The use of marijuana in religion dates back to the
second millennium B.C. and continues still today.
In the past, ancient Chinese belief systems, the
Scythian people group of Central Asia, ancient
Germanic paganism, and Hinduism, all used
marijuana for religious reasons. The Jamaican-
born Rastafari movement is the most well-known
modern religion that uses marijuana for spiritual
purposes.


Rastafarism
The religion most widely associated with marijuana
today is Rastafari. Many devotees believe
marijuana is the Tree of Life mentioned in Genesis,
the first book of the Bible. Many followers also
believe that marijuana aids in the worship of God,
Bible study, and meditation. Although not all
adherents use marijuana, most believe it will bring
a person closer to God.


Chinese Religion
Ancient Chinese medical texts from 100 A.D.
recommend marijuana for medical purposes, but
they also teach that if it's consumed over a long
period of time, the user will develop the ability to
speak to spirits. An 8th century book on nutrition
called Shiliao corroborates this belief. The text
prescribes consuming marijuana on a daily basis
for one's general health; however, if one desires to
commune with spirits then it's recommended it
should be consumed for 100 consecutive days.
Some ancient Taoists texts mention marijuana
being burned in religious censors. The Shangqing ,
an ancient Taoist Scripture, was reportedly
revealed to its author, Yang Xi, aided by his use of
marijuana. A follower named Tao Hongjing, a
commentator on the Shangqing , taught that if one
consumed marijuana with ginseng it would enable
the user to see the future.


The Scythians
The Greek historian Herodotus (484-425 B.C.)
wrote that the Scythians, an ancient nomadic
people group in the geographical proximity of
modern-day Iran, whose religious beliefs included
mythology and horse sacrifice, used marijuana in
sacred ceremonies.
[T]hey make a booth by fixing in the ground three
sticks inclined towards one another, and stretching
around them woollen felts, which they arrange so
as to fit as close as possible: inside the booth a
dish is placed upon the ground, into which they
put a number of red-hot stones, and then add
some hemp-seed. … The Scythians, as I said, take
some of this hemp-seed, and, creeping under the
felt coverings, throw it upon the red-hot stones;
immediately it smokes, and gives out such a
vapour as no Grecian vapour-bath can exceed; the
Scyths, delighted, shout for joy, and this vapour
serves them instead of a water-bath; for they
never by any chance wash their bodies with water.
(The Histories, 4.75)
It is believed that what Herodotus called the
"hemp-seed" was the flowering top of the cannabis
plant. The Scythians also used marijuana to induce
trance-like spiritual experiences and for divination.


Hinduism
Marijuana was used in Hinduism as far back as the
second millennium B.C. It was used in the worship
of the Hindu deity, Shiva. Marijuana has also been
used by yogis to enhance their religious
experience and during the spring festival, Holi.
Furthermore, Bhang, a drink that contains
marijuana flowers, is believed to cleanse a user of
their sins, help them become one with Shiva, and
avoid hell.


Ancient Germanic Paganism
Ancient Germanic Paganism associated marijuana
with the Norse love goddess, Freya. It was believed
that Freya lived in the plant's flowers, so
consuming them meant being filled with divinity.
The Celts may have also used marijuana as
evidence of it has been found where the people
group once resided.