Rastas want right to smoke marijuana as part of religion

The Nyabinghi Order of the Rastafarian Movement is of the view that the rights and freedoms of Rastas are infringed when they are not allowed to use marijuana as part of their religious practice.{{more}}

The Order held a meeting last Saturday, September 4 at the University of the West Indies Open Campus following criminal charges brought by the police against two Rastafarians for possession of marijuana at the tabernacle, their place of worship.

A release from The Order said the gathering was addressed by the legal representative and defender of the movement, Brother Joe Delves.

Follow discussions, a steering committee comprising of seven persons was elected.

The committee was expected to hold its first meeting yesterday, Monday and is expected to come up with a plan of action “in defence of the rights of Rastafarians to use the herb as part of their religious sacrament under the constitution”, the release said.

A petition supporting such rights is already being circulated for signature among the Vincentian public.