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Reasons Not to Smoke Weed (Even if It’s Legal in Your State)

reasons not to smoke weed

These days, many U.S. teens need to hear reasons not to smoke weed. I live in Colorado, which pioneered the legalization of recreational marijuana use. As a lifelong resident, I’m not happy about that. Unfortunately, more states have followed Colorado’s example in the past decade.

As the founder of a ministry that’s committed to reaching teenagers with the hope of Jesus Christ, I’m very concerned about the legalization of weed. I had an interesting conversation with my 15-year-old son. I realized I’d never clearly, biblically laid out a comprehensive case against weed. Sure, we’ve talked about it. He doesn’t do drugs or want to try them. But he wasn’t as clear about the “why” as I’d hoped. So I decided to build a strong biblical case against marijuana use for the Christian teen. I made a list of 10 specifics reasons not to smoke weed.

By the way, I’m not totally against legitimate medical marijuana use. I watched my mom die slowly and painfully of stage-four cancer. I would’ve rather watched her smoke a joint to ease her pain in her final days than the total-shut-down-of-her-senses medications the doctor prescribed.

But I also believe recreational marijuana use can be absolutely devastating to younger and older people alike. And Christians should never use marijuana “just for fun.” This is especially true of Christian teenagers.

The more I travel, the more I talk to youth leaders whose kids think marijuana use is “no big deal.” These Christian teens view weed as less dangerous than drinking and less addictive than heroin. In their view, it just makes you feel good and, well…what’s wrong with that?

So, as an evangelist to young people and a dad, I want to provide 10 arguments against using marijuana.

10 Reasons Not to Smoke Weed

1.  It’s a sin for Christians to let any controlled substance control them.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

When your stomach is full of wine, your bloodstream is full of alcohol. When your lungs are full of marijuana smoke, your bloodstream is full of THC (the active drug in marijuana).

As believers, the only “controlled substance” that should overtake our minds, bodies and senses is the power of the Holy Spirit. Any other mind-altering drug is off-limits for Christ followers. As believers, we should never get drunk with alcohol or high on drugs. Instead we should be full of the Holy Spirit!

2.  For teens, using weed is illegal.

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 12:1-2

Even in my free-wheeling state, you must be 21 to consume recreational drugs. In other words, to smoke weed before then is breaking the law…and breaking the law is a sin.