Since March of 2020, Covid-19 has had a number of negative effects on American life, one of which has been an increase in substance use tied to coping with the pandemic. According to the American Psychological Association, thirteen percent of Americans either began or increased substance use as a means of dealing with Covid-related stress. This trend should prompt wider public concern.
Despite the worries of some that substance abuse is getting out of control, national support for drug legalization has grown. The legalization of recreational marijuana is one of the most widely supported drug-related policy changes of recent years. Any conservative who values social order, and any Christian who believes in the authority of scripture, should be bothered by this phenomenon. Unfortunately, PEW Research has shown that many Christians (54%) and conservatives (47%) do support legalizing recreational marijuana. This article will lay out some physical, social, and religious issues associated with marijuana, and why conservatives and Christians should think twice before supporting its legalization.
One common defense of non-medical marijuana use is it’s harmless effects to those who partake in it. This claim does not hold up upon an examination of the physiological effects it has on those that use it. Per the NIH’s marijuana research report, THC, marijuana’s psychoactive compound, affects the hippocampus, cerebellum, and orbitofrontal cortex (responsible for memory, decision making, and reaction time, respectively) by attaching to cannabinoid receptors in neurons and temporarily impairing those brain regions’ function. As a result, marijuana use negatively interferes with individuals’ concentration, memory, coordination, and ability to learn. A 2019 Healthline article claims that marijuana use also negatively affects fertility by decreasing sperm count by as much as 30% and delaying ovulation.
Another common pro-marijuana argument is that it’s not addictive. The same NIH report claims that 30% of pot users develop marijuana use disorder (i.e. dependence), which becomes addiction in severe cases. According to the CDC, 10% of pot users become addicted; that figure rises to almost 17% for people who began using before the age of 18. Marijuana’s worst effects, as reported by NIH, are linked to regular, long-term use, which has been tied to increased risk of psychosis, schizophrenia, and IQ decline. With this data in mind, non-medical marijuana use should be considered a national health concern.
Let’s now discuss why conservatives and Christians in particular should oppose recreational pot legalization. This issue does not simply raise obvious health concerns; it is also tied into debate on the limits of personal liberty. Within the Right, conservatives and libertarians differ philosophically regarding restrictions on personal freedoms. Extreme libertarians often believe individuals should have unrestrained personal freedom, so long as they are not causing others harm. But regarding the matter of causing harm, can it really be argued that increased risk of psychotic episodes, DUIs, fertility issues, addiction, and other consequences of substance use present no negative effects on others? Are we truly not bothered by the prospect of living in a society where fewer and fewer people are able to pass a drug test, or where our teachers, childcare providers, and medical workers are increasingly under the influence? Legalizing recreational marijuana will surely negatively affect individuals’ ability to maintain confidence in the sobriety and sound judgement of their communities. If conservatives value social order, they should not support policies that interfere with the personal and psychological independence, sobriety, and restraint required to maintain that order.
Some support recreational marijuana because they figure that no argument can be made against pot that cannot also be made against alcohol, which has long been legal. Many of the sorts of social problems marijuana poses (addiction, health issues, etc.) are also caused by alcohol, so what’s the big deal? Before addressing this, we must remind ourselves of the primary concern at hand: substance abuse and its consequences. We ought to seek means of mitigating drug abuse problems rather than turn a blind eye to policies that further enable those problems by making drugs more accessible. If we say we value social order and keeping substance abuse at bay, it makes no sense to turn around and legalize marijuana. To observe the consequences of drug use and respond by throwing yet another substance be abused into the mix would be to go against our principles.
Finally, Christians should not support legalizing recreational marijuana if they respect the authority of scripture. The Bible has much to say concerning the personal and spiritual importance of sobriety and self-control, both of which substance use interferes with. In 1 Peter 5:8, readers are reminded to “be sober-minded and watchful,” for their “adversary the devil prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour.” Cultural trends are powerful, and Christians might be tempted to go along with others’ behavior or to not address moral issues deemed ‘harmless’ or ‘unimportant’ by the broader society. But Christians are presented with a Biblical standard, and they are to hold themselves to high standards in all that they say and do. They therefore should not support policies that endorse insobriety or further enable individuals’ potential development of substance dependency or abuse.
Conservatism and Christianity both have great potential to provide a powerful counter-narrative to discussions and policies that undermine social morality and order. It would be wise for both groups to continue to unite their values and visions to combat morally questionable movements like the push for drug legalization.
The views and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the values and beliefs of Cogitare Magazine, nor of Grove City College.
