I grew up in a Christian home, and I was a pretty good Christian. I didn’t party, drink, or do drugs. I was very involved with my youth group at church during my teenage years. I even felt the call to Christian ministry as a teenager too.

But a couple of years ago I tried cannabis for the first time, and I enjoyed it. I’m not saying that I use it for any medicinal reasons, but it does help me get better sleep than I’ve had all my life. I do my best to use it responsibly. I don’t drive after using. I wait till after my kids are in bed. I don’t use during the day when I’m working. It has helped me relax after long days. It has helped spawn good conversation and laughter with my wife. You can’t take too much. No one has ever overdosed from cannabis, and there are no withdrawal symptoms when I go without.

I’ve been a youth pastor for 10 years now, and I love my job. But there are times when I feel a tension between my job and cannabis. I can’t really talk to anyone at church about it, because of the stigma surrounding cannabis. But I’m grateful that my wife is supportive.

I’m amazed how much freedom our society takes with alcohol and it’s enjoyment, yet cannabis is seen as a big No-No. It just seems like a weird trade-off.

I wish we could have honest conversations with one another about cannabis. I wish there wasn’t a knee-jerk judgment from people who know nothing about it.