In brief
Kenya’s High Court has declined a Rastafarian group’s request to legalise cannabis for religious purposes, ruling that the court could not find a violation of constitutional rights. The decision acknowledges the need for a broader national discussion on cannabis use and regulation. While Rastafarians cite cannabis as integral to their faith, the court highlighted that drug laws are designed to protect public health and safety. The ruling comes amidst ongoing debates on legalising cannabis for medicinal, industrial and recreational use, promising potential economic benefits such as jobs and tax revenue.
Kenyan High Court Declines Rastafarian Cannabis Legalisation Appeal
Kenya’s High Court has dismissed a bid by a Rastafarian group seeking to legalise the use of cannabis for religious purposes.
The petitioners argued that the ban on smoking cannabis infringed on their constitutional rights to freedom of religion and belief. Justice Bahati Mwamuye stated that the group failed to demonstrate that drug laws violated these rights, though the court acknowledged a broader national conversation on cannabis is necessary.
Advocates for legalising cannabis point to possible economic benefits, including job creation, tax revenue and the development of therapeutic and industrial applications. Rastafarians maintain that cannabis, known as “ganja,” is a sacramental element central to their faith.
“We must have frank conversations on cannabis and which directions we should take,” Justice Mwamuye said. “This is not a question for the Rastafarian community only. It is a national question that cuts across the entire spectrum of our society.”
The court’s decision highlights the tension between existing drug regulations and the protection of religious liberties, and sets the stage for continued debate and potential policy reform in Kenya.
Photo: A group of Rastafarians with a cannabis cigarette.
Source: AFP via Getty Images
