Cannabis in India: Inside India’s Holy Men – Cannabis News Network

“I think people need to be educated to the fact that cannabis is not a drug. Cannabis is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?”
(Willie Nelson / Musician, Writer, Actor, Activist)

For our holiday special, the Cannabis News Network team traveled to India for a unique journey.

Cannabis has a long history in India, veiled in legends and religion. The earliest mention of cannabis has been found in The Vedas or sacred Hindu texts. These writings may have been compiled as early as 2000 B.C.

According to The Vedas, cannabis was one of five sacred plants. The Vedas call cannabis a source of happiness, joy-giver, liberator that was compassionately given to humans to help us attain delight and lose fear. It releases us from anxiety. The god, Shiva is frequently associated with cannabis, called bhang in India. According to legend, Shiva wandered off into the fields after an angry discourse with his family. Drained from the family conflict and the hot sun, he fell asleep under a leafy plant. When he awoke, his curiosity led him to sample the leaves of the plant. Instantly rejuvenated, Shiva made the plant his favorite food and he became known as the Lord of Bhang.

Our journey leads to a remote cave, far away from daily life. Here we meet our Sadhu, or Baba, to seek out why cannabis is considered a sacred plant and how it has been used, spiritually and medicinally.

Sadhus are dedicated monks, sacrificing their lives for a higher state of mind and often using cannabis to get there. They usually live in forests, caves or temples.

We had to drive and then walk for hours to reach a remote and amazing place in the Himalayan mountains. There we found a real Naga Sadhu, a Baba, living together with other sadhus, served by pilgrims.

Enjoy watching our journey!

Cannabis News Network is a news journal which publishes only cannabis related news.