The Jewish faith and marijuana

As the autumn leaves begin to change color, so does Jewish greatness. It is a time to reflect, to celebrate, to be grateful for the blessings and to honor the history of the Jewish people. An ancient tradition cherished around the world and revered in the hearts and souls of millions of people. Rosh Hashanah is a highlight of the New Year celebrations and culminates with Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Fasting, family, prayers and more celebrate both holidays. During the High Holidays, believers relax, reflect, and search for true meaning. This begs the question: What about the Jewish faith and marijuana?

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In the United States, the Jewish population is overrepresented among recreational cannabis users. The reasons are seen as the urban housing structure, the large concentration of Jewish residents in the academic milieu in metropolitan areas and the urban avant-garde movements. And Jewish families are seen as less authoritarian and more tolerant of “intellectual experiments.”

In Canada, particularly in Toronto, differences have been noted between Jews and Christians in attitudes toward cannabis use in the high school population, with surveys showing that more than twice as many Jewish students have used cannabis as Catholic ones.

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One of the largest marijuana product companies, Colorado-based Wana Brands, has its edibles certified by Whole Kosher Services, a Houston-based company. They cite a long list of companies that have passed inspection. Smoking is not allowed during fasting, otherwise a fire would have to be lit, and food must be kosher to avoid contamination.

Archaeology, lexicography and paleobotany researchers of ancient Israel generally believe that cannabis is neither documented nor mentioned in the Hebrew Bible in early Judaism. The main proponent of religious use of the cannabis plant in early Judaism was Sula Benet, who claimed that the plant “kaneh bosem קְנֵה-בֹשֶׂם”, mentioned five times in the Hebrew Bible and used in the holy anointing oil of the Book of Exodus, was actually cannabis. Many other scientists are more skeptical or simply disagree.

In a 1973 statement, Orthodox Rabbi Moshe Feinstein stated that cannabis was not permitted under Jewish law because of its harmful effects. In 2013, Orthodox Rabbi Efraim Zalmanovich declared that medical cannabis, but not recreational cannabis, would be permitted. It seems that the population is not entirely of the same opinion about cannabis use.

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The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research in New York City recently had an exhibit, “Am Yisrael High: The Story of Jews and Cannabis.” So the conversation is on for an intellectual discussion.