Good evening, and welcome to all. Today, we gather to discuss a topic that has been a source of controversy, yet also a source of spiritual enlightenment for many cultures and religions across the world – cannabis.
Cannabis, often referred to as marijuana, has been used for spiritual and religious purposes in various cultures and religions across the world. The plant has been considered a holy or spiritual plant due to the altered state of consciousness brought on by its consumption.
Historically, in many different cultures and religions predating the United States or Christianity, the cannabis plant has been used as a spiritual and religious sacrament, much like the use of wine in Christianity. It has been used in Hinduism, Rastafarianism, and indigenous traditions in Asia, Africa, and elsewhere for spiritual practices for thousands of years. Cannabis has served as an entheogen, a chemical substance used in religious or spiritual contexts, in the Indian subcontinent since the Vedic period dating back to approximately 1500 BCE, and perhaps as far back as 2000 BCE.
In modern times, the emergence of an entirely new religious philosophy called cantheism signifies any and all attitudes towards the cannabis plant as a religious experience. It examines the inherent religious nature of human interaction with the cannabis plant. The First Church of Cannabis Inc. gained legal recognition in Indiana in 2015 following the passage of that state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Modern spiritual figures like Ram Dass openly acknowledge that the use of cannabis has allowed them to gain a more spiritual perspective and use the herb frequently for both its medicinal and mind-altering properties.
Today, cannabis is being combined with practices such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and there is a rise in semi-organized cannabis-based religions and churches, including the International Church of Cannabis in Colorado and The First Cannabis Church of Florida, and online portals such as United Church of Cannabis among others. A study found that spiritual motives for cannabis use may be widespread, with 66.1% of the sample reporting spiritual benefit from cannabis.
Cannabis has a long history of use in spiritual and religious contexts, and its significance continues in modern times through various religious and spiritual movements and practices. As we navigate our spiritual journeys, let us remember to approach all things, including cannabis, with an open mind and a respectful heart.
May peace be with you all.