Marijuana/Alcohol

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
To be honest, I'm not sure how connected this little blog will be.  I wrote down my notes a few months ago, then never had a chance to get on here and write it out.  But... here goes.

Who would have ever thought I would blog about marijuana?!  Have I ever used it?  NO.  But I have known plenty of people who have.  Have I ever wanted to use it?  NO.  I have seen the results.  It alters the person's behavior - which means it affects the brain.  There is someone dear to me who used to drink and do drugs.  He would be mean while on drugs - including marijuana, and mellow when drunk.  Wow.  It altered his behavior.  Imagine that. 

I understand that it can relax a person, help them chill, etc.  Just as alcohol does.  But there are many more ways to "chill" and/or "relax" than using either.  Marijuana and/or alcohol is often a gateway for stronger drugs.  Those using them are looking for a "better high".  Lives are lost, families are ripped apart, people are homeless - most because of their addiction.

Addiction.  Some people can handle more than others.  Everyone is different.  Then there are those who take one drink - they become an alcoholic, or, smoke one joint - they are addicted.  There are social drinkers and there are social smokers.  It depends on whether the person has an addictive personality and/or if addictions are prevalent in the family.  Do you think that someone just decides to become addicted?  "Oh, I think I'll become addicted today to....".  No. That's not how it happens. It can be progressive.  Don't try to tell me it's not harmful.  Tell the friends of mine who are now dead....those who started out with smoking joints and then went on to "bigger and better" drugs.  Tell the friends of mine who are dead....those who started drinking with their buddies, became alcoholics, spent time in jail and then ended up dead because of drinking and driving.  Tell the friends of mine who are still alive.... and now addicted to crack, heroin, coke, etc.... and either on the streets selling their bodies or spending time in prison.  Tell my friend who is now a crack whore, who lost every one of her children....who started smoking weed. 

An argument FOR marijuana is "marijuana is natural".  Yes, it is.  So is poison ivy.  Do you want to smoke that? 

Another argument is a lot of smart people smoke weed.  Sure a lot of smart  people smoke weed.  Smart people also drink alcohol.  But, you cannot say that they do not harm the body.  It is a proven scientific fact that marijuana and alcohol do kill off brain cells.  Imagine how smart these "smart people" would be if they didn't use weed or didn't drink.  In fact, someone super dear to me told me a few months ago that a young lady we knew used to be very smart, but she smoked too much weed.  Wait.... USED TO BE?  SMOKED TOO MUCH WEED?  The person who told me this used to smoke it himself and would love to again.   

I have a question:  Should pregnant or nursing women smoke or drink when pregnant or nursing?  No.  Why?  Because the baby ingests it.  It's harmful.  Well, if it's harmful to the baby, then it's harmful to the mother.  By the way, this was a question I posed to someone who is PRO marijuana use.  SHE was the one who said no.

People who want to use it think that marijuana (and/or alcohol) are okay.  They will always come up with arguments to justify their use.  But that doesn't make it okay.  "Do not speak to a fool, for he will scorn the wisdom of your words." Proverbs 23:9