Cannabis Sativa, religion and society: Historical, medicinal, legal, and sacramental perspectives
Acta Theologica June 30, 2026 Norman Nyazema, Jo Nel
As cannabis decriminalization and legalization evolve globally, this article examines the relationship between Cannabis sativa and religion. It covers the plant's ancient origins, chemical structure, historical medicinal uses from ancient China to modern applications, and its criminalization, questioning the constitutionality of current legal frameworks. The article also explores cannabis's role in selected religions. The authors suggest future research, including a questionnaire to investigate how religious beliefs shape attitudes toward cannabis.