The Columbia Valley Pioneer • 9
May 21, 2010
Smoking pot is not a victimless crime Dear Editor: I would like to address the two individuals whose letters appeared in The Pioneer on April 30th. Mr. Givens and Mr. White should really take a sober look at the world around them. I am not writing this letter from a Christian point of view, or from an anti-marijuana standpoint. I just don’t feel comfortable that views were expressed twisting the word of God and lacking in knowledge about our governing body to even grant an opinion. I am taking a moral stand, so to fight fire with fire let us begin. The fact that Mr. Givens uses the Bible to support his opinion – “punishing victimless crimes violates the standards of justice that God commands” – is misguided as he neglected to start from the beginning of that verse. Exodus 21:23 begins with, “If any harm follows . . .” Harm is not directed to any one person in this verse but indeed implies a victim. To declare marijuana as a victimless crime is ignorance at its best. People that I have loved have fallen victim to this “natural herb” or “God-given plant” as Mr. White refers to it. I am sure that God’s intent for cannabis was to use it for the hemp fibre and not to
inhale, just as rye was intended for bread and not for excess alcohol consumption. Many loved ones have succumbed to an addiction over which they no longer have control. Families of these individuals are victims crying over a son or daughter, father or mother who was once so full of energy, insight and life, and who is now altered, unmotivated and damaged by its use. This drug is in our schools, involving our youth and ultimately having an adverse effect on not only their futures but ours as well. It continues to victimize our schools, towns and communities. Okay, so there are no verses that talk directly about marijuana. Is that surprising? The only smoking that was going on at the time the Bible was written was caused by burning wood, houses, sacrifices and ultimately people (at the judgement). So smoking of cigarettes and marijuana are not mentioned in the Bible. Although the Bible does not address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mindaltering drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use of drugs in the book of Galatians: “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, en-
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vying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practise such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-21) To further address Mr. White on his views about the laws and how they are made, I feel that he is sadly misinformed. Regardless of religion or who makes the laws, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities . . .” (Romans 13:1). The legal status of marijuana in Canada is under dispute, but until that is settled in our Supreme Courts, the law is the law. One can debate until they are blue in the face that the law is biased or unjust, but the fact of the matter is the use, abuse and trafficking of marijuana is illegal and punishable under law. This is not a debate on the legalization of pot, or to ignore the many individuals who use marijuana for medicinal purposes. I could no longer stand by and ignore my own morals and values with regards to how these two individuals justified their beliefs on this issue. Laws and religion aside, we have a moral obligation to ourselves, our families and our communities.
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