Who Doesn’t Like to Have Fun?

By: Bentley Hill

I remember being raised in the country and always looking for fun things to do, like swimming in the creek or chasing coons through the woods. There was always an adventure waiting; sometimes we just had to look for it. The same is true now that we are adults. We still like to have fun and are always looking for recreational activities. These might include hunting, fishing, sports, and other hobbies. However, in just a few weeks, the voters of Oklahoma will be introduced to a new idea—recreational marijuana.

Oklahoma has already passed the use of medical marijuana, and now State Question 820 on the March 7^th ballot will ask Oklahomans if they would like to embrace recreational marijuana. With the opioid crisis in our country already claiming the lives of 130 people every day (HRSA November 1, 2020 statistics), the last thing we need is another mind-controlling influence introduced into our lives. A recent article in the Baptist Messenger stated several other reasons why we should vote no on State Question 820.

Recreational marijuana creates easy access to a mind-altering, addictive

substance that has proven to have adverse effects on the users, their families, and entire communities.

This state measure comes with empty promises and disguised consequences.

Today’s marijuana is dangerously enhanced.

To approve recreational marijuana means removing important legal barriers between the people of this state and the trafficking of these addictive drugs.

The long-term effect of this measure on our hospitals and education system could be devastating. I Peter 5:8 tells us to “be

sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” As believers, the controlling factor in our life should be the Holy Spirit. Recreational marijuana seems to offer an intentional way of fogging the mind, thereby limiting the influence of the Holy Spirit.

In Oklahoma, we are blessed with mountains and lakes, sporting events and other types of recreation. We certainly don’t need recreational marijuana to have fun, and it doesn’t seem like something that will add to the quality of our lives. March 7^th is quickly approaching, and it is easy to see that we have more reasons to vote No on State Question 820 than Yes.