says about weed, we need to look into numerous biblical citations. The Bible acknowledges plants and herbs as a creation of God with intended purposes.

For example, Genesis 1:29 states, “Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.’” This verse doesn’t only emphasize plants and herbs as God’s creation but also their purpose of consumption as food.

While many people believe this refers to plants and herbs as beneficial to humans, other verses also mention the misuse of creation. For example, 1 Corinthians 6:12 states, “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything,” suggesting that while God’s creation is good and beneficial, its use should align with righteousness.

This negates the idea of consuming plants for a state of being controlled by a substance. This could refer to plants such as cannabis that have a mind-altering effect, implying that using weed for its hallucinogenic effects is harmful.

Healing Properties of Plants

The Bible refers to the medicinal properties of plants and herbs in many passages, and it mentions multiple times that plants are God’s creation for human benefit.

Ezekiel 47:12 states, “Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Therefore, it’s safe to say that scriptures support the use of herbs and plants for their healing properties.

Many researches have established that cannabis has numerous medicinal properties. Compounds such as cannabinoids are useful for relieving pain, treating neuropathic problems, relieving anxiety, and regulating the sleep cycle. The therapeutic benefits of CBD and other cannabinoids are widely recognized.

Does the Bible Mention the Intoxicating Effects of Plants?

The Bible mentions the medicinal purposes of plants. It also talks about the intoxicating effects.

Cannabis is not explicitly mentioned in the scripture. However, we can derive a perspective from the warnings regarding intoxication.

Ephesians 5:18 quotes, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit.” This verse mentions substance abuse and its harmful effect on human behavior.

If other similar substances, such as weed, can impair judgment, impacting your behavior, then it’s more about the principle of self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23 talks about self-control as a fruit of the human spirit. If your activities, such as smoking weed or using cannabis products, can impair judgment, affect your behavior, and make you lose self-control, it is prohibited. This stance only makes cannabis ideal for medicinal purposes and its therapeutic benefits.

The Bible’s View of Addiction

We may derive some positive instances from the Bible for using cannabis for medical purposes and treating various ailments.

However, we should keep in mind that the Bible strictly prohibits binge drinking, escalating substance abuse, and intoxication. Any activity that makes you lose self-control due to the intoxicating effects is not allowed, according to the scripture.

Testaments such as Galatians 5:19-21, “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God,” warn against causing harm to others after indulging in addiction and substance abuse.

Cannabis Regulation Laws

Cannabis laws differ from state to state. In some states, marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes, while others allow weed for recreational use. Many states have established a specific limit.

For example, certain states allow cannabis products with 0.3% THC as it distinguishes between hemp and weed.

This 0.3% THC does not produce intoxicating psychoactive effects. This also aligns with what the Bible says about the use of plants for their healing properties and establishes that weed should not be used for their mind-altering effects.

In most parts of the world, cannabinoids derived from hemp, such as CBD, are legal. CBD products have many therapeutic benefits; therefore, products with less than 0.3% THC, such as CBD oils, tinctures, and topicals, are legal.

The FDA does not approve the use of cannabis for medical use. Instead, regulated hemp products are available at a few dispensaries for treating medical conditions. Licensed dispensaries can also sell edibles and oils in states where weed is legal.

These dispensaries have to follow the cannabis laws of the area and assess quality, concentration, and patient eligibility before selling any products.

Wrapping Up

The Bible has a lot to say regarding alcohol consumption, its effects, and the dangers of being mastered by a substance. While we don’t have a clear stance on weed since it isn’t directly mentioned in the Bible, we must derive a perspective from subjects such as plants and herbs and their rightful use.

With weed becoming legal in most parts of the world, it’s only wise to know what the Bible says about weed. Before you consider using weed and other cannabis products, you should consider their effect, impact on health, and the purpose of use.

It’s important to remember that cannabis can impact clarity. To safely use cannabis products for therapeutic effects, look into the potency and benefits first.