Believe it or not, the cannabis plant has connections to a surprising number of religious practices. From Hindu Shaivites to Muslim Sufis, and even possible ancestral uses within Judaism, marijuana has appeared in spiritual practices for literally millennia. But when it comes to uniting spirituality with cannabis, no other tradition compares to the Rastafari faith.
Born in Jamaica nearly a century ago, the Rastafari movement combines biblical beliefs, the ritual and spiritual use of ganja, and a strong Afrocentric and anti-colonial component. In this context, cannabis is used as a tool for spiritual and devotional growth, although not all Rastafarians choose to partake. Medicinal, communal, and individual uses are also recognized within the faith.
