What about the medical use of marijuana? Is it legitimate? by Jack Kettler
In this article I will defend the use of marijuana for medical purposes. My lines of argumentation will be as follows:
1. An appeal to a proper understanding of Scripture.
2. An appeal to medical science.
3. An appeal to the Constitution.
4. An appeal to entrepreneurial-ship.
Contrary to official government propaganda, Cannabis Sativa has been used as medicine in many of the world’s cultures for thousands of years. More importantly, the use of marijuana for medical use and even recreational use is not a conservative or liberal issue. It is a constitutional freedom issue! A case in point, conservative Christian columnist, Michelle Malkin, has powerfully defended the medical use of marijuana as a freedom issue. Links to articles on this topic will follow in section 3.
I invite you to be the jury and evaluate my thesis on medical marijuana. To qualify to be on the jury you must watch the: Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN Special – Documentary “Weed” part one and two This two part documentary is positive anecdotal evidence from medical doctors and scientific researchers. Links are listed below in section two.
The CNN documentary is balanced and warns about dangers of marijuana use among young people and how it may arrest brain development. In addition, prolonged recreation abuse in some people may cause psychiatric problems. A close family member, is in a managerial position at a state run mental health facility. In this facility, there are a number of people who have ongoing mental health issues traced to marijuana and other drugs, that have been abuse. As tragic as it is, the amount of people this happens to is statistically insignificant compared to deaths from legally prescribed drugs.
First off, I’m coming from the position, which is committed to alternative complimentary therapies that can assist the best in allopathic medicine. This includes required daily nutritional intake, dietary supplements, herbals, homeopathy, energy medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, and medical marijuana.
A little history on medical freedom that never was:
One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a doctor, educator and politician. Dr. Rush was a member of the Continental Congress and was a member of the Pennsylvania Convention that ratified the US Constitution. He became a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and was a founder of the first American Antislavery society. Rush Medical College in Chicago is named after him.
In addition to Dr. Rush’s amazing career in medicine he had one very significant idea that he wanted added to the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. Dr. Rush believed that the right to Medical Freedom should be imprinted into the Bill of Rights and was just as important as the right to Freedom of Speech and Religion. His thoughts were incredibly accurate given today’s political climate. The following is a quote from Dr. Rush’s argument before the American Continental Congress:
“Unless we put Medical Freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an undercover dictatorship….to restrict the art of healing to one class of men, and deny equal privilege to others, will be to constitute the Bastille of Medical Science. All such laws are UN-American and despotic, and have no place in a Republic…The Constitution of this Republic should make special privilege for Medical Freedom as well as Religious Freedom.”
Unfortunately, the right to medical freedom was not added to the Bill of Rights in the Constitution, and now we have the government, medical and pharmaceutical groups working together to limit our health choices. In short, we have a monstrous medical monopoly enforced by the increasingly compromised and corrupt FDA along with the Federal Trade Commissions (FTC) which routinely censors truthful health claims. See my The Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel and the FDA
The early church theologian Origen allegedly said: “no one would act rationally in avoiding medicine because of it’s heresies. The Bible does not tell us to refuse medicine, it tells us to refuse sorcery. We are free to use medicines in the purposes that God designed them to be used, and are to acknowledge Him concerning them.”
Marijuana laws in America:
Briefly, in 1937 the Marijuana Tax Act was introduced in the U.S. Congress. With this legislation it became mandatory for sellers to acquire a license from the government. In the beginning, outright prohibition was not in view. The Bureau of Narcotics Commissioner, Harry Anslinger testified in hearings on marijuana, that it had to be banned because the so-called inferior peoples would get hopped up on a reefer and go mad and start committing crimes. This “boogie man” populist argument worked extremely well during the time when the Nazi, Sanger, eugenics movement was popular.
Supposedly, an out right ban on hemp was not in view. However, the government workers who were suppose to issue the licenses to sell hemp products, refused to do so, and De Facto prohibition started. From then on, government propaganda machine against marijuana literally exploded with idiotic films like “Reefer Madness.” There is much more that can be said about various businesses at the time that used the power of government to put hemp manufacturers out of business in order to promote their own modern synthetic fabrics. This happens frequently in business. In particular, large corporate manufacturers often support massive government regulations because new start up companies can never over-come the regulatory hurdles to become a viable competitors.
Introduction to an appeal to a proper understanding Scriptures:
Today, conservative Christians are generally the biggest opponents of medical marijuana research and use. One reason I’m writing this article, is to challenge faulty legalistic thinking on the subject. If the Scripture does not forbid something, it would be legalism for the church to forbid what Scripture has not. When doing research on the topic of drug use, correct biblical understanding is crucial. The understanding of word pharmakeia and related words are essential to arrive at a biblically balanced position on the topic. Are there restrictions or contextual limits in our understanding of pharmakeia?
It may come as a surprise, there are many web sites that put forth the idea that there is a connection between pharmakeia and medical doctor prescribed drugs and sorcery. These web sites condemn all pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by a doctor. Is this reasonable or biblical? Are antibiotics drugs like penicillin and high blood pressure medicine connected to sorcery, or witchcraft? Most Christians after serious reflection upon Scripture would hesitate to draw these conclusions. In the case of marijuana for medical use, many Christians, dismiss this possibility out of hand, and fall back upon what I hope demonstrate is a reaction caused by an improper biblical understanding, that attempts to make a connection of pharmakeia (pharmacy, drug store) with drug use, and sorcery.
Unfortunately, many modern Christians accept the present drug laws because of a faulty understanding of pharmakeia. As a result, we have had a nearly a 100 year failed drug war by our federal government against a plant. Literally, tens of thousands of lives have been destroyed for no compelling biblical reason. Police departments, the courts, and politicians have been corrupted because of the huge profits obtained from property seizures and under the table payoffs for officials to keep silent by cash rich drug cartels. No doubt, some will say that “we have to do something.” We do, it is called personal responsibility.
1. An appeal to a proper understanding of Scripture.
Does the bible condemn using a plant like marijuana for medical purposes? Let’s start by looking at the following Scriptures?
“And the earth brought forth grass and herb yielding seed after its kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:12) (underlining emphasis mine)
“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.” (Genesis 1:29-31)
God calls His creation good. Does this include cannabis sativa?
As and aside, wine is mentioned in the bible and since it can be used in moderation or abused, has some comparative similarities to the use of other plants that can be abused or used for good purposes. For example, wine is used during religious occasions such as Passover and the Lord’s Supper. Jesus began his public life by miraculously turning water into real fermented wine at the Wedding at Cana when the party ran out of it’s supply. (John 2:1-10)
Wine is used as a sacrament in a majority of church services around the world by the very command of Christ himself. The use of wine is sanctioned by our Lord, in spite of the fact that it is also abused. The bible clearly condemns drunkenness. Gluttony is condemned in Scripture, and yet God provides the blessings of food in due season for His people.
The Scriptures distinguish between use and misuse. The bible says:
“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.” (Proverbs 31:6-7) “but Woe unto them that … follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them.” (Isaiah 5:10)
There is a principle of Scripture in the Proverbs passage of showing mercy. Today, this principle can be met by prescribed medicines that are more effective in pain management than strong drink.
The blessing of drinking wine is mentioned in Scripture. “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man and oil to make his face to shineth.” (Psalms 104:14-15)
“And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” (Judges 9:13)
“And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.” (Numbers 15:5)
Wine can be abused, yet God commands wine to be offered to Him for a drink offering in the Old Testament.
This next passage gets right to the heart of the matter:
“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; that which cometh out of the mouth defileth a man.” (Matthew 15:11)
It is not that which goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but what comes out of his mouth. If something bad is coming out of a man’s mouth, it is a spiritual heart problem. Taking a puff of marijuana, or taking orally, a refined plant chemical from the cannabis plant or sipping some alcohol does not defile a man. This type of argument is no different than “the devil made me do it.” Giving in to the fleshly desires of the “Old Man,” or “Old Self” (Colossians 3:9-10) is where the real problem is found.
The apostle Paul adds additional information on Christ’s teaching:
“I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. …” “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:14, 17)
This passage from Romans would of include cannabis sativa as not being unclean.
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23)
Does this include marijuana? I would say that recreational marijuana is not expedient, but medical marijuana does fall under the category of mercy by alleviating pain, and other health conditions, and is lawful.
What do the Scriptures say about drug use and the connection with the Greek word pharmakeia and its derivatives?
I’ve collected a number of references to pharmakeia and related words from on-line sources such as the Strong’s Concordance, the Web Net Dictionary, and the Greek-English Dictionary to gain a better scriptural understanding on the subject.
The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance defines the word pharmakeia as follows:
5331 φαρμακεια pharmakeia, far-mak-i’-ah; from 5332; medication (“pharmacy” [pharmaceutical]) i.e. (by extens.) magic (lit. or fig.):-sorcery, witchcraft.5332 φαρμακενς pharmakeus, far-mak-yoos’; from φαρμακον pharmakon (a drug or medicine, a spell giving potion); a druggist (“pharmacist”) or poisoner, i.e. (by extens.) a magician:-sorcerer.5333 φαρμακος pharmakos, far-mak-os’; the same as 5332:-sorcerer.
Pharmakeia farmakeia, pharmakeia Pronunciation: far-mak-i’-ah Origin: from 5332
Definition:
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaphor, the deceptions and seductions of idolatry from 5332; medication (“pharmacy”), i.e. (by extension) magic (literally or figuratively):-sorcery, witchcraft. See the Greek for 5332
pharmakeus farmakeuv pharmakeus
Pronunciation: far-mak-yoos’
Origin: from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion)
Definition:
1) one who prepares or uses magical remedies
2) sorcerer from pharmakon (a drug, i.e. spell-giving potion); a druggist
(“pharmacist”) or poisoner, i.e. (by extension) a magician:-sorcerer.
Word Net Dictionary:
Noun sorcery has 1 sense
sorcery (n = noun cognition) black art, black magic, necromancy – the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world; is a kind of magic, thaumaturgy has particulars: witchcraft, witchery, bewitchment, enchantment, demonism, diabolism, satanism, obiism Derived forms verb sorcerise1, verb sorcerize1, adjective sorcerous1
Noun pharma has 1 sense
pharma (n = noun group) drug company, pharmaceutical company – a company that makes and sells pharmaceuticals; is this kind of company.
And from the Greek-English Dictionary:
pharmakeia = poisoning; sorcery
pharmakeion = drugstore, pharmacy
pharmaki = poison, venom
pharmakon = medicine; drug; remedy
To understand these Greek words properly, ancients Greek texts should be consulted. If this is done, much false understanding will disappear.
It is possible to draw two conclusions from this data on pharmakeia and pharmakon:
1. pharmakeia = sorcery, involving drug-induced idolatrous religious experiences, witchcraft, demonism, deceptions and spell-giving potions, poison.
2. pharmakon = pharmacy; drugstore; medicine; drug; remedy
The first choice while not dealing with all of the possible connections stemming from pharmakeia and sorcery does justice to the biblical data. The second choice also draws conclusions warranted by the biblical data. Said another way, it is clear that there is a connection between pharmakeia, drug use, sorcery, and idolatry. In light of the second choice, it is not clear that there is a connection between pharmakeia, medicine, plant chemicals, naturopaths, homeopaths, and herbalists who use alternative and natural medicines, sorcery, and idolatry. Pharmakeia means poison, sorcery and should not be confused with pharmakon, which can mean medicine.
Pharmakeia and its related word forms appear four times in the Book of Revelation as follows:
“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries (Pharmakeia), nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Revelation 9:21)
”And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries (Pharmakeia) were all nations deceived.” (Revelation 18:23)
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers (pharmakon), and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
“For without are dogs, and sorcerers (pharmakeus), and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Revelation 22:15)
Comments on the passages from Revelation:
There are differing views regarding the interpretation of the book of Revelation. Four common views are the historicist (a method of interpretation which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events), preterist (past fulfillment), futurist (future fulfillment), and the idealist (called the spiritual, allegorical, or non-literal approach) views. The book of Revelation belongs to a class of literature called “apocalyptic.” The bible uses many literary forms. For example, it uses genera’s such as; law, historical narrative, wisdom, poetical, gospel, didactic letters, or epistles, predictive, and apocalyptic literature.
In light of the fact that we are dealing with a special genera of biblical literature, namely, “apocalyptic,” and there are a least four major schools of interpretation that involve rather substantial differences, it is probably best not to use these passages from Revelation to build an iron clad case of binding moral doctrine. Instead, we should look to the didactic portions of Scripture.
The epistle to the Galatians is a didactic portion of Scripture and it lists pharmakeia or pharmacy as works of the flesh for which those doing such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. It should be noted that the Galatians passage in the only other passage outside the book of Revelation where we find the Greek word pharmakeia.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft (pharmakeia), hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:19-23)
Pharmakeia in this verse is clearly connected to the works of the flesh, not doctors or medicine! The context is essential for correct exegetical interpretation.
Ask yourself, in light of the usage of pharmakeia, and related words, is your family doctor involved in sorcery or witchcraft? If so, should you stop going to your doctor? Is your doctor prescribing drugs that induce demonic spiritual experiences? The connection between pharmakeia and sorcery is when a drug concoction is used to induce a spiritual experience. Unfortunately, many Christians have used faulty logic in making connection that is not there between medicine, herbals, sorcery, and idolatry.
The fact that the modern word pharmacy is derived from the Greek pharmakeia, does not prove medical doctors are practicing sorcery. On the contrary, the biblical usage and condemnation is valid when the word pharmakeia carries with it the invoking of, or promotion of idol worship, which is why it is consistently rendered in Scripture as sorcery, and not herbs, medicine. The connection to sorcery is referring to a drug-induced spell in order to commune with the evil spirits.
Therefore, we must understand that Paul’s prohibition of pharmakeia as described in Galatians 5:19-20, in describing the works of the flesh, as a clear indictment of “sorcery,” not of going to the doctor or using properly prescribed medicine or herbals. The gospel writer Luke was a physician, was he practicing sorcery? What about Christian missionary doctors? The astute reader can see how absurd this hard fast connection between pharmakeia, doctors, and medicine.
Moreover, it can be asserted that using medical marijuana prescribed by a doctor is not the same thing as sorcery. Just because many people believe that pharmakeia always equates to sorcery does not make it so. If this were true, it follows logically, that we should not take any prescription medicines, use herbals or go to doctors. As noted, there are many websites that teach that any use of pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by doctors is sorcery. These claims are wrong and a misuse of Scripture and usually associated with futuristic end times mania theology.
Similarly, using marijuana for recreational use is not necessarily sorcery. Recreational drug use in most cases is nothing more than an escape from reality or a seriously skewed view of recreation. It is similar to the abuse of other drugs. For example, alcohol abuse leads to sexual sins, violence, addiction, destruction of families, inability to hold a job. And yet, as seen above, God gave wine to make the heart merry and to remind His people of the shed blood of His Son on the cross in communion.
There is an obvious downside to drug or alcohol abuse. No one wants their children to become dependent on, or injured using drugs or alcohol. As will be seen, the answer is not massive government prohibition programs that can never work, even with the best of intentions.
Concluding this section; suggesting that consuming herbals or prescription medicine is sorcery is contrary to the teaching of Scripture in it’s broader context. If the bible meant that medicine is sorcery, no doctor would be able to prescribe medication without breaking God’s law. If doctors are “sorcerers,” no Christian would be able to take medication to recover from strep throat, reduce high blood pressure and many other ailments. Hence, it should be clear, that there are limits when connecting pharmakeia with drug-induced spiritual idolatrous sorcery.
Scripture does not condemn or ban pharmaceutical drugs, or plant based medicines. Scripture does warn in the strongest terms against drugs connected to idolatrous worship and mind control. If the Scriptures do not condemn or ban something, neither should the church. The church can say that not all things are expedient and not all things work towards having a sound mind. Beyond this, if the church legislates, it is legalism because of going beyond Scripture.
What are modern day examples of drugs being used for evil religious purposes?
Sorcery has unmistakable dark spiritual connections. In the Caribbean, for example, marijuana, is called ganja, and is considered to be “holy” and is used by the Rastafarians. They consider this a sacrament in their false idolatrous worship and a way to get closer to, and understand God.
American Indians in the Southwest have made use of peyote in their religious rituals. Additionally, there are satanic religions like Voodoo, Santeria, and Eastern Religions ceremonies that have been connected to drug use. These are examples of what the Scriptures speak against regarding pharmakeia and sorcery. I would speculate that a pimp using drugs to addict a women and forcer her into prostitution would also fall under the condemnation of pharmakeia and drug-induce control.
In summary and to be clear, I do not encourage the recreational use of drugs. As stated, it is an escape from reality. As Christians, we are to be of sound minds (2 Timothy 1:7). Unfortunately, we live in the era of big government. Big government thrives on a crisis. A crisis real or perceived, is always an excuse for the expansion of government. Think about all the government wars on this or that. How has the war on poverty worked out? According to Fox News, over, the last 50 years, the government spent more than $16 trillion to fight poverty with no success. What about the war on cancer? And, the war on obesity? How are the pro-big-government, i.e., public schools performing?
Some argue that we should keep present drug laws in place, because if it saves just one life, it is worth it. Really? If that is a workable standard, let’s save 50 thousand lives a year by reducing the national speed limit to 5 mile per hour. Not only would that save thousands of lives, it would also prevent many thousands of injuries. We could also ban alcohol and cigarettes because that would save thousands of lives.
Most people will understand that we could save lives using bans like this. If cars were banned, there would be no automobile deaths. If the first example of reducing the speed limit to 5 miles per hour were implemented, the economy would collapse as commerce would come to a standstill. The second example has already been tried via a constitutional amendment which failed miserably. Society is willing to tolerate a certain amount of loss to keep goods and services moving with present speed limit laws.
The war on drugs has been colossal failure. Government involvement in education produces nothing but mediocrity and citizens devoid of any knowledge of biblical morality. Big government bureaucracies have a built in vested interest never to solve a problem. Once created, the bureaucracy will never put it self out of business by winning the war or solving the problem. There is a huge price paid for asking the fed gov for total protection, namely, the loss of freedom and the empowerment of the surveillance state. A little popular wisdom notes; “Everything the government touches, turns to crap.” – Ringo Starr
The answer is not the expansion of government, but expansion of Christ’s kingdom through the preaching of the gospel. When people are converted to Christ, and begin to mature in Christ, they learn principles of biblical living which is the solution and bulwark against the temptations of the flesh. Modern government programs are devoid of biblical principles, and doomed to fail. Christ tells us to build our house upon a rock or a strong foundation. We don’t need unending government wars to protect us, we need Christ. Just as in the old temperance movement and alcohol, modern day-Christians have made the same mistake of going down the failed path of prohibition. Do we really want a total regulatory state run by a bunch of parasitic busy-bodies?
Faulting thinking:
In the past, when hearing someone use passages in Genesis favorably regarding marijuana, I would respond by saying, what about Hemlock? I thought that this response took the wind out of the sails of those referring to the Genesis passages for a justification for using all plants for good uses including marijuana. Some simple research exposed my faulty thinking.
Well, what about Hemlock?
Hemlock to be sure is a poisonous plant. Hemlock is native to Europe and western Asia and was introduced into North America as an ornamental plant. Despite serious safety concerns, the leaves, root, and seeds of Hemlock are used to make medicine. It is used for breathing problems including bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma; and for painful conditions including teething in children, swollen and painful joints, and cramps.
Hemlock is also used for anxiety and mania. Other uses include treatment of spasms tumors, skin infections, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Sydenham’s chorea, and bladder infections. Hemlock has also been used to reverse strychnine poisoning. Hemlock is poisonous and dangerous, yet also beneficial.
What about Heroin? Is it good? Are there beneficial uses?
Heroin is a synthetic derivative of morphine. Heroin or diacetylmorphine is a strong analgesic pain killer medication. In the England and the Netherlands, heroin is available legally with proper prescription by an appropriate physician. The National Health Service (NHS) in Britain recommends giving it to people in extreme pain, people in surgery and women in labor because it works for pain relief in just several short minutes. It is a very effective pain killer. For patients with terminal conditions, it is merciful to help ease pain in end of life cases.
It follows that while a substance may be abused, that very same substance can have positive uses. I would argue that this is true of marijuana. It can be abused and used as an escape mechanism, or used for an increasing number of known beneficial uses. More on this in the next section.
According to the federal government, marijuana is a scheduled 1, highly addictive narcotic substance.
This is a bald face lie on the part of the fed gov. Marijuana is psychologically habit forming but not a physically addictive drug like legal nicotine found in cigarettes. My own experience with marijuana made it easy to quit, since I concluded that it was an anti-social experience and a vocabulary killer due to the unredeemed time, sitting around spaced-out. With nicotine in cigarettes, it took me over five years to win the battle against addition. Government is dependent on massive tax revenues collected on addictive dangerous nicotine products, no conflict of interest here.
2. An appeal to medical science:
For general health and well-being, I agree with the following two quotes:
“All that mankind needs for good health and healing is provided by God in nature… the challenge to science is to find it.” Paracelsus, the father of Pharmacology
“Let your food be your medicine, let your medicine be your food.” Hippocrates 320 BC
Paracelsus and Hippocrates are recognizing by God’s common grace that God created seed bearing herbs for food and subsequent health. The nutrition in plants and animals become the raw material building blocks for new cells. The key is using the rich phyto-nutrients and chemicals in plants and proteins and nutrients from the animal kingdom for the basic building blocks for optimal cellular makeup.
To briefly elaborate on this; one of the ways the structure and function of cells are determined is by the nature of nutrition supplied into the body. Plant chemicals and nutrition from food sources are the raw material that goes into the ongoing creation of new cellular structures. For this process to happen correctly you need to have vital essential nutrition in your body. Nutrition when ingested in the body is broken down into micro-nutrients which become the building blocks or parts used in the making of the cells in your body.
All of the recognized groups of nutrition are vital for improving cellular structure and function by supporting the physiological functions of repair, regeneration, and other immune defense mechanisms of the body. In some cases, special intake of plant chemicals are needed by the body. What I am saying is that the body repairs itself and nutrition provides the molecules necessary to accomplish this. When this happens, these are not a drug effects, it is normal physiology, in other words the biochemistry of the body is being changed nutritionally and because of this I am not claiming that nutritional products, herbals, or other alternative pant chemicals treat cure, or mitigate disease. Plant chemicals work in the body similar to nutritional intake. In short, when the body has the correct nutrition supplied the structure of the new cells will normal and they will function correctly.
Our goal should be to improve the Structure and Function of the cells in your body through essential nutrition, or particular intake of plant chemicals directed to assist the body with special needs. When your cell structure is normal, they will function correctly. Then, we we will not need to visit the doctor, or take medicine. We will be healthy.
“Science has shown that the body can truly heal itself. Drugs don’t heal nor do dietary supplements. Proper nutrition gives the body the resources to heal itself.” – Dr. Roger Williams (Nutrition and Disease 1971)
See: Plant Based Drugs and Medicines by Leslie Taylor, ND
http://www.rain-tree.com/plantdrugs.htm#.U0A6Fc_Qe70
See my article titled:
Bio-Chemical Individuality: towards an understanding of nutritional supplements.
http://www.undergroundnotes.com/nutrition.htm
A partial list of many research links available on the Internet:
To qualify to be on the jury you must watch:
Weed – Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN Special – Documentary
Dr Sanjay Gupta’s “WEED 2” Documentary
Israel sets a new standard for legal medical marijuana research, production and sales
By Simone Wilson
http://www.jewishjournal.com/cover_story/article/green_gold_israel_sets_a_new_standard_for_legal_medical_marijuana_reasearch%20
Legalizing marijuana in U.S. gets conservative supporter
By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo News
The Feds Finally Recognize the Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabis – 36 Years Too Late!
http://archive.lewrockwell.com/armentano-p/armentano-p50.1.html
The Endocannabinoid System: How cannabis oil works
Proof Cannabis cures cancer
Run From The Cure – Full Version
Progect CBD
http://projectcbd.org /
Cannabidiol as a novel inhibitor of Id-1 gene expression in aggressive
breast cancer cells.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18025276
GreenBridge Medical
http://www.greenbridgemed.com/
GW Pharmaceuticals
http://www.gwpharm.com/oncology.aspx
Why I changed my mind on weed By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/health/gupta-changed-mind-marijuana
Most people have heard of the phyto-chemical in marijuana called THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol) which gives the user a high. Few people have heard of the phyto-chemical CBD (cannabidiol). This
phyto-chemical is where much of the promising research is happening in the field of child-hood epilepsy, and other serious conditions with medical marijuana. After examining the the information presented at the above web presentations and sites, ask yourself, what substance has more potential health properties, cannabis, or alcohol?
Many desperate parents with epileptic children are flocking to Colorado to obtain a special strain of medical marijuana low in THC and high in CBD that is having dramatic results helping these children. It is called “Charlotte’s Web” and named after Charlotte who is featured in part one of Sanjay Gupta’s documentary. The Dr. Sanjay Gupta CNN Special that tells Charlotte’s story.
As the growing body of anecdotal stories of miraculous cures continue to rise, along with serious medical scientific research proving the value of the cannabis sativa plant for medical purposes, hopefully people will ask the government to end it’s failed war against a plant. Hopefully, the growing depository of anecdotal stories of miraculous cures lead to more research, including double blind placebo studies. If these studies continue to prove the effectiveness of cannabis to provide various levels of benefit for a variety of ailments, the moral thing to do is repeal federal law against cannabis.
3. An appeal to the Constitution
What about the U.S. Constitution and drugs?
The Tenth Amendment states the Constitution’s principle of federalism by providing that powers not granted to the federal government by the Constitution, nor prohibited to the States, are reserved to the States or the people.
Consider the following from the Tenth Amendment Center:
“Alcohol prohibition in the United States from 1919 to 1933 was supported by an actual constitutional amendment. Modern drug prohibition is not. This is an important point because, unless something has drastically changed, drug prohibition would also require a Constitutional Amendment, ratified by the States, to have any semblance of legitimacy. Drug prohibition is simply a federal power grab. It’s an end-run around the Constitutional Amendment process because such an amendment would never pass. So, while social conservatives may believe that it is perfectly reasonable for the Federal Government to impose harsh criminal penalties on what free citizens can put in their own bodies, our Founders clearly disagreed.
Ron Paul also made the point that granting the Federal Government the right to legislate what free people can and cannot put into their bodies when it comes to drug use would also give the Federal Government the right to tell us what we can and cannot eat, drink, or otherwise consume. So, the same Conservatives who decry Michelle Obama’s War on Trans-Fat unwittingly support such Nanny-State legislation by endorsing the War on Drugs.” See more at:
Cannabis sativa was known during the time of the Constitutional convention, why didn’t the framers ban it, if it is so evil? Freedom is a scary thing to some. Christians do not have to afraid of freedom. We are governed by God’s law and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We are able to make sound judgments such as the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians saying that all things are not expedient.
See Bad Trip: How the War Against Drugs is Destroying America by Joel J. Miller
http://www.amazon.com/s/190-2963981-1262910?ie=UTF8&index=blended&keywords=Bad%20Trip&link_code=qs&tag=undergroundnot0f
Joel Miller is a Christian who makes a powerful case for his thesis in his thought provoking book. The book is endorsed by Fox News senior legal analyst, Judge Andrew Napolitano.
To End the War On Drugs by Dean Becker
This book features the thoughts of 115 experts on the subject of drug policy. Included are the words of scientists, doctors, cops, wardens, prosecutors, politicians, authors, prisoners, patients, pastors, pot providers and more. 340 pages of unvarnished truth that will help bring an end to this century of lies.
http://endthedrugwar.us/
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
http://www.leap.cc/
Christians Against Prohibition “Legalizing Doesn’t Mean Proselytizing”
https://christiansagainstprohibition.org/
As seen from the valuable information at the above two sites, prohibition has failed, and can never possibly work. Marijuana is illegal, yet it is readily available everywhere. What been accomplished by the fed gov war on drugs? Nothing, but loss of civil freedom and the empowerment of the surveillance state and corruption of the courts and law enforcement. If you do not believe there has been a corruption of law enforcement, you are living on a different planet. How many innocent people have been killed by militarized swat teams in no-knock drug raids at the wrong address?
The unintended consequences from modern prohibition of marijuana has empowered the violent Mexican drug cartels that make Al Capone and his boys look like pikers. Capone and the Mexican cartels were and are business men who are forced to operate outside of the law. They cannot settle their disputes in court, so they settle them with violence. How many people have died from an over dose of cannabis sativa? Can you cite a number? In contrast, how many Mexican citizens have been murdered by the drug cartels, which are the result of this modern day debacle of prohibition against a plant? Literally thousands of Mexican citizens have died because of an UN-constitutional failed drug war.
As previously noted; over 50 thousand people die in automobile accidents every year? To put things in another perspective, every year over 100 thousand people die from properly prescribed prescription drugs, and many more injured in medial malpractice cases. Around 50,000 people die each year from alcohol poisoning and related problems like cirrhosis of the liver. Similarly, more than 400,000 deaths each year are attributed to tobacco smoking. By comparison, marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose. It is a statistically insignificant number. Unfortunately, some people who abuse alcohol and drugs will become dependent and injure themselves. As scary as freedom is to some people, a nanny state is not the answer.
The reader should consider the following articles by conservative Christian columnist Michelle Malkin to understand freedom versus governmental control:
My trip to the pot shop by Michelle Malkin
http://michellemalkin.com/?p=154804
Hypocrisy Abounds Among Foes Of Medical Marijuana by Michelle Malkin
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19980922&slug=2773371
Liberty Is Biggest Loser In Nation’s War On Drugs by Michelle Malkin
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970729&slug=2551904
4. An appeal to entrepreneurial-ship.
The many, many commercial uses for hemp may be quite a surprise. Consider just a few of the many websites that highlight the commercial uses for hemp:
Hemp: A New Crop with New Uses for North America
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-284.html
General Hemp Information, Uses, Facts
http://hempbasics.com/shop/hemp-information
Environmental and Economic Benefits of Hemp
http://www.nemeton.com/static/nemeton/axis-mutatis/hemp.html
Industrial Use
http://norml.org/marijuana/industrial
Perfect Plant? 7 Great Uses For Industrial Hemp
1. Clothing; 2. Food & Beverages; 3. Paper; 4. Building Supplies; 5. Plastics; 6. Fuel; and 7. Chemical Cleanup. See more at:
http://www.treehugger.com/environmental-policy/perfect-plant-7-great-uses-for-industrial-hemp.html
In conclusion, consider these words of wisdom:
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” – Ronald Reagan
Mr. Kettler is the owner of http://www.Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read.
The Religion That Started in a Hat 