Cannabis, Sacred and Profane - by Christopher Partridge (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Cannabis, Religion, and Culture is a detailed analysis of one of the most frequently-used, culturally-significant, and widely-discussed psychoactives in the West. Beginning with an overview of the debates about the religious interpretation of drug-induced mystical experience, the book then provides a broad introduction to the pharmacology, history, and culture of cannabis use. It looks at the reception of cannabis in a number of faith traditions. Overall, Christopher Partridge develops the reader's understanding of the significance and creation of contemporary cannabis culture. He shows - from the perspective of religious studies - how the experience of 'being high' has been interpreted"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Focussing on the ways in which cannabis has been demonized, sacralized and normalized, Christopher Partridge analyses the complex and often difficult relationship Western societies have had with the plant since the nineteenth century.

After an introduction to cannabis and its uses, the book discusses how and why it was constructed as a profane influence and a marker of deviance. It then examines the emergence of medicinal cannabis, showing how this has contributed to its normalization and even its sacralization. Finally, there is a discussion of sacred cannabis, which looks at its use within modern occultism, Rastafari and several cannabis churches.

Overall, the book provides a cultural history of cannabis in the modern world, which exposes the underlying reasons for the various and changing attitudes to this popular psychoactive substance.

Review Quotes

"Christopher Partridge masterfully navigates the complex and multifaceted relations between cannabis and society across the ages. With meticulous research and an intriguing narrative, Partridge unveils the historical, cultural and scientific dimensions of cannabis, transcending conventional tales and stereotypes. If you want a refreshing perspective that challenges your preconceptions about cannabis, consciousness, the holy and the unholy, read on." --Mitch Earleywine, Professor of Psychology, University of Albany, USA

"[The] book offers a cultural history of cannabis in the modern world, uncovering the underlying reasons for the varied and evolving attitudes toward this popular plant. Partridge's discussions reflect broader societal shifts regarding cannabis and its place in modern life, including evolving legal, cultural, and health perspectives." --Religious Studies Review

About the Author

Christopher Partridge is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of Research at Lancaster University, UK. He is editor of the series Bloomsbury Studies in Religion and Popular Music, and the author of several books, including High Culture: Drugs, Mysticism, and the Pursuit of Transcendence in the Modern World (2018), Mortality and Music (2015), The Lyre of Orpheus (2013).