Cannabis and Christianity: Scientific, Social, and Theological Reflections on THC and Christian Faith
Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith September 1, 2026 DOI: 10.56315/pscf9-26zhu (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | Argues that a Christian ethical perspective on THC use must integrate neurobiological, clinical, public health, and social evidence with theological and ethical frameworks, and that such an evaluation should distinguish among medical, recreational, and spiritual contexts. |
Abstract
With the legalization of cannabis and the proliferation of products containing its main psychoactive component, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the use of cannabis-associated psychoactive substances has moved from the margins to the mainstream and, in the case of recreational marijuana, involves products of increasing potency. This development raises several specific interdisciplinary questions, including how THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system to alter synaptic neurotransmission, what current clinical and public health evidence indicates regarding its risks and potential therapeutic applications, and how Christian theological and ethical frameworks may be applied to evaluate cannabis use across medical, recreational, and spiritual contexts. This article outlines the state of neurobiological, clinical, public health, and social research on THC and its effects, as well as prior Christian theological and ethical assessments of marijuana. Through the integration of scientific, societal, and theological perspectives, this article seeks to clarify a Christian ethical perspective on THC use for recreation, therapeutic, and spiritual purposes.