These lines from Atharva is five plants are the best source of Soma. Means these plants realize us from the struggle. One of these five is Marijuana, also known as Bhanga in Sanskrit. The meaning of the word Bhang comes from the root word, bhajyatE Meaning breaking or splitting. Marijuana is called BhangA, because it creates a break, o a split between your mental burden and your self. Thi break is what causes the lightness an euphoria. While it last, this euphoria can be an incredibly liberating experience and is the main reason behind marijuana being so strongly associated with free-thinking and libertarian movements.

The freedom from the burden of one's mind, I also the reason behind unbridled and brilliant mental capabilities during a high. When the societal structure gets too rigid and demanding, it is natural for the mind to desire a break. While recreational and medical use of marijuana might not seem too harmful, it's capacity to create a break, could also eventually lead to break down.

Bhanga has a long history of use in Ayurveda.

It is classified as upa visha or a mildly toxic substance and has been used in healing preparations after proper processing, or shuddhi. The property of marijuana is elaborated upon by many of the rasa Shastras. One of them called Ananda Kanda has a whole chapter dedicated to a bhanA, its toxicity the procedures for the cultivation, preparation and consumption. In this chapter, the Anand Kanda describes 9 successive stages of marijuana toxicity.

This text also prescribes various antidotes to counter the toxic and narcotic effect of executive use od marijuana. From some of the Sanskrit lines regarding marijuana, from some of the Ayurvedic textbooks on Marijuana. Verse two hundred and five bhavaprakasha says 

This word describes the various properties of marijuana. It calls, marijuana by names like ganja, mAtulAnal, Vijaya and Jaya. It is called as Kamada meaning, libido, ruchyA, meaning it increases the sensation of taste, Vak Vahini vardhini, meaning it causes enhanced speech and heightens the fire in the body.

This applies to various faculties like digestion sexual desire and thought process; all of these are seen as multiple manifestations of Agni, or fire. It is also called nidrakara, Meaning it causes induces sleep, madakrut, meaning it causes intoxication, pachani, meaning causes quick digestion. It is also called kapahari, which means it suppresses the production of mucus in the body.

Kapha is the property which causes coagulation and heaviness, not just in the respiratory system, but through the body. All these qualities make marijuana an excellent remedy for various disorders like epilepsy, glaucoma, schizophrenia, indigestion, and impotence. It is also used topically to cure worm-infested wound and relieve pain. However, since it is categorized as upa-visha or mildly toxic, purification processes, called shodhana, have to be performed before bhang can be consumed. 

It is also used in Ayurveda medicined like pushpadhanwa rasa, which enhances sexual stamina, and reduces premature ejaculation. Jati phaladi churna, which improve the respiretory and digestive functions, in nidrodaya rasa, which treats and inoculate ejaculation. In bahumutrantak rasa, which treats frequent urination, And in mahajwarankush rasa, which brings balance to body temperature. 

Other ayurvedic work like kaiyadeva and nighantuh, and Sushruta Samhita, have a similar description of the benefits of marijuana. 

This reasonably establishes that bhanga was not seen as a substance of taboo, in ancient Indian culture. It was even accused divine qualities of being a favorite of lord shiva.but what needs to be understood is that it was not a substance to be abused. We were extremely aware of toxic nature. consumption of bhang was always done after Suddikarana. Even though its toxic effects are not extensively mentioned.