I was recently talking with a practicing Muslim friend who eschews all cannabis and alcohol. He asked me about CBD, and the potential value it might have in addressing a condition that he deals with. He told me he could treat it with pharmaceuticals, but that he wanted to avoid their side effects, and find something more in keeping with a health-oriented lifestyle. That opened an interesting conversation about the challenges presented to anyone who has religious beliefs that conflict with cannabis, as well as the fluid and shifting definitions of what constitutes “medical” use.
I should say now that I do not have a faith, nor am I a scholar of the beautiful and diverse tapestry of faiths and religions. As such, this is probably not the column to share with your devout and conservative family members as a way to justify your cannabis use. Yikes. Consult with your priest, rabbi, imam, or gargoyle king for actual learned guidance.