Should You Vote to Legalize Recreational Marijuana?
While I may not be inclined to address this topic directly from the pulpit I do feel strongly enough about it to address it in writing as your pastor. Let me clarify this reasoning. As a pastor my job is to shepherd the disciples of Christ that have explicitly asked me to be their shepherd. I am supposed to faithfully communicate God's word to them and help them follow Christ. One way I do this is by obeying God's commands myself and directly telling the Christians under my care what the word of God directly commands. Another way I do this is by sharing openly what I think is biblically wise. Many things I share about biblical wisdom may not be automatically binding on the conscience of every believer, but I still have the responsibility to announce what I think is biblically wise. As I address this topic I am speaking from the "wisdom" sphere of my authority: sharing/announcing what I think is most consistent with Biblical wisdom.
Here is why I will be voting NO on SD IM 29 (the legalization of recreational marijuana)
1. I love my neighbors. If my neighbors use it they will be harmed. If they use it they are more likely to harm my other neighbors. See reason 2.
2. Where recreational marijuana is legalized there is always a rise in violent crime, psychotic episodes, suicide (especially among children), workplace accidents and auto accidents (not to mention the increased risks of heart attack and stroke). Just ask any leader of any state that has legalized it if it has improved the quality of life in their state. It has done the opposite. I recently sat next to Paul Ten Haken at a pastors breakfast and he told me that he's talked to multiple state and urban leaders on this issue. He said that "not one of them will say that it has made life better in their state." Colorado alone saw an increase in cannabis poisoning among children increase by 148% between 2012 and 2016.
3. Reasons 1 and 2 demonstrate that legalizing it will create bondage for people and not more freedom. Our laws should protect freedom and not create more chains and more harm.
4. Personal experience: I have watched both the use and distribution of marijuana rob young people of their lives. Literally. There are many issues where we are not given a choice. On this issue we have a choice and I will be voting NO on IM29. I encourage you to vote NO as well.
Pastor Cory
Here is why I will be voting NO on SD IM 29 (the legalization of recreational marijuana)
1. I love my neighbors. If my neighbors use it they will be harmed. If they use it they are more likely to harm my other neighbors. See reason 2.
2. Where recreational marijuana is legalized there is always a rise in violent crime, psychotic episodes, suicide (especially among children), workplace accidents and auto accidents (not to mention the increased risks of heart attack and stroke). Just ask any leader of any state that has legalized it if it has improved the quality of life in their state. It has done the opposite. I recently sat next to Paul Ten Haken at a pastors breakfast and he told me that he's talked to multiple state and urban leaders on this issue. He said that "not one of them will say that it has made life better in their state." Colorado alone saw an increase in cannabis poisoning among children increase by 148% between 2012 and 2016.
3. Reasons 1 and 2 demonstrate that legalizing it will create bondage for people and not more freedom. Our laws should protect freedom and not create more chains and more harm.
4. Personal experience: I have watched both the use and distribution of marijuana rob young people of their lives. Literally. There are many issues where we are not given a choice. On this issue we have a choice and I will be voting NO on IM29. I encourage you to vote NO as well.
Pastor Cory
Recent
Archive
Categories
no categories
No Comments