Amusing article from Reuters: Israel to Soothe Trauma with Marijuana – specifically for soldiers under stress. For a more serious take on drugs in Judaism, read this article by David Novak. As I recall, he demonstrates that most of the arguments in the teshuvot which prohibit taking drugs could equally be applied to smoking and drinking – neither one of which are as explicit prohibited.
(כִּי לֹא מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי מַחְשְׁבוֹתֵיכֶם וְלֹא דַרְכֵיכֶם דְּרָכָי (ישעיהו נה:ח
Lord, Get Me High
October 4, 2004 Culture, Jewish Law / Halakha
Regardless of one’s position on the issue of purportedly legitimate medical uses of otherwise illegal drugs, I do think it’s important to note that we’re not talking about garden-variety stress in this context. Chayalim in these circumstances may have debilitating physical injuries to boot, not to mention psychological traumas not readily comprehended by those of us fortunate to lack experience with indescribable carnage and rational fear of an imminent violent death.
Very Not Related — Doing what I should’ve done a long time ago.
I agree with Rabbi Novak but in an opposite direction. Alcohol, drugs and tobacco are all completely permissible. While a Jew should not put her/himself in immediate mortal danger or do things for the EXPLICIT purpose of harming him/herself, this does not perclude activities which have an ulterior motive, such as getting high, or having fun, and are not immediately or inherently fatal.
Otherwise we could equally ban sugar or high-carb foods.