REWRITE HEADLINE: Kenyan Rastafarians Defy Ban on Religious Cannabis Use, Seek Legal Appeal BODY: NAIROBI, Kenya – In a blow to Kenyan Rastafarians seeking to use cannabis for religious practices, the High Court has upheld the country’s drug laws, rejecting their request. Despite a long-running legal battle, the community has vowed to appeal the decision.
The Rastafari Society of Kenya had been fighting for the right to use cannabis, claiming it was essential to their religious observances. “We will not lose hope, “declared Ras Wambua, the group’s 55-year-old spokesperson. “We will continue to pursue our rights, because when one door has been closed, we believe other doors have been opened. “.
At the court hearing, the community argued that the drug was a sacrament integral to their meditations and spiritual rituals.
However, the judges concluded that while they recognized the sacramental use of cannabis, it was not necessary to their practice and, thus, could not be used to bypass the strict drug laws. Under current Kenyan law, possession of marijuana is punishable by up to 10 years’imprisonment and a significant fine. Despite this, the court judge acknowledged the drug’s pervasive recreational use in Kenya and suggested the laws might be overly harsh. “.
Use of cannabis in this country has become ubiquitous, “the judge said citing the lyrics from Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It. Officials commented on the matter.
The ruling has fueled frustration among Rastafarians, many of whom view the law as an oppression of their religious freedoms. Ras Dimo, one of the petitioners, decried the judgment as reflective of “oppression, colonial laws that want to put African spirituality down. “Rastafarianism, with its roots in Jamaica, has been gaining traction in Kenya, particularly among young people.
The community shares a unique bond with Kenya’s history due to their tradition of wearing dreadlocks, which was also embraced by many Mau Mau fighters in their struggle against British colonial rule. While the appeal process is under way, the Rastafari Society remains determined to fight for their religious rights, seeking justice within the Kenyan legal system.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
