'It's a gift from God!' Rastafarians defend religious use of bhang in court petition

Members of the Rastafarian community have defended the religious use of cannabis, telling the court that the plant is sacred and forms part of their spiritual worship and meditation practices.

In a petition before the High Court, the community argues that laws prohibiting the private use of cannabis violate their constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of religion. They say the herb is central to their faith and is used during worship and meditation to seek solutions to societal challenges.

A member of the Rastafarian community told the court that the plant has many names and has long been used within their place of worship as part of their spiritual practices.

“This plant has so many names. I have used it personally and in our place of worship. It is used among women, men and youth, but children are not allowed," the court heard

According to the member, “reasoning” is a spiritual practice carried out during worship where members gather to meditate and discuss issues affecting society.

The witness explained that the herb is sometimes used during group worship but may also be used privately at home as part of prayer and meditation.

“Personally, I use it at home. Not all the time we meet. Sometimes we decide to stay at home and use it to pray as Rastafarians,” she said.

The member emphasised that the Rastafarian community has strict guidelines governing the practice. She told the court that only adults aged above 18 years who possess national identification and understand the purpose of the practice are allowed to participate.

“As Rastafarians, you must be above 18 years, have an ID and know what you want to achieve in life,” she stated.

He further told the court that the Rastafarian society operates under a constitution that guides members in their daily lives and safeguards their welfare.

However, members say they have faced discrimination and legal challenges because of their beliefs.

“We have been affected by being isolated by our relatives and being arrested and taken to court, where you are not charged with the use of the plant but with drug trafficking,” the court heard

The community maintains that the herb is not used for recreational purposes but for spiritual meditation.

“We are spiritual people. We have the holy herb for meditation, not for procreation,” the witness added.

The court was also told that there is no standard prescribed quantity for its use, saying it depends on the individual.

The petitioners argue that the plant is regarded within their faith as holy and a gift from God.

“We recognise the plant as holy and as a gift from God,” she said.

In the petition, the Rastafari community, through lawyer Shadrack Wambui and Danstan Omari, contends that several countries around the world have moved to legalise or regulate the use of cannabis, particularly in recognition of religious or cultural practices.

The case now before the court is the question of whether existing laws restricting cannabis use infringe on the constitutional right to freedom of religion for members of the Rastafarian faith.