GOD AND GANJA

There is no need to search the Bible for mention of cannabis or its use
to attack the prohibition of marijuana from a biblical perspective (Re:
Letters, "Rev. Pothead," March 15-21).

The seed-bearing plant we call marijuana has been in existence since the
third day of Creation, with God declaring it good. He then gave it to
man along with all the other seed-bearing plants and trees on the sixth
day, and declared it and them not only as good, but very good. Later in
Genesis, he also confirms that he gave all green plants to man for food
when he made his convenant with Noah.

While this may not coincide with the so-called knowledge that comes from
our modern day technology, let God be true and all men be liars. The
issue of how it is consumed is mere nit picking and the laws of
prohibition actually prevent it from being consumed in a more proper
manner. While it may be true there are no direct references to cannabis
in the Bible, we are told how we are to treat the people in the world
and each other, in regards to all things of issue. We are told not to
judge those in the world or those in Christ. The consumption of anything
falls under the category of debatable issues which we are specifically
instructed not to condemn.

Criminalizing cannabis use is undoubtedly evidence of judgement and
condemnation. The end does not justify the means. Not that the end could
be justified anyway. There is no earthly good that has been or ever will
be accomplished by supporting the laws that prohibit marijuana, that can
even begin to justify the earthly and eternal harm that has been done
and continues to be done. For those that will be held accountable, the
responsibility will be great.

Jennifer L.G. Wallace, ChristiansForCannabis.Com

Several misconceptions need be addressed which were raised by Jeremy
Erhart's letter about Rev. Pothead. First, according to references such
as Smith's Bible Dictionary, the Hebrew words "Kaneh" and "Bosem"
meaning aromatic reed, are found in Exodus 30:23, and refer to the
recipe for the Holy Anointing Oil of Israel. Kaneh Bosem is the Semitic
root origin of the word "Kannabus" (Greek) and "Cannabis" (Latin). The
rewriting of history to which Jeremy refers was actually done in 300 BC
when Cannabis was mistranslated from the Hebrew Kaneh Bosem to the Greek
meaning calamus. This recipe was revealed to Moses at the same time as
the Ten Commandments. In modern units of measure it calls for nearly 8
pounds of Cannabis, along with other spices, for its preparation.

This oil was used to anoint all of the ceremonial vestments of the
Hebrew tabernacle and the members of the Aaronic priesthood, as well as
prophets and kings. Someone whose hair was anointed with this oil in the
hot Sinai desert would contrast the earthly fragrances of desert nomads
and would automatically seem Œspecial'. Also the fat soluble THC in the
Cannabis would be absorbed through the scalp and "inspire" such an
individual, so blessedly anointed, with enhanced spiritual receptivity,
as is the effect of Cannabis. Anointing was extremely important to the
Hebrew ceremonial, so much so that the Greeks have a special term for
someone anointed-that term is "Christ," and in Hebrew that term is
Messiah.

As to the use of Cannabis in drug treatment, studies have shown that
Cannabis mitigates opiate addiction, with addicts needing less heroin
and less likely to OD. Prior to 1937 Cannabis was often used to
successfully treat alcohol addiction.

We pray that in the future, Jeremy may be less judgmental when
encountering faith-sons who take a different path through Jesus and to
the Father than he does.

Rev. Dennis Shields, The Religion of Jesus Church, Hawaii

Jeremy Erhart is incorrect in assuming that the anointing oil in Exodus
did not use cannabis. Etymologist Sara Benetowa of the Institute of
Anthropological Sciences in Warsaw discovered in 1936, the connection
between kaneh bosm in the Old Testament as the original Semitic Hebrew
origins of the word cannabis. Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1980
confirmed this information as correct. The five passages that
experienced the "missing" are Exodus 30:23; Song of Solomon 4:14; Isaiah
43:24; Jeremiah 6:20; & Ezekiel 27:19. Kaneh bosm was mis-translated
after the dark ages, where the Bible was prohibited by the Roman Empire.
So sometime before the King James Version (The Authorized Version) kaneh
bosm was included in the scripture. These five passages are where kaneh
bosm was mis-translated to cane or calamus or sweet cane or fragrant
cane or sweet smelling incense etc., depending on the translation. I
look forward to the day we can enjoy the "unauthorized version" of the
Bible in English. Isn't the Roman Empire the bunch that fed the
Christians to the lions? "For everything created by God is good, and
nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude."-1 Timothy
4:4.

I hope this will be helpful in bringing my fellow Christians closer
together in our walk with God.

Stan White, Dillon, Colo.

Jeremy Erhart, who closed off his letter to the editor condemning Roger
Christie with a Bible quote, is quite correct. The Bible makes no
reference to cannabis. However there are a few Bible quotes that Jeremy
could relate to the "drug problem." "The truth shall set you free" said
Jesus Christ. Belief in drug and other addictions in America is eerily
similar to belief in voodoo in Haiti. "Dangerous drugs" is a political
construct.

Chemicals we label as drugs are inanimate objects and are therefore
dangerous to no one. Javex bleach, ammonia and diesel fuel as well as
many household and garden chemicals are by far more harmful than drugs,
yet they are available at the corner store. The theory of addiction has
never been proven. I challenge Mr. Erhart or any other believer to write
in with the name of who proved the theory of addiction and what year it
was proven in.

Addictions serve the purpose of socially stigmatizing persons culturally
defined as using the wrong social drugs. Drugs have exactly the same
supernatural forces of allurement as voodoo-none.

Man has free will. Drug use is a choice, and it can be considered as a
sin. However, the law goes beyond the bounds of reason by turning vice
to crime. As well respected American jurist Lysander Spooner wrote in
his classic essay, "in vice, the very essence of crime, intending harm
to another person or their property-is wanting." Validation of self by
invalidation of others is a common demonization method characteristic of
every scapegoat persecution.

Restore our natural right to drugs. It is a right owned by mankind since
time began. Ceremonial drug use is as old as mankind itself. The idea
that it ought to be stamped out is amoral. I would suggest for you
Jeremy, a return to the classic virtues of St. Thomas: temperance,
prudence, justice and fortitude. The drug war fails every one of those
ideals. "It's not what enters into a man that defiles him, but what
comes out of a man's mouth is what defiles him," said Jesus Christ.

Chris Buors, Winnipeg, Manitoba