A Pastoral Response to Legalized Cannabis
Many questions have been raised since the Cannabis Act was implemented in Canada on October 17, 2018 (refer to the legalization and regulation of cannabis for more details). However, the predominant question is this: how can pastors and church leaders provide leadership and care to people who are wondering about the use of non-medical cannabis?
In response, MinistryLift has produced a video featuring Dr. Brian Cooper (MB Seminary) and Pastor Matthew Price (North Langley Community Church). This round-table discussion touches on several topics that pastors are likely facing. As you watch this video and consider its implications, feel free to reply with a question or thought in the comment section below (you can also submit a comment via email).
Additional resources
- Round Table Discussion – Legalized Marijuana – a resource created by Chis Walker, Discipleship Pastor at Meadow Brook Church (Leamington, ON). This resource was created to give people time to read, reflect, and pray about the topic in advance of their church’s round-table discussion. The content helped people feel more aware of the relevant Scriptures, issues, and questions that needed to be considered. Meadow Brook’s hope and prayer is for other churches to use this resource to prepare for similar conversations that will allow them to experience peaceful discussions filled with respect and thoughtfulness!
- What You Need to Know About Cannabis – the Government of Canada outlines the dangerous health effects of cannabis, specifically to those under the age of 25.
- Chemical Substances in Cannabis – an explanation of how THC and CBD impact a person’s brain; the table on this page lists different forms of cannabis and their potency.
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