Cannabis has been used by individuals, groups, and communities as part of spiritual, religious, and ceremonial life for millenia. A clear definition is needed to distinguish sacramental use from recreational, medical, or other commercial use.
This standard provides neutral language that can be used by organizations, researchers, regulators, faith communities, and policy makers. It focuses on the purpose and context of use, rather than on a specific religion, belief system, product type, or method of consumption.
The intent is to support clarity, consistency, and respectful recognition of cannabis use when it is connected to sacred or ceremonial practice.
This standard defines sacramental use of cannabis as the intentional use of cannabis within a religious, spiritual, ceremonial, or devotional practice.
It applies to contexts where cannabis is used as part of a recognized ritual, observance, rite, offering, prayer, meditation, healing ceremony, or other sacred practice.
This standard does not define recreational, medical, commercial, or general adult-use cannabis. It also does not determine legal permission, religious legitimacy, or organizational approval. Those matters are outside the scope of this standard.