Review: Devoured by Cannabis

 

Douglas Wilson’s Devoured by Cannabis: Weed, Liberty, and Legalization is a gateway book.  (Pun intended.)

The question Wilson addresses in this book is whether cannabis should be legalized for recreational use.

Wilson begins by arguing that alcohol is not the same as cannabis (and other drugs) because alcohol is approved of, mandated, and recommended in the Scripture, whereas drugs are not.  Of course, not every use of alcohol is approved of by the Scripture – drunkenness is a sin (12).

Wilson states that another difference between alcohol and cannabis is that one can have a little alcohol and be fine – and its effects dissipate within a couple of hours.  However, it is not possible not to be deleteriously affected by cannabis (except for perhaps the most minimal amount) and that affect lasts for days interfering with the body’s function (13).

He argues that being drunk or stoned is incompatible with holiness (27).

Tobacco and cannabis are different because tobacco can be used without deleterious effect (35).

If one takes a libertarian view of using cannabis, the freedom use must exist alongside of an employer’s right to fire for use (53).  (Or the employer’s right to fire for use must remain, as per the First Amendment’s provision for freedom of association.)

Economically, he argues that legalization of cannabis would cost the taxpayer in damage while “stoned” and rehab clinics (59).

He argues that the science shows that cannabis use causes mental health problems in numerous people (61).  In fact, any use of cannabis is damaging to the body and mind (73).

While Wilson argues for the criminalization of cannabis use, he argues that possession of cannabis should be decriminalized.  The convicted of possession ought to be given the option of a fine or rehab – on an increasing scale depending on the number of convictions (88). And, the treatment centers would be private, not government run, so that the goal is the repair of the hearts and souls of the user (90).

Ultimately, the problem in one of sin, and the need of repentance – for all of humanity.  No one can ultimately be helped (do not read “cured”) without the intervention of God the Holy Spirit.  So, in working with drug users – and with all others – the presentation of the gospel must be foremost in our work.

I began by saying this is a gateway book.  What I mean by that is, as I began the book, I thought I knew what he was going to say and my response to it, but he took me up.  He stopped me and got me questioning the views I have held.

Specifically, I have two questions that I need to learn more about to better form a solid option on this issue:

First, is it true that it is impossible not to become impaired with any use of cannabis?

Second, is it true that use of cannabis causes or induces a significant percentage of mental illness?

If the answer to these is “yes,” I agree with him that the recreation use of cannabis must be illegal.

[This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com].