Cannabis Used for Religious Rites

The inception of cannabis in our lives today is credited to legalization as well as the medicinal potencies associated with the plant. As popular as the cannabis plant is surveyed to be in recent times, findings are taking the popularity of this plant to a completely different level. One, linked to the religion, under the auspices of the birthplace of Christianity (Israel).

Israel and Cannabis

Although the laws governing cannabis in Israel aren’t as tight as they used to be many researchers believe that, this is hugely credited by the medicinal potencies associated with the plant. While nations are easing their stance on cannabis Israel isn’t one to be left behind as recreational cannabis although tagged illegal is decriminalized partially.

All of which is evident considering citizens caught smoking cannabis in public for the first and second times can’t be arrested. Especially if they have no previous record of Cannabis prior to the date of arrest. However and irrespective of a record of not caught smoking cannabis makes the smokers liable to fine. Making the cannabis laws in Israel very confusing.

Cannabis Discovery: Tel Arad Archaeological Site

In 1963, and championed by a survey and study published in the journal Tel Aviv of the materials on two altars, now housed in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, were surveyed to contain cannabis and frankincense. For a place tagged as holy grown, researchers are thrilled considering it is the first time physical evidence of cannabis has been identified in the Ancient Near East (study authors).

The study further elaborates that, very many cultures such as the Gaddi tribe of the Himalayas, the Buganda kingdom of Africa and the Tenetehara of Brazil, were credited with using recreational cannabis for ecstasy in cultic. Some findings hold that a wide array of tribes in Israel used cannabis for medicinal purposes. Amongst other things, a survey carried out in 1993 on the corpse of a teenage girl found dead in an ancient cave in Jerusalem pointed to the use of cannabis. While in labor, researchers opine that cannabis was the ideal drug used on the teen as a panacea for the pain during childbirth.

While ancient sculptures in Israel were used for rituals or cultish practices, it is absurd to think cannabis researchers were in search of the relationship between the sculptures and cannabis. After a multitude of tests conducted in different laboratories, with the aid of liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. Findings showed that the small altar’s contained residues of cannabinoids. Some of which include cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (CBN). Like gold, Frankincense is a precious stone known to serve the ancient Israelites as their offerings and sacrifices. Spiced with unique fragrance researchers in ancient history claim the Israelite used the Frankincense, cannabis, and animal as offering to appease the gods of the land.

Final Note

While many think of cannabis as a newly discovered plant, a wide array of researchers say otherwise. All of which is evident with the finding from studies such as those linking cannabis use with religious rights. With that said and irrespective of the stigmas associated with cannabis one thing remains that the plant’s ability to serve as a panacea for a wide array of ailment.