Scientology takes a strict view of cannabis and recreational drugs, while alcohol gets a surprisingly different treatment
As cannabis becomes a more mainstream part of American life, there is one group unlikely to be lighting up with the trend. Â What does scientology say about marijuana and fun? Well, there seems to be a bit of a double standard.
The Church of Scientology‘s official position on marijuana is straightforward. Scientologists are not supposed to use recreational drugs, including marijuana, and the church says its members should not take mind-altering drugs unless they are prescribed for a medical condition. Scientology’s stated reasoning is drugs can reduce awareness and interfere with a person’s ability to deal with life.
RELATED: Gen Z Is Drinking Way Less Than Previous Generations
This puts cannabis in an interesting position within Scientology. Marijuana may be legal for recreational use in many states, and millions of Americans now consume cannabis as it has become mainstream, but legality does not change the church’s religious position.
Scientology goes considerably further on the subject of drugs with something called the Purification Rundown. According to the church, the program is designed to rid the body of drug residues and other toxins through a closely supervised combination of exercise, sauna, nutrition and rest. The church says the program was developed by founder L. Ron Hubbard in response to what he viewed as the harmful effects of drugs on physical and spiritual well-being.
So, if cannabis is off the table, what about a glass of wine?
Here’s where things get a little more interesting.
Scientology does not have a blanket prohibition against alcohol. The church explicitly says there are no general rules against drinking. There is, however, one important restriction: alcohol cannot be consumed during or within 24 hours of an auditing session or Scientology training. The church says alcohol would interfere with a person’s ability to benefit from those religious services.
Smoking is also prohibited in course rooms and during auditing sessions because it can distract the person participating and others around them.
In other words, Scientology’s approach isn’t quite “no fun allowed.” It is more like: have your fun somewhere else and don’t show up for auditing with a buzz.
The distinction is notable because Scientology places considerable emphasis on being alert, aware and in control. The church describes recreational drugs as substances which dull awareness, while its stated goal is to make people more aware and capable of handling their lives.
RELATED: How Quick Can A Cannabis Gummy Calm You Down
The auditing session has its own electronic device called the E-Meter. It is used during the “event” and is considered a religious artifact by the church. The device sends a very small electrical current through the body while a person holds its electrodes, and an auditor watches the needle’s movements as part of the auditing process. Scientology says the E-Meter helps locate areas of spiritual distress.
Also, like a really good cannabis session, Scientology’s cosmology eventually gets very, very cosmic in your openness.  But, at its upper levels, the religion includes teachings about an ancient extraterrestrial ruler named Xenu and events said to have occurred millions of years ago. Those teachings have become one of the most recognizable — and most frequently joked-about — aspects of Scientology.
This makes the cannabis question particularly interesting in the modern era.
Americans are increasingly treating marijuana as a normal part of social and personal life, with cannabis appearing alongside everything from dinner parties to sporting events. Scientology, meanwhile, remains firmly opposed to recreational marijuana and other mind-altering street drugs.
Alcohol gets a little more room, but even there, timing matters.
For a religion built around achieving greater awareness and control, perhaps the simplest way to put it is this: cannabis may be having its mainstream moment, but Scientology isn’t joining the party.
At least not before the auditing session.
