Holy Herb: Did Jesus and His Followers Smoke Weed?

Key Takeaways

✔ Some researchers believe Jesus may have used cannabis-infused anointing oils for healing.
✔ Ancient religious texts describe oils with “kaneh-bosm,” which some scholars believe refers to cannabis.
✔ Cannabis was commonly used in medicinal and spiritual rituals in the ancient world.
✔ No direct evidence confirms Jesus used cannabis, but historical texts suggest it was likely present in early religious practices.

Introduction

Could Jesus have used cannabis as part of his healing miracles? The idea might sound controversial, but some historians and biblical scholars believe cannabis played a role in ancient religious rituals—possibly including Jesus’ anointing oils.

Throughout history, cannabis has been used for medicinal, spiritual, and religious purposes, and some researchers argue that it may have been a key ingredient in biblical healing practices. But is there actual evidence to support this claim?

Let’s dive into the history, biblical texts, and ancient medicinal practices to uncover the truth.

Did Jesus Really Use Cannabis? The Controversial Theory

The theory that Jesus used cannabis comes from a closer examination of biblical texts and historical records of early medicine.

✔ In 2003, historian Chris Bennett proposed that “kaneh-bosm,” a biblical anointing oil ingredient, was actually cannabis.
✔ Some scholars argue that healing with oils may have involved cannabis extracts with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
✔ Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Hebrews used cannabis in religious ceremonies and medicine.

While there is no definitive proof, the evidence suggests that cannabis may have been used in early religious practices—including those of Jesus.

The Biblical Evidence: What Does the Bible Say About Cannabis?

The Bible doesn’t directly mention cannabis, but some scholars believe it appears under the name “kaneh-bosm.”

✔ Exodus 30:22-25 describes a holy anointing oil used by priests and prophets, listing kaneh-bosm as an ingredient.
✔ Some linguists argue that kaneh-bosm translates to cannabis, while others believe it refers to calamus, a different plant.
✔ If cannabis was indeed in the anointing oil, it could mean Jesus and his disciples used it for healing and religious rituals.

💡 Key Question: Could the “miraculous healings” of Jesus have been assisted by cannabis-infused oils?

Ancient Anointing Oils: Was Cannabis a Key Ingredient?

In biblical times, anointing oils were sacred mixtures used to heal the sick, bless followers, and perform religious ceremonies.

A traditional holy anointing oil recipe (Exodus 30:22-25) included:
✔ Myrrh
✔ Cinnamon
✔ Cassia
✔ Olive Oil
✔ Kaneh-Bosm (potentially cannabis)

If kaneh-bosm was cannabis, this means Jesus’ healing oils could have contained THC and CBD, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and mood-enhancing effects.

Cannabis in Religious Rituals of the Ancient World

Cannabis wasn’t just used in the Bible—it played a major role in many ancient religions:

✔ Egyptians used cannabis for pain relief and spiritual ceremonies.
✔ Hindus in India believed cannabis was a gift from the god Shiva and used it in religious rituals.
✔ Chinese medicine recorded cannabis use as early as 2700 BCE for healing and meditation.
✔ Assyrians and Scythians burned cannabis as part of religious purification rituals.

If all these ancient civilizations were using cannabis for religious and medicinal purposes, it’s not far-fetched to think that it was also present in biblical times.

How Cannabis Was Used in Ancient Medicine

Long before modern medicine, cannabis was widely used to treat various conditions:

✔ Pain relief – Cannabis was known for its analgesic properties.
✔ Anti-inflammatory – Used to treat swelling and joint pain.
✔ Mental health – Ancient civilizations believed it helped with anxiety and stress.
✔ Spiritual enlightenment – Many cultures used cannabis to connect with the divine.

Since Jesus was known as a healer, it’s possible that he used plant-based medicine—including cannabis—to treat the sick and suffering.

Could Jesus Have Used Cannabis for Healing?

While there is no definitive proof that Jesus used cannabis, the historical evidence suggests that:

✔ Cannabis was likely available in biblical times.
✔ Ancient religious anointing oils may have contained cannabis.
✔ Cannabis was commonly used for healing, anointing, and religious ceremonies.

If Jesus and his disciples were using the holy anointing oil, it’s possible that they were applying cannabis-infused oils to the sick—potentially explaining some of the miraculous healings described in the Bible.

FAQ

Q: Is there actual proof that Jesus used cannabis?
A: There is no direct evidence, but historical records suggest that cannabis was used in biblical medicine and religious rituals.

Q: What is kaneh-bosm?
A: Kaneh-bosm is an ingredient in biblical anointing oil. Some researchers believe it refers to cannabis, while others think it is calamus, a different plant.

Q: Did other religious groups use cannabis?
A: Yes! Ancient Egyptians, Hindus, Assyrians, and Chinese healers all used cannabis in religious and medicinal practices.

Q: Could cannabis have been used in Jesus’ healing miracles?
A: Possibly! Cannabis has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, which could explain some of the “miraculous” healings described in the Bible.

Conclusion

So, did Jesus use cannabis? While we may never know for sure, the historical evidence suggests that cannabis was present in biblical times and could have been used in healing rituals and anointing oils.

✔ Some scholars believe kaneh-bosm refers to cannabis.
✔ Ancient anointing oils may have contained cannabis extracts.
✔ Cannabis was widely used for medicine and spirituality in the ancient world.

Whether or not Jesus used cannabis, one thing is clear: cannabis has been a sacred and healing plant for thousands of years.

💬 What do you think? Could Jesus have used cannabis in his healing practices? Let us know in the comments!