Cannabis is increasingly becoming a growing industry, with the legal marijuana market predicted to grow by 2070. The nuns behind this Catholic Church-approved weed farm run their business in accordance to guidelines released by Pope Francis in 2015, making them unique among growers and recipients of cannabis within the US.
The “what do nuns do” is a question that has been asked for centuries. The answer to the question is “The Nuns Who Grow Weed.”
The Sisters of the Valley operate according to moon cycles because they think this enhances the plant’s healing abilities.
Marian Venini’s article was first published on El Planteo.
The Sisters of the Valley’s dedication is undeniable, despite the fact that they are not affiliated with any religious organization. These ladies, sometimes known as the “Weed Nuns,” are committed to cultivating cannabis and distributing medical goods made from it.
The group, based in Merced, California (which, by the way, means “mercy”), has been operating since 2015 and is made up of women of all ages with a single goal: to spread the word about the medical advantages of cannabis and to see it legalized. Furthermore, their goal is to combat a medical system that has traditionally marginalized holistic treatment.
Shaughn and John took the photos.
CBD is used in all of their products. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it has no impact on the mind, yet it is an effective pain reliever and myorelaxant. Important research has been done in recent years on the use of CBD to treat a variety of diseases, including epilepsy, cancer, arthritis, stress, and depression, to name a few.
The Sisters of the Valley operate according to moon cycles because they think this enhances the plant’s healing abilities. The two weeks after the new moon, they say, are excellent for pharmaceutical development. In reality, they offer lower-cost goods that they were unable to produce within the appropriate cycle. Oils, soaps, balms, topicals, tinctures, and other items are available.
They do not take Catholic vows since they are not nuns in the traditional sense, but they do have their own. Not to a deity or a religion, but to a certain way of life. They are dedicated to helping those in need, to living modestly, and to honoring nature and lunar cycles. They also contain a chastity vow, but make it clear that this does not mean celibacy.
Shaughn and John took the photos.
The Sisters make a commitment to spend many hours a week working for progressive issues in their communities, which is one of their most significant commitments. The Sisters’ concerns are not confined to marijuana-related issues; they also support feminist and social equality movements, among others.
This is hardly unexpected given that Sister Kate, the organization’s founder, has been an activist for over a decade. In 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture declared pizza sauce to be a vegetable in response to Michelle Obama’s worries about children’s health. Christine Meeusen then proclaimed, “If pizza is a vegetable, then I am a nun,” and started dressing up like one while helping protesters. In 2011, she became a member of the Occupy Movement, earning the moniker “Sister Occupy.”
Shaughn and John took the photos.
She is now known as Sister Kate, having quit her corporate career, and she continues to wear the habit to highlight her spiritual devotion to her work. She’s also said that “we need a new type of nun,” since the old model isn’t working anymore.
Shaughn and John took the photos.
Sister Kate and her companion, Sister Darcy, want to establish employment for women that are “spiritual and respectable.” Only a strong social and ecological commitment, as well as a willingness to live and work in a community, are required. Women may choose to become Sisters and take the vows after working there for two years. Only one of the present members comes from a Catholic background.
A Call from the Past
Their manner of life has been likened to that of the Beguines on many occasions. They were, in fact, a huge source of inspiration for the Weed Nuns.
The Beguines were Christian women’s communities that arose in the 12th century. They were involved in charity activities, worked on their own, and owned property. They also created literary works, made no vows, and were free to quit the organization at any time.
Shaughn and John took the photos.
Their medical methods and rejection of the Catholic Church resulted in many being persecuted and even burnt at the stake, much to no one’s surprise. The Sisters of the Valley are unable to avoid this comparison; they are well aware that their rites, purpose, and manner of life would have doomed them to fire a few hundred years ago. This is why they put such a high value on social issues and praise the cannabis industry’s increasing cultural and gender diversity.
Shaughn and John took all of the photos. They have an Instagram account that you may follow.
