Cannabis, in many ways, is a religion of its own. We have music that sings its praises. The very image of the leaf is something that inspires awe. We look to it for healing. For millions, however, this sentiment is an unfortunate instance of worshiping the creation and not the Creator. People of faiths from Hinduism to Christianity hold marijuana in a special place. While a plant, it provides some pathway or invitation to experience things greater than ourselves. The idea of the religious use of cannabis undoubtedly conjures up images of the Rastafarian movement. But perhaps we need to consider the image of a Jewish priest anointing the head of someone with oil containing cannabis. Or, imagine a Tao temple in Han-era China filling with the smoke of cannabis incense, creating a pleasant euphoria for all present. These are images of some of the roles cannabis has played in religious practices. Although the tides of acceptance for cannabis are beginning to change, there is still a great deal of support for ongoing laws against cannabis cultivation and consumption. While this seems easy enough, many argue that refusing to allow a religious user of cannabis access to their sacrament is a violation of the 1st Amendment. Despite the fact that many people call marijuana a religious sacrament, it remains an illegal substance for that purpose. The debate has regained steam with the imprisonment of Eddy Lepp. The history, however, is too significant to ignore.
The foundation of Rastafarianism, Judeo-Christianity, does not explicitly preach the use of cannabis. In America, much prohibition support can be found in the so-called‚ ”Christian right.” Supporters often consider marijuana a drug and therefore a sin. But is it right to classify a plant alongside heroin or methamphetamine? If God created everything, it is logical that includes marijuana. In Genesis 1:29 God offers ‚”every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth‚” to us as food. Regardless of whether or not someone considers the act of smoking right or wrong, it is clear that marijuana is included, a great excuse to make a tray of brownies tonight. While the Bible never makes mention of cannabis by name, some scholars have argued that it is, in fact, referred to in the Bible. Polish anthropologist Sula Benet and Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan point out that the Hebrew word kaneh-bosem, an ingredient in the holy anointing oil in Hebrew texts, may be translated as cannabis. The word is often translated as “fragrant cane” or calamus. Hemp, of course, was utilized as an important source of rope and cloth. Additionally, some argue that the Tree of Life described in Genesis and Revelation is, in fact, a reference to cannabis. Revelation refers to the Tree of Life as a plant for the healing of the nations that gives its fruit each month.
Rastafarians take reverence of the herb to a new place, though. For Rastafarians, cannabis is a tool to help man experience Jah (the shortened name of the Hebrew God Yahweh) when used in times of prayer, meditation and scripture reading. Central to Rastafarian tradition is the reasoning, a gathering of members to pray and discuss important issues. Cannabis is seen as a method of looking through deception to find the truth. Before each session, a member prays and dedicates the chalice (traditional Rasta smoking device) or pipe to His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I. Cannabis consumption is not a requirement for members of the faith. This “holy herb” however, has the potential to allow users to understand things how they truly are. Iconic Rastafarian Bob Marley once said, “Herb is the healing of the nation, alcohol is the destruction.”
Cannabis has a long-lived place in Eastern religious traditions as well.
Hinduism calls on cannabis for a number of roles. According to Hindu tradition, cannabis takes three forms. The first, Bhang, is made up of the flowers and leaves at the top of the plant. These pieces are made into a beverage containing milk, ghee and spices and is then consumed. Ganja, known to many, refers to smoking the buds and leaves. Charas, or hashish, is the smoking of the resinous oils of cannabis. At festivals, the most common form of consumption is Bhang. Bhang is consumed by both Hindus and Sikhs. It is most often consumed during the festival of Holi. While the proper consumption of Bhang, one can hope to unite with Shiva or have sins cleansed, but the failure to treat the act without the reverence it deserves commits a sin. According to writings, the churning of the oceans created the elixir of life. Something was required to purify this elixir and from his own body, the god Shiva created cannabis to do just that. Another account says that when the elixir was poured on the ground, cannabis grew. Cannabis consumption is associated with worship of the deity Shiva, considered to love the plant. Devotees make offerings of Bhang to Shiva. Cannabis is not merely used as an offering, however. As a spiritual practice, Shaivite yogis smoke cannabis. The ash of cannabis is sometimes rubbed on the skin for cleansing.
For the Chinese, cannabis has been a prominent fixture for thousands of years. Historian Joseph Needham noted “the hallucinogenic properties of hemp were common knowledge in Chinese medical and Taoist circles for two millennia or more.” Cannabis was utilized as a strong medicine by the Chinese as far back as 100 CE. The Taoist religious use of cannabis did not arrive until the 4th century. Needham writes that during these times, Taoists added cannabis to their incense bowls and enjoyed the effects of the smoke within the temple. Additionally, writers talked at length about the ability of the cannabis user to command demons and summon immortals.
The legality of such use of cannabis is under scrutiny today. Although local and federal laws often prohibit the use of marijuana for any reason, religion is a protected personal freedom. The Constitution goes a step further, by protecting “the free exercise thereof” referring to one’s chosen faith. But, if The Constitution protects “free exercise” why is cannabis left in the dark? The imprisonment of Rev. Eddy Lepp called into question the validity of the government’s commitment to the free exercise of religion. To truly allow religion to be freely practiced, the government must allow for religious cannabis. It is common practice to allow children to drink wine in many communion settings, after all.
Perhaps the most troubling issue with the disregard for cannabis as a religious sacrament is the acceptance of other “sacred” plants.
A simple trip over to bouncingbearbotanicals.com provides users with an easy to navigate selection of psychedelics, hallucinogens and incense. With everything from mushrooms to cacti to salvia, Bouncing Bear is happy to provide religious flora to devotees the world over. Cactus can provide a strong hallucinogenic experience for users and has been used by Native Americans for centuries. The members of the Native American Church are granted access to a number of otherwise forbidden substances, such as peyote.
While we certainly hope for the legalization of marijuana, it seems ridiculous that those who wish to consume it as a part of their religious activity must be regarded as criminals. Although we are beginning to see the value in allowing the use of marijuana for the healing of physical and mental pain, lawmakers are neglecting those who use the herb as a part of their spiritual health. Cannabis has been used as a religious substance for centuries. Its place has been cemented in the cultures and practices of millions around the world and it is time for the US to truly uphold the 1st Amendment by not punishing those who choose to use cannabis to experience the Most High.
Tags: cannabis, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, rasta, religion
