Is Marijuana Against the Word of Wisdom?

The Word of Wisdom, a health law revealed to Joseph Smith in 1833, provides guidance on substances beneficial for our bodies and those we should avoid. While marijuana wasn’t widely used in the United States when this revelation was received, Church leaders have since addressed its use in relation to this health code.

Church Stance on Marijuana

Church leaders have clarified that recreational use of marijuana contradicts the Word of Wisdom. The August 2019 New Era article “Vaping, Coffee, Tea, and Marijuana” explains that despite its legality in some areas, marijuana is habit-forming and should be avoided except under proper medical supervision. This guidance was reinforced in an official Statement on the Word of Wisdom.

Medical Marijuana Guidelines

The Church’s General Handbook provides specific guidelines on medical marijuana use:

The Church opposes the use of marijuana for non-medical purposes. See 38.7.14.

However, marijuana may be used for medicinal purposes when the following conditions are met:

• The use is determined to be medically necessary by a licensed physician or another legally approved medical provider.
• The person follows the dosage and mode of administration from the physician or other authorized medical provider. The Church does not approve of vaping marijuana unless the medical provider has authorized it based on medical necessity.

The Church does not approve of smoking marijuana, including for medical purposes.

For more information, refer to the “Word of Wisdom and Healthy Practices” section in the General Handbook.

By adhering to these guidelines, members can navigate the complex issues surrounding marijuana use while staying true to the principles of the Word of Wisdom.