Here you go Fin.. One of the many articles that say the exact same thing.
Cannabis in India dates back to the time of Vedas. In Atharva Veda, Cannabis is referred to as bhang. It was believed to prevent one from disease and even for a longer life! The Ayur Veda mentions that the physicians of ancient India have long been using Cannabis to treat diseases and medical problems.
An important mention of Cannabis in the old Vedas and other books is for use of it in worshipping of the deity Shiva(Hindu god for transformation).
Shiva Shankar , Shiva or Bholenath is the oldest known godhead figure in the world. Devotees of Shiva sometimes meditate by drinking a milk and cannabis mixture prepared by priests (Bhang). Holy Saints and other devotees endlessly seek it as a way to achieve the spiritual oneness with Shiva. It is widely accepted amongst Hindus that Shiva takes Bhang. According to folklores Shiva being the God of Gods drinks Dhatura, bhang to ingest all these poison to make safe the earth & its people safe.
Cannabis has been an integral part of Tantra Yoga. In many practices of this yoga intoxicating drink containing bhang or Cannabis is consumed in order to liberate oneself. The ritual marks following the law of Shiva. Before consuming this herb a mantra: "Bhava na sana hridayam" is chanted, which means: "may this sana (Sanskrit for Cannabis) be a blessing to my heart." Till this date every year on Shivratri (a festival in India in which deity Shiva is worshipped), and Holi,Cannabis is consumed in various forms to mark the surrender to lord of yoga.
A drink is made from the leaves and buds of cannabis, which is very intoxicating and helps to escalate the spirit of the festivity. It is consumed without any restriction.
Bhang is believed to be a sister of the Mother Ganges (a holy river and a Goddess in India). A local folk song goes like:
"Gang Bhang Dono Bhen Hai,
Rehti Shivji Ki Sang.
Charan Karne KI Gang Hai,
Bhajan Karne Ki Bhang."
It means the river Ganges and Bhang (cannabis) are sisters and both have abode in Shiva's head. The water from the river Ganges is considered pious among Hindus and offered to the deity Shiva. When this water from Ganges is poured over a Shivalingam (a form of Shiva in the guise of a phallus shaped black stone) at a Temple and Bhang is consumed by the devotee so they can mediate, be better able to sing hymns, achieve a blissful state and be like Shiva.
According to ancient Indian scriptures Soma, the Nectar of the Gods, is another form of Bhang. Bhang is made using cannabis leaves and milk, almonds, rose water and various other items. Bhang is also used as a synonym for the cannabis plant in some parts of India.
The ancient Vedic Hindus or Aryans, as they are referred to, knew the procedure to extract THC from the cannabis plant using milk. Soma is believed to be one of the oldest intoxicants known to man.
Cannabis was very significant for Lord Shiva. Hindus consider Bhang to be holy. It is allowed in the form of Bhang and Ganja but not in the form of alcohol.
Due to religious and historical aspects Cannabis is an important aspect in Indian culture among Hindus.
It is not saying he is the God of Weed. Only that they smoke it to be like him cause he smoked it. Jesus is not the God of Wine but Catholics drink it cause he did..
