Religious views on cannabis differ. They often depend on whether cannabis is used for medicine, recreation, or worship. Some Eastern traditions and Rastafari include it in religious practice, while many Abrahamic faiths separate medical use from recreational intoxication.

🕉️ Hinduism: A Sacred Plant
Cannabis is respected in some Hindu traditions and appears in religious texts and rituals.
• Scriptural honor: The Atharva Veda lists cannabis as one of five sacred plants and describes it as a source of happiness and freedom from anxiety.
• Link with Shiva: Tradition connects Lord Shiva with cannabis and says he found its calming effects during meditation.
• Ritual use: Some Sadhus use charas or ganja during meditation. During Holi and Shivratri, people may drink bhang, a milk-and-cannabis drink used as a religious offering.

🇯🇲 Rastafari: The Holy Herb
Rastafari calls cannabis ganja or the “holy herb” and places it at the center of some spiritual practices.
• Sacramental smoking: Cannabis is used during reasoning sessions and group worship, not simply for recreation.
• Spiritual purpose: Followers may believe it brings them closer to Jah, improves spiritual focus, clears the mind, and supports peace.

☪️ Islam: The Debate on Intoxication
Islamic law focuses on intoxicants, called khamr, and on protecting the mind.
• Recreational use: Most Islamic schools consider recreational cannabis haram because it changes awareness and judgment.
• Medical exceptions: Under the principle of necessity, many scholars allow doctor-prescribed medical cannabis when no effective alternative exists.

✝️ Christianity: Temperance and Compassion
Christianity has no single worldwide authority, so views differ.
• Recreational use: Many traditional denominations oppose it. The Catholic Church describes drug use as seriously wrong unless there is a strict medical reason. On Reddit’s r/religion community, some say cannabis is not directly mentioned in the Bible, while others say calls to stay sober rule out recreational intoxication.
• Medical use: Some Protestant groups, including the United Methodist Church and Presbyterian Church, support decriminalization or compassionate medical use.

Judaism: Medical vs. Recreational Use
Jewish law places strong importance on health and saving life, known as Pikuach Nefesh.
• Medical use: Many Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform rabbis allow or support medical cannabis for pain or illness.
• Recreational caution: Traditional authorities usually discourage recreational use because it may harm the body or help someone avoid moral and religious duties. Some progressive groups take a more flexible view.

☸️ Buddhism: The Path of Mindfulness
Buddhism emphasizes a clear mind as part of spiritual awakening.
• The Fifth Precept: Lay Buddhists are asked to avoid intoxicants that cause carelessness or cloud the mind. Recreational cannabis is therefore generally forbidden.
• Exceptions: Cannabis may be allowed when a doctor prescribes it as medicine.