Here in the United States of America, in the early years of the twenty-first century, attitudes and laws about cannabis are changing rapidly. As of this writing, a handful of states have legalized the use of cannabis across the board and dozens more have legalized some form of medical marijuana. Our nation and the world are cautiously lifting the blinders of prohibition and rediscovering the history and uses of this remarkable plant.
Some of us are starting to speak out about the various ways that cannabis has helped and influenced us over the years. We are starting to hear stories of medical patients who find that cannabis restores abilities and health, artists and scientists who use cannabis to enhance creativity, and meditators and ritual magicians who have incorporated the plant into their practices. I think it’s important for us to share this kind of information about how we can use cannabis safely, effectively, and in our best interests.
As prohibition recedes, science advances. In some ways, this book is even more difficult to write now—our knowledge of the plant, including genetics, evolution, history, and pharmacology, grows faster than a hemp field in summer.
I waited many years to write this book, for the political and societal signs to shift a bit. The origin of this book goes back about twenty years to the Starwood Festival, which was then held at a site in rural Western New York state. That year, Stephen Gaskin, founder of The Farm community and author of Cannabis Spirituality (High Times, 1998), presented a workshop in which he discussed cannabis in relation to Eastern philosophy. The presentation inspired (after some discussion with Stephen) my own cannabis workshop the next year, focusing more on magick and the Western esoteric tradition. That turned into a long-running series of classes and generated a lot of useful, exciting, and stony information and techniques. Much of that—and more—will be found in the coming pages.
When I say that I am working on a book about cannabis and magick, the first question I get is “Why cannabis?” This question, I think, is largely motivated by a lack of knowledge of the eons-long history of cannabis use in magick and meditation and by belief in some of the myths and fallacies used by prohibitionists. The short answer is that cannabis can (with the proper techniques) help to induce a state in which the processes and results of magick become more probable and effective. The longer answer, which addresses both “why” and “how,” will be found in the coming pages. Read on.
Is cannabis magick for everyone? Probably not. But the historical record and the scientific evidence strongly suggest that it can be an important adjunct for many. And as decriminalization spreads worldwide, the confluence of magick, yoga, meditation, and cannabis will become more and more common. In the past, information about this plant was purely occult, hidden away from law enforcement and disapproving eyes, and now we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to shed new light on this misunderstood corner of esoteric spirituality.