I started using cannabis several years ago purely for recreational purposes. However, I have struggled with intense episodes of depression my whole life and I was secretly hoping it would help me with that. It did. But not in the way of erasing bad feelings, etc. – it forced me to face them and process them with a full realization that God was right there using cannabis as a “tool” to help me.

Weed has helped the opaque fog in my mind lift the point where I can “feel” God and recognize my connection with Him in such an intense and pure and real way (I have hesitated to tell anyone this because the topic is so controversial and honestly I still feel uncomfortable due to the stigma out there and hoping God doesn’t this consider this a form of false gospel preaching). But I feel that starting the conversation is a smart way to go vs. instantly shutting people down who use cannabis. Taking in context (not using an excuse to sin!), I feel like if you are going to do it, you should fully glorify God while doing so vs. shutting him out. “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

I believe that God has a specific purpose for this plant but he doesn’t want us to idolize/worship it. We can recognize His goodness in providing a plant that was thoughtfully designed for us. The fact it’s so prohibitive to mention inside the church just isolates people and it makes it more appealing for kids who want to rebel, so the negative stigma grows and causes addiction and division and dishonesty and idol worship – something the Church needs a whole lot less of.

Lastly, I can tell you that I used to drink a lot and alcohol is 1000x more addictive than weed. When I stopped drinking, I realized how much of my depression/bad thinking/behavior was tied to that substance. Quitting alcohol was a real project and it took months for me to shake off that demon and spiritually & physically “recover”. Though I enjoy the benefits of Cannabis, I could go months or years or the rest of my life never using it again.