Archive · 2024-09-30

Cannabis legalization is sweeping across the country. That’s a good thing. Long gone are the days when propaganda films like Reefer Madness had people convinced that one puff could drive a person to the brink of insanity. At last, everyday citizens as well as the world at large are recognizing the benefits of the cannabis plant for its healing and relaxation properties.  While many folks use cannabis solely for recreational use or to relieve their physical pain, there is a groundswell of interest in the connection between cannabis and spirituality. People are coming to understand that combining cannabis and meditation can actually increase mindfulness and improve overall mental health.  Are you curious about how to develop your own cannabis spiritual practices? Interested in weed and spirituality? Read on to explore the benefits and techniques of practicing meditation and mindfulness while high.

Marijuana and Spirituality

Weed spiritual use is nothing new. Cannabis spiritual practices have existed for thousands of years, with evidence from throughout history suggesting that combining cannabis and religion was common in a variety of cultures around the world. Some of the earliest records highlighting weed and spirituality come from Ancient China all the way back in 2800 BC, when Emperor Shen Nung, who’s regarded as the father of Chinese medicine, listed cannabis in his pharmacopeia. Following that, history is full of examples of sacred cannabis practices:
  • Archaeological digs in far western Chinese ancient caves uncovered medicinal kits of the early shamans that included pouches of cannabis buds alongside various ritualistic instruments that were used for healing.
  • The excavation of various grave sites, known as Kurgans, in the steppes of Russia revealed more proof of spirituality and cannabis from long-gone tribal cultures such as the Scythians, who spread all the way from Uzbekistan to the Ukraine.
  • Evidence in tombs dating back to as far as 2,000 BCE shows the usage of meditation and cannabis by the ancient Egyptians, who associated it with a goddess named Seshat who was believed to be associated with wisdom, writing and measurement. 
  • In India, a libation concocted from yogurt, various spices and cannabis called Bhang, a favorite beverage of Indra, the god of thunder and lightning. To this day, during the springtime festival of Holi, entire villages drink Bhang or eat edibles using cannabis and mindfulness as a ceremony, after which they run around joyfully, throwing dry pigments on each other until everyone is covered in a rainbow of color.
  • In South America, the Kaxinawa people of Brazil have always known how to use weed spiritually by ingesting it in the form of tea. This is an integral part of their shamanic rituals. 
In addition to a long and ancient history of spirituality and cannabis, cannabis maintains its status as a sacred herb in many modern traditions as well. Smoking weed and spirituality has always been central to the Rastafarian religion, which originated in Jamaica in the 1930s. In this tradition, cannabis is revered as a sacrament for ceremonies as well as personal meditation.

Combining Cannabis and Meditation

While life can sometimes be difficult and overwhelming, studies show that meditation can help combat anxiety and stress. One of the newest buzzwords these days is “entheogen,” which refers to psychoactive substances ingested to facilitate a mystical revelation or spiritual experience.  Entheogens are believed to expand the mind and reveal hidden truths about the universe as well as oneself. Whereas entheogens like LSD, mushrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, MDMA and the like are so long-lasting and strong that they require a commitment of time while you experience your “trip,” cannabis is an entheogen that alters consciousness in far more subtle ways. This means that while its effects can most definitely be used and directed toward spiritual work, it can be used daily if desired with no ill effects and with no mandatory need for a guide or shaman.  Whether combining THC or CBD and spirituality, you can follow in the footsteps of the ancient mystics to open the mind and facilitate divine communication. Some of the benefits of combining meditation with cannabis are:
  • Increased relaxation
  • Intensified sensory perception
  • Enhanced introspection
Mindfulness, which basically means to be fully present and consciously aware of one’s thoughts, feelings and sensations within the moment, is the goal of meditation. Because cannabis use can create an atmosphere for self-reflection and heightened awareness, which can potentially deepen the mindfulness experience, it is no wonder that spiritual practitioners are now, more than ever, wondering about the best cannabis to buy for spirituality and ceremony as well as meditation.

Explore Cannabis and Spirituality at CannaCon

When used with consciousness and intention, cannabis can be combined with meditation and mindfulness to offer a unique path for self-exploration and a deepened spiritual connection with the world around you. If you are looking to learn about cannabis and share space with like-minded people, there is truly no better place to do that than at a CannaCon expo. A CannaCon experience is unlike any other, offering dozens of speakers, hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees at the nation’s leading business-to-business cannabis conference.  The goal is to grow the cannabis industry through education on all things related to cannabis and CBD. With CannaCon events being held all over the US, there is bound to be one in a location that interests you, so don’t delay. Make a plan and get your tickets today for the B2B show that just might end up changing your life and bringing you closer to your divine true self.   This article was originally posted on July 24, 2023, and updated on September 30th, 2024.