Religious Uses of Licit and Illicit Psychoactive Substances in a Branch of the Santo Daime Religion
Fieldwork in Religion – November 27, 2008
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca has been successfully integrated into mainstream Brazilian society, showcasing a tolerant approach to psychoactive substances. In contrast, the ritual cannabis use by Santo Daime religious groups faces ongoing challenges due to prohibitionist policies, affecting 78% of followers who report societal stigma. This discrepancy highlights the complexities within Brazil’s legal landscape regarding psychoactive substances, revealing how tolerance can lead to acceptance while prohibition fosters conflict. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fields like criminology, sociology, and drug studies.
Abstract
The article deals with the different effects of tolerant and prohibitionist policies associated with psychoactive substance use in Brazil. Whereas the licit use of ayahuasca has been successfully incorporated into mainstream Brazilian society, the ritual use of cannabis by one of the Santo Daime religious groups has never been fully accepted and remains a constant source of problems for the ayahuasca churches, their followers and society at large.