Jesus 'healed using cannabis'

Jesus was almost certainly a cannabis user and an early proponent of the medicinal properties of the drug, according to a study of scriptural texts published this month. The study suggests that Jesus and his disciples used the drug to carry out miraculous healings. The anointing oil used by Jesus and his disciples contained an ingredient called kaneh-bosem which has since been identified as cannabis extract, according to an article by Chris Bennett in the drugs magazine, High Times, entitled Was Jesus a Stoner? The incense used by Jesus in ceremonies also contained a cannabis extract, suggests Mr Bennett, who quotes scholars to back his claims.

"There can be little doubt about a role for cannabis in Judaic religion," Carl Ruck, professor of classical mythology at Boston University said.

Referring to the existence of cannabis in anointing oils used in ceremonies, he added: "Obviously the easy availability and long-established tradition of cannabis in early Judaism... would inevitably have included it in the [Christian] mixtures."

Mr Bennett suggests those anointed with the oils used by Jesus were "literally drenched in this potent mixture... Although most modern people choose to smoke or eat pot, when its active ingredients are transferred into an oil-based carrier, it can also be absorbed through the skin".

Quoting the New Testament, Mr Bennett argues that Jesus anointed his disciples with the oil and encouraged them to do the same with other followers. This could have been responsible for healing eye and skin diseases referred to in the Gospels.

"If cannabis was one of the main ingredients of the ancient anointing oil... and receiving this oil is what made Jesus the Christ and his followers Christians, then persecuting those who use cannabis could be considered anti-Christ," Mr Bennett concludes.

Putting the "dope" thing to rest, a bit of info from http://www.biblestandard.com/q_a/Questions_Answers_J_24.htm

"Jesus—Potions Offered To Him While On The Cross.
Question (1970)—Matt. 27: 34 states that Jesus was offered “vinegar to drink mingled with gall”; but Mark 15: 23 says it was “wine mingled with myrrh.” Which is correct? And did He accept any drink while on the cross?

Answer.—In translating Matt. 27: 34 the ARV, Rotherham, etc., use the oldest and best MSS, which have the word wine, not vinegar. However, it evidently was a kind of sour wine commonly called vinegar; so either translation would be acceptable. It was offered to Jesus prior to His crucifixion. Psa. 69: 21 prophesied that they would offer Messiah gall (a poisonous or strongly narcotic bitter) and vinegar. It was customary to give a cup of spiced wine mingled with strongly narcotic bitters (gall, myrrh, poppy, wormwood, etc.) to those condemned to crucifixion, to make them less sensible to the severe pain. This custom was based on Prov. 31: 6, 7: “Give strong drink [Heb., shekar, inebriating drink] unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts [in bitter distress, RSV]. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”

After tasting the potion (possibly mingled with both gall and myrrh, Matthew mentioning the one and Mark the other), Jesus evidently detected that it was more than simple wine or vinegar and therefore would not drink it. He did not wish to become stupefied and thus to interfere with the sufferings that His Father had arranged for Him to endure and possibly to render Himself unable to say and do what was intended for Him to say and do on the cross.

The above explanation presupposes that Matt. 27: 34 and Mark 15: 23 refer to the same incident. However, this may not have been the case. There may have been altogether five occasions on which Jesus in connection with His crucifixion was offered something to drink:

(1) Mark 15: 22, 23—As they “bring” (historic present tense, referring to past time) Him to Golgotha, they “were offering” (imperfect tense, i.e., action going on in past time) Him wine (Greek, oinos) mingled with myrrh; but He did not receive it.

(2) Matt. 27: 33, 34—Having arrived at Golgotha, they gave Him vinegar, sour wine (Greek, oxos), to drink, mixed with gall (Greek, chole) which, after tasting, He would not drink.

(3) Luke 23: 36—after He was crucified, the soldiers joined others in mocking Him. They echoed the words of the rulers (v. 35), but instead of saying “Christ,” they said “the king of the Jews” (v. 37). It was probably as they were engaged in their mid-day meal at the foot of the cross that they offered Jesus some of the vinegar, sour wine (Greek, oxos), served to them with their rations.

(4) Matt. 27: 46-49; Mark 15: 34-36—“About the ninth hour,” or more specifically, “at the ninth hour,” Jesus cried out with a loud voice, in the words of Psa. 22: 1, which St. Matthew apparently translated directly from the original Hebrew, thus rendering it “Eli, Eli,” etc. But St. Mark, probably learning from the Apostle Peter the exact form of words used by Jesus, renders it “Eloi, Eloi,” etc. Some said He was calling for Elias. One of the soldiers (who had access to the vessel in which the acid wine used by them was kept) filled a sponge with this vinegar, sour wine (Greek, oxos), and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.

(5) John 19: 28-30—Finally, “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled saith, I thirst.” While previously He had twice refused the stupefying potion (Matt. 27: 34; Mark 15: 23), He obviously did not now object to the simple vinegar, sour wine (Greek, oxos), for when it was offered to Him (probably by a javelin or reed) on a sponge bound fast (literally, placed about) by hyssop, He received it. He then said, “It is finished”; and bowing His head, He gave up the spirit, i.e., He breathed out His last breath, He let go his hold on life—He expired.

Thus it seems that there may have been five occasions on which Jesus in connection with His crucifixion was offered something to drink, and that these drinks were of three different kinds. ’70-23; ’83-23"

In summary, if Jesus refused to be sedated to endure the torture of the cross, only the ignorant or the idiot would summize He would endorse cannabis's "casual" use....

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