Britannica
Sources used in this answer
- drug cult - Hemp , mushrooms, cacti, and their derivatives
- drug cult - History of drug use in religion
- Medical marijuana - 30 - Jesus allegedly uses anointing oil made with cannabis
- Medical marijuana - 1450 BC - Book of Exodus references holy anointing oil made from cannabis
- Medical marijuana - September 2008 - Two pounds of cannabis found buried in 2,700-year-old Chinese tomb
- Rastafari
- Rastafarianism
- Medical marijuana - 1000 BC - Bhang, a drink of cannabis and milk, is used in India as an anesthetic
Where has Cannabis sativa been used in religious practices?
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Cannabis sativa has been utilized in religious and ritualistic practices across various cultures and historical periods. Its use is documented in the following contexts:
- Rastafari: In this movement, which began in Jamaica in the 1930s, the smoking of ganja (marijuana) is a religious ritual used to facilitate "itation," or meditation, with Jah.12
- India and Africa: Cannabis sativa is widely recognized for its use in religious practices in India and Africa. In India, historical records note the use of bhang, a drink made from cannabis and milk, which has served both medicinal and ritualistic purposes.34
- Ancient Cultures: Archaeological evidence suggests the ceremonial use of cannabis among the Scythians (5th to 2nd century BCE), as indicated by censers found in the Altai Mountains. Additionally, a 2,700-year-old tomb in China contained a large cache of cannabis, likely used by a shaman for divination or as a psychoactive agent.56
- Biblical Interpretations: Some proponents argue that cannabis, referred to as kaneh-bosem, was a component of the holy anointing oil described in the Book of Exodus and was used by Jesus and his disciples for visionary and healing purposes.78