(Lifeway Research) As more Americans have access to legal marijuana, most U.S. Protestant pastors remain opposed to its use and legalization.
In November 2020, five states approved marijuana legalization measures, including Mississippi, which became the first Southern state to approve medical marijuana. Now, 36 states have legalized it for medicinal purposes, including 15 states that have fully legalized adult marijuana use, according to CNN.
Among Protestant pastors, however, few believe marijuana use should be legal nationwide. According to a study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, fewer than 1 in 5 pastors (18%) say it should be legalized throughout the country for any purpose. More than 3 in 4 pastors (76%) disagree, including 59% who disagree strongly. Few (6%) are not sure.
“There are about as many opinions on marijuana as there are ways to consume it,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “When asked about legalizing all such uses, the majority of pastors are strongly opposed.”