Moderate Pot Smoking?

The use of marijuana is on the rise in America. According to a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, marijuana topped the list of substances that were used on a daily basis in 2025. Overall, the most popular drug is still alcohol. Almost 130 million people drank alcohol in the last month compared to about 44 million pot smokers. But in terms of daily use, the weed topped the list with over 21 million daily users compared to over 17 million daily drinkers. The research also revealed an increase in the use of both substances between the years 2021-2025. The most guilty age group was not teenagers. It was adults 26 years and older.

Some Christians argue that it is not a sin to drink alcohol in moderation—a beer or two or a glass of wine now and then. But what about smoking marijuana? If moderate drinking is acceptable for a Christian, then what about moderate marijuana use? If there is nothing wrong with having a beer or a glass of wine, then what is wrong with having a puff or two of a marijuana cigarette? “But marijuana is illegal,” some Christians respond. But its recreational use is not illegal in every state and in many other countries. The issue is not the law of man. It is the law of God. This is a moral matter more than a legal question.

The fact is that these two things—pot smoking in “moderation” and drinking in “moderation”—stand or fall together. A good number of Christians who defend social drinking have a hard time saying that the light, occasional use of marijuana is right. But to be consistent they must face this dilemma. Will they? Some Christians, especially older ones, don’t want to admit this consequence. Others, especially younger people, see the parallel and have no problem saying that they are equal. Those younger people may or may not have a moral objection to the use of marijuana, but they do see the connection.

Will Christians who argue for “moderate” drinking say that the “moderate” use of marijuana is in the realm of Christian liberty? Or will they point the finger at pot smokers while they hold a drink in their hand?

Solomon warned long ago, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly” (Prov. 23:31). If the Bible says not to look on it with desire and approval, then how can Christians say it is right to take that cup and drink it—or take a toke now and then?

Kerry

West End Church of Christ• August 9, 2026