Reform of the nations woeful drug enforcement policies seem to be getting a boost from the faith community, especially in the area of medical marijuana use and mere possession by adults. In neighboring Nevada, religious leaders have launched a bold effort to legalize, then regulate marijuana. Reform of the nations woeful drug enforcement policies seem to be getting a boost from the faith community, especially in the area of medical marijuana use and mere possession by adults. In neighboring Nevada, religious leaders have launched a bold effort to legalize, then regulate marijuana. Pastors of many mainline Protestant churches, rabbis and even a nun 33 people in all have signed on with support for a faith resolution for marijuana regulation . It states that marijuana use and abuse should be addressed primarily by medical and mental health professionals, educators, families and religious communities, with the role of the criminal justice system limited to instances in which a marijuana users behavior threatens the health and safety of others.The current policy using punishment to control marijuana use has not reduced marijuana abuse or related harms, but has instead resulted in excessive and unjust punishments, widespread disregard for the rule of law and an out-of-control distribution system run by dangerous criminals intent on spreading its use to youth and other vulnerable segments of the population, the resolution says.The clergy mince no words: Adults should not be arrested or locked up for consuming marijuana. They should be able to obtain it from a legally regulated market instead of the criminal market. Actions that endanger or harm others, such as driving while under the influence of marijuana, should remain a crime, the resolve. In particular providing marijuana to minors should continue to be criminalized. In other words, you can substitute marijuana for beer and liquor, and its about the same story. Folks with the Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative, whose slogan is compassion, not coercion, offer a long litany of reasons why this particular battle in the war on drugs needs a change in tactics. When something is not working, we, as a society, must have the courage to try something different, said a retired Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor from Laughlin, Nev., the Rev. Jerry Pruess. He said the nation had the courage to end the Prohibition experiment when it failed and was doing more harm than good. Even the most conservative among us do not advocate that we return to that disastrous policy which made criminal gangs rich and wreaked havoc on our streets.A Southern Baptist pastor from Reno, the Rev. William Cobb, said he doesnt believe it wise for anyone to use marijuana. Drugs ruin enough lives, he said. But we dont need our laws ruining more lives. If there has to be market in marijuana, Id rather it be regulated with sensible safeguards than run by violent gangs and dangerous drug dealers.Last June, Beliefnet conducted a poll on the Internet about change in marijuana laws: Do you believe in the legalization of marijuana? There was at least 92 percent support for at least medical marijuana. Seventy percent said for both medical and recreational use and 22 percent for certain medical conditions and with a doctors prescription. Just 7 percent said no way. Those who go onto Beliefnet are typically spiritually inclined people.Eleven states allow medical marijuana without prosecution, including California, Nevada and Colorado. Arizona voters once OKd its use, but the Legislature changed rules and advocates have never been able to get anything permanent. In June, the Presbyterian Church (USA) joined with the United Methodist Church, the Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalist Association and Progressive National Baptist Convention in support of medical marijuana. These Nevada pastors, along with the Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative (www.idpi.us) surely are intent on taking advantage of the public opinion and reality to press for a saner policy in decriminalization and letting adults use one more thing provided in nature. Lawmakers should take note.

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