A BIBLE STUDY CONCERNING A GOD-GIVEN PLANT MARIJUANA.

Rather than rely on a single text and pretend to defend it as the one true Bible, two different, widely available, and respected Bibles are used to show that the conclusions reached are not a fluke of some spurious translation.

The selection of these versions is arbitrary. Any scholarly study/chain link Bible can be used to reach exactly the same conclusions. These Bible translations were separated by 76 years of intense scholarly research and produced by two independent groups. The two Bibles used for this study are:
The Authorized (King James) Version. Using The Scofield Reference Bible, Copyright 1900,1917 by the Oxford University Press.
The New American Standard Translation. Using the Ryrie Study Bible, Copyright 1976, 1978 by The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.

Old and New Testament verses are used to show continuity in God's treatment of marijuana. God's mind has not changed.

Primary Old Testament verse is Genesis 1:29. This verse will show us God's intent for all seed-bearing plants, which includes marijuana. Primary New Testament verses are 1 Timothy 4:1-4. These verses show God's contempt and condemnation for those people who are opposed to marijuana in any way.

It is appropriate for us to review these verses in their entirety. For convenience they are reproduced here:

Genesis 1:29. The New American Standard Translation.
Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you."

Genesis 1:29. The Authorized Version.
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

1 Timothy 4:1-4. The New American Standard Translation.
4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
4:3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude;

1 Timothy 4:1-4. The Authorized Version.
4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
4:3 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.
4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

The Bible speaks for itself. It clearly says that God created marijuana for our use and says terrible things about those who seek to command abstinence or advocate abstaining from plants which God has created. Criminal sanctions command abstinence and are extreme examples of advocating abstinence.

Let's step back for a moment and consider several reasonable questions as to whether or not these verses apply to the current situation.

Does Genesis 1:29 apply?

Yes. It reveals God's will for all seed-bearing plants. Marijuana is a seed-bearing plant. This is so important that God put it in the very first chapter of the very first book of the Bible.

Do 1Timothy 4:1-4 apply?

Yes. 1 Tim 4:1 Tells us that these verses are a prediction of future events that will happen in later times. Since 1 Timothy was written about two thousand years ago we are certainly living at a later time. (It is beyond the focus of this study, but many Bible students consider this to also be an end times prophecy. If this is so, it may mean that false teachers are running out of time to repent.)

The linkage of these Old and New Testament passages is not out of context. At 1Tim 4:3 the Ryrie study Bible specifically links to Gen. 1:29. Closely observe that in the Authorized Version the word "meat" is used in both the New and Old testament verses, and that the word "food" is used in both passages in the New American Standard Translation. 1Tim4:3 inexorably locks these verses together.

FOOD a word in Gen1:29 worthy of amplification.

Biblically marijuana is a seed-bearing plant. Botanically marijuana it is a herbaceous annual plant. Botanically and scripturally marijuana is a herb, a food. It is one of the finest of foods. Of all the plants in the world the seed of marijuana is second in protein only to soy beans. Marijuana seeds are the only food that provides essential amino acids and essential fatty acids in the ratio that is optimal for the human body. Humans can and have survived in robust health by eating marijuana seeds. The oil that is pressed from the seed has more polyunsaturated essential fatty acids than any other known oil.

Due to the current ungodly prohibition eating marijuana is not economical, it is prohibitively expensive. If it could be legally grown in a garden, and it is easily grown in the poorest of soils, this God-given food and medicine would be readily available and inexpensive. Any hungry or sick and suffering person that could benefit from it would benefit from it without paying either the exorbitant prices caused by its illegality or caused by pharmaceutical company profits. Pharmaceutical companies have not been able to reproduce the divinely complex chemistry of this holy herb. Drug companies ask astronomical prices for a largely ineffective artificial substitute. Jesus said, "You can not serve God and mammon", (Mat 6:24). Mammon is money. The mammon in marijuana prohibition is greed and profit.

Notice, the only condition placed on the use of this God-given plant is that it be received with gratitude. 1 Tim 4:4 "For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude." If you would like to see grateful people, you will find them wherever marijuana has reduced pain, cured blindness, whose tumors have disappeared, whose depression is vanquished, or have just gathered in happiness to share each other's loving company. Jesus said; "by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another", (John 13:35). Jesus says it is OK to gather in large, loving groups.

Contrary to the contention, "it does not say it is OK to consume it (marijuana) anywhere in scripture". Again review 1Tim4:4. "For everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected." This says it is OK, it is good and is not to be rejected.

There are dozen's, if not hundred's, of references from prestigious scientific and medical researchers that prove this God given plant is good for you. Several marijuana cookbooks are in print. There is a considerable amount of additional information on its nutritional value. If you would like references to any of this material, it will be sent to you.

It's time to finish this study with a parting thought. Jesus said " You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free",(John 8:32). It is the intent of this study to assist our walk along the path of truth and freedom.