We hope these Canna-Jewish reflections help provide context for the extraordinary contributions of Jews to cannabis culture, reseach and advocacy (and help explain Why Jews Love Weed).
In the spirit of our tradition, CJM offers this canna-Jewish reading of the Exodus that recovers the role played by kaneh bosem (Eng. cannabis) in the events leading up to our liberation through deduction, speculation and the light of Jewish herstory.
The false accusations and threats leveled against me are not only unacceptable under Canadian law, but they undermine the very principles of openness, mutual understanding, and respectful dialogue that our event aims to promote. Moving forward, I remain committed to facilitating a space where diverse perspectives can be shared and constructive conversations can be had without hatred or intimidation.
I also heard from cannabis Jews and allies in the United States who wrote to tell me that the article resonated with them because they, too, are suffering from similar types of racist hate in the American cannabis and psychedelic communities.
I'm sure I'm not the only Jew especially eager to celebrate Purim next week, the one day in the Jewish year when it's an actual mitzvah to get wasted in order to commemorate yet another occasion when we survived the genocidal intent of a Jew-hating regime thanks to the chutzpah and bravery of a Jewish woman (FACTS).
The sense of Tikkun Olam, of making the world a better place was prevalent thorughout the industry. Israel Cannabis had the effect of introducing the nation to millions⏤from investors to recreational users⏤in a new light.
The close relation between kaneh bosem and Jewish history has inspired a new generation of Jews to turn to herbal remedies in order to feel some pride and cope with anxiety at a time when most people in the world want us to die or disappear.
If the aim is to empower students to improve the cannabis industry, then we need to teach Philosophy of Cannabis to question and disrupt the reproduction of systemic inequalities that characterize every industry in our late-stage capitalist economy.
Coates refuses to consider what it means to exist as a remnant of our people, violently removed from the world in the European-wide effort to achieve a “final solution” to the problem of Jews—an existential threat to the white race.
The reason we expected more support and empathy from the cannabis community relates to the pivotal role that Israeli Jews have played in the history of cannabis research and advocacy, supported by a culture that values life over politics, guided by the Jewish effort to reduce suffering to repair the world (tikkun olam).
