Is Medical Marijuana A Violation Of The Latter-Day Saints Word Of Wisdom Health Code?

Update February 22nd, 2012: I have learned that a mission president has instructed missionaries in his district NOT to baptize those who use medical marijuana; this can be considered an official Church position. Read updated post HERE.

Because the Word of Wisdom was discussed at the just-concluded 181st Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, discussion has naturally spread to the LDS Bloggernacle. On Grace for Grace, the need to move beyond the "accountable" part of the Word of Wisdom and to consider other aspects, such as the use of wholesome herbs, fruits, grains, and the sparing consumption of meat for overall dietary management to combat and prevent obesity, is discussed. Even before the conference, Jeff Lindsay was also discussing this expanded application on Mormanity.

The "accountable" part of the Word of Wisdom is that part that affects temple worthiness as well as other specific forms of worthiness. The substances specifically and repeatedly identified by Church leadership as impacting temple worthiness are coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Consequently, if one refrains from using those substances, one can truthfully answer Yes when asked if he or she abides by the Word of Wisdom during a worthiness interview.

Marijuana is generally considered a recreational drug. But what about medical marijuana? Medical marijuana has become somewhat popularized as a pain management tool for those suffering from terminal or chronic diseases. Some jurisdictions have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana and prescribing authorized means of procurement. But this alone may not guarantee that one will be certified as "temple-worthy".

A casual web search did not reveal any official Church pronouncements about medical marijuana. However, The Seer Stone discussed the issue in December 2009. One commenter indicated that a published lesson plan from the Gospel Doctrine manual would tend to support the contention that medical marijuana would be no barrier to temple access, citing this passage: "Explain that in addition to these substances, we should not a) Use any substance that contains illegal drugs, b) Use any other habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician c) Misuse prescription and other drugs." But another commenter opined that "any substance that by its very structure has addictive properties - these would qualify as being against the Word of Wisdom - regardless of legal status", although this person also stated that "we need to replace fear based prohibition laws and the drug war with education and objective understanding of the correct uses and benefits and dangers associated with all of God's gifts".

A blogger on Times and Seasons also suggested that the use of medical marijuana might not be inconsistent with the letter or the spirit of the Word of Wisdom back in January 2004, so long as it is legal.

At this point, it would be useful to remind readers once again that I do NOT speak authoritatively for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; my opinions are basically my best interpretation of Church doctrine. But what concerns me is that a Church member might begin using medical marijuana in good faith that it is a therapeutic susbstance, then go into a temple worthiness interview and get blindsided by an "iron-rod" bishop and denied a temple recommend based upon an honest interpretational dispute. While most bishops are flexible, some are "iron-rodders"; perfection is not a prerequisite to be called as a bishop.

My advice to Latter-day Saints who are or want to become temple-worthy and who are considering the use of medical marijuana:

(1). Ensure it's legal and obtained only by an officially-certified provider. This means there must be a law at some level, either local, county, or state, permitting medical marijuana. It also must be obtained through a physician or any other provider officially certified by the jurisdiction.

(2). Seek personal inspiration or revelation from the Lord through the Holy Spirit. All LDS members have a right, and indeed are formally commissioned upon confirmation as members, to receive the Holy Ghost.

(3). Discuss it with the bishop or stake president in advance; they are the ones who determine temple worthiness and Church members have a right to know in advance whether any proposed course of action would impinge upon temple worthiness.

If a bishop or a stake president has no problem with it, then it's not a problem.