https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-rastafari-religious-freedom-caribbean-c8f3b622e3ef8b04a79303401e5d468a
“We’re more free now,” said Ras Tashi, a member of the Ras Freeman Foundation for the Unification of Rastafari, who was arrested several times for growing cannabis but refused to plead guilty because to him, “it’s a God-given plant.” Rastafari elsewhere are pushing for similar religious protections. Experts and stakeholders think the Antigua and Barbuda law could give a boost to these efforts worldwide at a time when public opinion and policy are continuing to shift in favor of medical and recreational marijuana use.
“Just as we’ve recognized other faiths, it’s absolutely important for us to also ensure that the Rastafari faith is also acknowledged … to acknowledge their constitutional right to worship and to utilize cannabis as a sacrament.”, and its arrival predates the Rastafari faith. Indentured servants from India brought the cannabis plant to Jamaica in the 19th century, and it gained popularity as a medicinal herb.
“They embraced me,” he said in his office overlooking palm trees, green hills and the turquoise Caribbean waters. “It speaks to that positive value of brotherly love … I was always socialized to embrace Rastafari.” Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, reads an apology he made to the Rastafari community on behalf of his government for decades of persecution and oppression. The letter was originally delivered in parliament on May 1, 2018.
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Rastafari gain sacramental rights to marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda, celebrate freedom of worshipFor decades, members of the Rastafari community have been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic marijuana use. But the islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Cari…
Source: denverpost - 🏆 13. / 72 Read more »
Why Rastafari smoke marijuana for sacramental reasons and the faith's other beliefsMembers of the Rastafari religion and political movement have for decades been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic use of marijuana. But the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Caribbean nations to grant Rastafari official sacramental authorization to grow and smoke the herb that they deem sacred.Rastafari elsewhere are pushing for similar religious protections. Experts and stakeholders think the Antigua and Barbuda law could give a boost to these efforts worldwide at a time when public opinion and policy are continuing to shift in favor of medical and recreational marijuana use.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »
Rastafari gain sacramental rights to marijuana in Antigua and Barbuda, celebrate freedom of worshipFor decades, members of the Rastafari community have been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic marijuana use. But the islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Cari…
Source: denverpost - 🏆 13. / 72 Read more »
Why Rastafari smoke marijuana for sacramental reasons and the faith's other beliefsMembers of the Rastafari religion and political movement have for decades been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic use of marijuana. But the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Caribbean nations to grant Rastafari official sacramental authorization to grow and smoke the herb that they deem sacred.Rastafari elsewhere are pushing for similar religious protections. Experts and stakeholders think the Antigua and Barbuda law could give a boost to these efforts worldwide at a time when public opinion and policy are continuing to shift in favor of medical and recreational marijuana use.
Source: AP - 🏆 728. / 51 Read more »