Prohibition, religious freedom, and human rights: regulating traditional drug use

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This book explores the use and regulation of traditional drugs like peyote, ayahuasca, coca leaf, cannabis, khat, and Salvia divinorum, highlighting their roles at the intersection of politics, medicine, shamanism, religion, aesthetics, knowledge transmission, socialization, and celebration. It analyzes how these psychoactive plants have been integrated and regulated in Western societies through national legislation and United Nations Drug Conventions. The focus includes global court cases concerning religious use and the legal definitions of “religion,” while also addressing human rights and cognitive liberty related to drug consumption. Emphasizing various cultural and historical contexts, the collection encourages reflection on contemporary drug use and offers alternatives to current prohibitionist policies, which often contribute to illicit and violent markets. By examining the complexities of traditional drug regulation, this volume engages with concepts such as origin, place, authenticity, and tradition, connecting drug policy to broader social science discussions.