Dave Hodges (activist)
Dave Hodges | |
|---|---|
 Hodges in 2024 | |
| Born | 1981 or 1982 |
| Known for | Founding Church of Ambrosia |
| Movement | Cannabis rights |
| Website | https://ambrosia.church/pastor-dave-hodges/ |
David Hodges (born 1981 or 1982) is an American religious leader and cannabis and psychedelics activist, known for founding the Church of Ambrosia, a non-denominational religious organization based in Oakland, California.[1][2]
Described as the "prophet of the shroom", Hodges and the Church of Ambrosia have been featured in media coverage relating to psychedelic spirituality, cannabis advocacy, and drug policy reform in the United States, particularly in relation to debates over the legal status and religious use of entheogenic substances.[1][2][3]
Career
Cannabis and activism
In 2009, Hodges founded the San Jose Cannabis Buyers Collective, also described as one of San Jose’s first medical cannabis collectives and later as a storefront dispensary. Hodges became a court-certified expert witness tied to Proposition 215.[4][5][6]
By the early 2010s, he was also associated with SaveCannabis.org, A2C2, and policy-advising work.[7]
Church of Ambrosia
In January 2019, Hodges founded Church of Ambrosia, a nondenominational religious organisation based in Oakland, California. The organization describes itself as a psychedelic church centered around the sacramental use of cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms.[3][8] It has been described as part of a movement of contemporary psychedelic and entheogen-based religious organisations in the United States.[9][2]
Hodges founded the organisation following a profound spiritual experience. According to the organisation, "Three luminous beings appeared and identified themselves to Dave, explaining why his life had unfolded the way it had."[10]
Bibliography
- Hodges, David F. Book of Ambrosia: A Modern Guide to Spirituality and Psychedelics. First edition.
See also
References
- 1 2 Yakowicz, Will. "The Prophet Of Shroom: Inside America's Largest (And Trippiest) Megachurch". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- 1 2 3 Busby, Mattha (2024-06-05). "Inside the Megachurch Where Shrooms and Weed Are Religion". VICE. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- 1 2 Faretra, Joe (2024-06-13). "Inside cannabis-worshiping megachurch with armed guards and 'Prophet of Shrooms'". Daily Star. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ "Quotes of the Day | KQED". www.kqed.org. 2010-10-11. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ "Santa Clara Marijuana Dispensary Shut Down - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. 2010-10-16. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ "Spotify – Web Player". Spotify. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ Horowitz-Ghazi, Alexi (2026-02-19). "Psychedelic religious groups blur the line between business and spirituality". KOSU. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ Black, Lester (2024-08-22). "This San Francisco church has 115K members yet might be illegal". SFGATE. Retrieved 2026-06-20.
- ↑ "Pastor Dave Hodges". Church of Ambrosia. Retrieved 2026-06-21.