Kaneh Bosm and Soma: The Archeology of Cannabis in Ancient Religious Rituals

In this presentation, Chris Bennett will explore the archeological evidence for the ritual use of cannabis in the ancient world, beginning over 5,000 years ago, and continuing for thousands of years. Evidence indicates that cannabis was an ingredient in the original Vedic Soma, and the Temple Incenses and Holy Oils of Judaism. Discussion will include Biblical references to cannabis, including the question of how to understand .30:23 Kaneh Bosm) in Exodus. Chris Bennett is co-author of Green Gold the Tree of Life: Marijuana in Magic and Religion (1995), and Sex, Drugs, Violence and the Bible (2001). He is the author of Cannabis and the Soma Solution (2010), and Liber 420: Cannabis, Magickal herbs and the Occult (2018). He has also contributed chapters in books such as Entheogens and the Development of Culture (2013), Seeking the Sacred with Psychoactive Substances (2014), Cannabis and Spirituality (2016) and Psychedelics Reimagined (1999). Bennett’s research has received international attention from the BBC, Guardian, Sunday Times, Washington Post, and other media sources. This is a presentation of OSU Religious Studies Program... Originally broadcast April 20, 2021...