Marijuana

Marijuana is a Schedule I Controlled Substance in the United States of America, meaning that it is an illegal substance under the law of the United States. In a few countries, particularly in Western Europe, the substance is legal, but in other countries it is subject to much harsher criminal penalties than in the United States. It comes from the Cannabis plant.

The main active ingredient in marijuana is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, an organic chemical compound.

The effects of marijuana can include short-term memory loss, mild hallucinations, and an impairment of physical and mental functioning. Proponents of marijuana have claimed that it has medicinal benefits although other treatments can also deliver these benefits to various ailments without hallucinations and the impairments to judgment. Some have advocated for decriminalization. . Many people of varying political alignment advocate its legalization.

Many American conservatives, especially social conservatives, oppose legalization of marijuana in any form due to its harmful medical and emotional effects and its likelihood of harm to third parties due to drug-related crime and impaired driving driving. Tests on on people under the influence of marijuana have shown that marijuana does not impair drivers as much as other substances. Due to the nature of the "high" people under the influence are known to in fact not be reckless and drive slower and more with more caution. Marijuana did impact users responce time. A few libertarian-leaning conservatives, most notably William F. Buckley, P.J. O'Rourke, and Larry Elder, have advocated the decriminalization of this drug. Some liberals support legalization, but most instead advocate for drug treatment and rehabilitation. Libertarians are usually the biggest supporters of marijuana legalization.

A religious or sacramental use of marijuana is reported in various cultures such as those of the Rastafari movement or the Sadhus of India.

References

The Holy Bible

God said, "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Gen. 1:29-31)

The Lord said unto me, "I will take my rest and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away and cut down the branches. (Is. 18:4-5)

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereupon thou hast attained. (Paul: 1 Timothy 4:1-6)