Religious Uses of Licit and Illicit Psychoactive Substances in a Branch of the Santo Daime Religion
Fieldwork in Religion November 27, 2008 DOI: 10.1558/firn.v2i3.393 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn Brazil, tolerant policies have allowed the psychoactive substance ayahuasca to be successfully incorporated into mainstream society, while prohibitionist policies have prevented the ritual use of cannabis by a Santo Daime religious group from gaining full acceptance. This ongoing prohibition creates persistent problems for ayahuasca churches, their followers, and broader society.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca Cannabis |
| Keywords | Psychoactive substance Mainstream Religious studies |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key finding | Argues that Brazil's drug policies tolerate ayahuasca use while prohibiting cannabis use in religious contexts, creating persistent problems for ayahuasca churches and society. |
Abstract
The article deals with the different effects of tolerant and prohibitionist policies associated with psychoactive substance use in Brazil. Whereas the licit use of ayahuasca has been successfully incorporated into mainstream Brazilian society, the ritual use of cannabis by one of the Santo Daime religious groups has never been fully accepted and remains a constant source of problems for the ayahuasca churches, their followers and society at large.