When cannabis is used in religious ceremonies and practices and when it is regarded as sacred or significant by a particular religion, it is defined as sacramental.
It is probable that the connection between cannabis and religion began with its use as ceremonial incense along with other naturally pungent herbs. When thrown upon a fire or smouldering coals, clouds of smoke rich in the active ingredient THC would be released to be inhaled by those present. The enhanced perception of colours, sounds, and the passage of time would all have underlined the belief that they were in touch with their deity.
The use of cannabis a religious sacrament predates written history and evidence of its place as a sacred plant can be found in most ancient religions, including Shintoism, Buddhism, and Sufism; and among the Bantu, Pygmy, Zulu and Hottentot tribes of Africa. Several modern religions still practice the ceremonial consumption of psychoactive cannabis, for example Rastafari, while others consider it holy due to its many other properties, revering it as a symbol of strength, purity or wellness.
There are obvious reasons for this widespread use as a religious intoxicant. Cannabis grows easily and abundantly in almost every climate and is active in its natural form, requiring no processing to harness its mood altering qualities. Most importantly, it inspires contemplation instead of mere intoxication.
Many contemporary cannabis users recount feelings of 'oneness with God', 'peace and tranquillity', 'reduced anxiety', 'a greater understanding of life' and a 'greater appreciation of music and art', showing that although the religious frameworks surrounding its use may have fallen away or altered almost beyond recognition, the positive transcendental effects remain the same.