Who Are Weed Nuns? California's Cannabis-Growing Sisters Pray To Higher Power

The Sisters of the Valley farm is a one-acre plot wedged in California’s sprawling, agriculture-rich Central Valley. The farm is run by a group of self-styled "weed nuns," who grow cannabis on the sun-drenched property, tucked among vineyards and apple orchards.

Despite their moniker, this nonreligious sorority of radical feminists resides in Merced, North California and has been working together since 2015. It is made up of women of all ages who have a very clear goal: to share the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

Who Are Weed Nuns?

The Sisters of the Valley, or the weed nuns, as they are sometimes called, do not belong to the Catholic order. In fact, they have no religious affiliation whatsoever.

Though they are staffed by a coven of habit-wearing women, the Sisters of the Valley answer to Christine Meeusen (aka Sister Kate), who confirmed with the NY Post, that "We're against religion, so we're not a religion ... we reach back to pre-Christian practices."

The group says its Holy Trinity is the marijuana plant, specifically hemp, a strain of marijuana that has very low levels of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in the plant. Members turn the hemp into cannabis-based balms and ointments, which they say have the power to improve health and well-being.

To help cultivate a healthy crop, the nuns, who define themselves as healers and feminists, bless their cannabis plants by burning sages, singing hymns and dancing.

California was the first state to legalise medical marijuana in 1996, and recreational use has been legal since 2016.

The state's law, however, is full of regulatory loopholes, which means the legality of marijuana cultivation varies from county to county and city to city. So while it's legal to use cannabis in the state, nearly two-thirds of California cities have banned marijuana businesses, with others making it extremely difficult to obtain permits. This means that for the Sisters of the Valley, growing their 60 plants outside, here in Merced County, does not fall within the law, reports BBC.

"I chose an industry that is messed up," Sister Kate said on laws surrounding California's cannabis industry. "It's going to probably be messed up and I'm probably going to have to do a lot of dancing and sidestepping."

Sister Kate would prefer if the business, which sells its products online and through pop-up events and markets, could operate above board.

“The truth is, I’d love for them to permit us because that would be a win. And because we believe in paying taxes,” she said.

Suggested Reading: Why We Need To Talk About The Benefits Of Medical Marijuana