I agree with keeping moderation in what we do. Even too much water can have negative effects on the body. Cannabis is approached in a negative light because of how it has been portrayed in movies, shows, and t.v. in general. As for the addiction of cannabis, it is arguably psychological. The cannabis plant is only expensive because it is illegal, otherwise you can grow it yourself (hardly a dent in your pocket).

To me it seems the pharmaceutical industry pumped a lot of it's resources to keep marijuana off the shelves and paint it in a negative light. In fact, evidence shows, many studies done in the past on marijuana were funded by companies that had major ties with the pharmaceutical industry or were directly funded by them. What I find odd is that as the cannabis plant is slowly being legalized throughout the U.S., newer studies are contradicting old ones. That is not to say that the use of cannabis is the same as it was in the past.

The link you posted says "Frequent marijuana use can have a significant negative effect on the brains of teenagers and young adults." And also, "People who have become addicted to marijuana can lose an average of six IQ points by adulthood." My question is, did this study take into account environmental, physical, and personal factors? Factors such as, were the subjects categorized according to salary/income, location, and were they mentally or physically stable to begin with? Most teens and young adults who turn to drugs (including cannabis) are doing so because they are battling depression and other difficulties. I suppose I'll look into that myself and get back to you. Ultimately the study admits that those affected negatively by regular use of cannabis were in the minority and even then it relies on "maybe."

Keep in mind that your friends and Man of Faiths family member being affected negatively would be the minority according to your study. Here in the States, majority of the people I know (regardless of their position in society) use cannabis regularly. Most of them are extremely ambitious, successful, and have 4 year college degrees (including myself). It's as if those who've never tried cannabis know someone who has been affected negatively by it and most of those who've even tried it once speak positively about it.

I respect that you don't support cannabis, and to be quite honest, nor do I. I don't support the cannabis plant because the plant is being abused in today's society. It is being used with the wrong intentions (leading to psychological addiction).

I wasn't going to reply to this thread till tomorrow because I am extremely busy, but I had to reply today to keep the thread alive. Because I'm in a rush I was not able to post more studies and evidence backing a few of my claims in this response. I will reply with many more links either tonight, or tomorrow when I have time Inshallah. Bare with me.

Thank you Israfeel, pleasure to meet you as well!

My understanding of Islam wouldn't fit in just one post, but I will summarize it the best I can. I wouldn't call myself a Qur'anist because I do agree with much of the Qur'anist viewpoint, but I also found many things I do not agree with. As for Sunni Islam, after initially disagreeing with most of it due to the opinions and points given on this site, I am slowly learning that there is indeed some truth to many Hadiths (and Sunni reasoning based on these Hadiths).

Quite simply, it is the mixture of culture and religion I disagree with. I will absolutely consider your answers (I'd be ignorant to dismiss differing viewpoints without consideration)!

Salaam everyone!

I would like to start off by saying I am aware that this topic has been discussed several times here on free-minds. I have used the search engine and read several threads regarding marijuana. After reading the past discussions regarding marijuana here on free-minds, I feel that the community is still divided and I'm still on the fence. I made this thread in the hopes to find the true verdict on marijuana in the Qur'an. As a reminder, I am not well versed in the Qur'an (which is also why I made this thread). Lastly, I am a marijuana user myself. I do not use marijuana as often as most (I vaporize it once a week). With that said, I will try and tackle as many points as I can in this opening post.

I'd like to start off by attempting to address a verse that is constantly used to provide evidence that the Qur'an prohibits marijuana. The verse in question is (2219). The argument is that marijuana is an intoxicant and does more harm than good. In recent years, there have been countless studies proving that the benefits of marijuana completely outweigh it's harm. Here's just one link http//www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4?op=1 which shows the benefits of marijuana (there are links within the link to the actual studies for ea. of the benefits).

As for "intoxicant," which is an agent that "intoxicates," is up for debate. Here are two definitions of intoxicate from both dictionary.com and Oxfords dictionary.

dictionary.com
verb (used with object), intoxicated, intoxicating.

1. to affect temporarily with diminished physical and mental control by means of alcoholic liquor, a drug, or another substance, especially to excite or stupefy with liquor.

Oxfords dictionary
verb
(usually as adjective intoxicated)

1. (Of alcoholic drink or a drug) cause (someone) to lose control of their faculties or behavior.

Strictly speaking from 10 years experience of marijuana use, I've yet to lose physical or mental control. I even wonder if people who speak out against marijuana have ever even tried it or had a very rare unfortunate experience that made them assume it was because of the cannabis. Physically you don't lose any control what so ever. There is short term memory associated with the use of marijuana. However, the short term memory associated with marijuana has been found to be temporary (it only lasts as long as the high) and not everyone experiences it.

It is also claimed that marijuana users are more paranoid. To me this argument is simply false. The marijuana users who are paranoid are so because they are using what is currently illegal in their country/state. Where it is legal (in some countries/states) or completely hidden in the privacy of ones home, there is no paranoia.

I'd like to end this thread with a more detailed personal experience. Using marijuana has a profound effect on me. When I use marijuana, it MAY become more difficult for me to multi-task but my focus sky-rockets. The scope of my awareness expands as though I am sitting on a mountain and viewing the world from above. I see more clearly, I am more understanding, and I am much more creative. And all these effects are nothing like what is portrayed in movies. There are no visual effects, or sounds, or anything physical. The effects are more like positive feelings.

To the free-minds community, I would love to hear your thoughts and arguments after reading my thread. I am more than willing to accept my misunderstanding if provided with information that will clear things up. I have an exam to take in the morning, need some sleep. I will try and get back to this thread as soon as I can.

Peace,
Ares

Anyone know of any Qur'an only debates (besides Dr. Rashad Khalifa's)?

As-Salaam-Alaikum everyone, like many others I've been lurking for a few months. I have finally decided to make a profile in order to engage in the topics that are discussed here. I will try my best to restrain from giving my opinions because I am not qualified to speak on the subject of Islam. Instead, I am mostly here to ask questions and hope to find answers.

I am, however, grateful to have found this site. I recently lost my father and words cannot describe the pain. His passing led me to look harder and search for answers. In my search I came across Free-Minds. I can say that since I have found this site, my mind has been somewhat satisfied.

I thank those who do hard work for the layman in search of truth and everyone else who contributes/supports the search for the truth. Insh'Allah you will see me more often!