This posed great problems for the Rastas, who use a drug called cannabis, Ganji, or most colloquially known as marijuana as a spiritual action, often accompanied by Bible study. To the Rastafarian, cannabis is known as the "healing of the nation," "ganji," or "herb," and is considered a sacrament in their religion for cleansing both the body and mind, healing the soul, exalting the consciousness, and propelling the peace and please that subsequently brings the, closer to Jah. It is essential to burn the herb "for it will sting in the hearts of those that promote and perform evil and wrongs." While smoking Ganji has now become part of the stereotype surrounding the Rastafarians and they do see it in a positive light, there is no mandate for it to be used during worship. Which is fortunate, seeing how the courts have deemed that marijuana use, even for spiritual purposes by Rastas, is illegal.
Many Rastas claim that cannabis is part of a reclamation of their African culture. In the 18th century, cannabis, at that time and place known as dagga, was first introduced to Central and Southern Africa by Arab traders. For this reason, many Rastas see the illegality of cannabis as s a validation of their belief in the persecution of the Rastafarian. This does not mean that they are surprised by its illegality, because they believe that Babylon system is afraid to unleash the power of the cannabis, its' ability to open the mind of the mortal to the truth. In no way do they view, their healing herb as similar to alcohol and other drugs; the distinction lies in the marijuana's ability to open the mind, and the converse detrimental destruction of the mind that occurs under their substances. They have quotes from the bible that they view sanction the justification of the drug's use, holding too that the etymology of the word cannabis" comes from the herb God mandated Moses to use in preparation of the sacred anointing perfume in Exodus 30:23.
Nonetheless, Rastafarians are liable for arrest under the drug laws if caught using marijuana. The once-Attorney General of the U.S. Janet Reno made a statement in 1998 citing the smoking of marijuana as a violation of the U.S. drug laws, and promulgating that Rastafarians did not have the religious right to smoke ganja. This opinion is shared in the United Kingdom, where the Court of Appeals in the R.v. Taylor 2002 postulated that the prohibition did not interfere with the Freedom of religious rights stated and protected under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
These laws governing religious marijuana use may change in the future. The Italian Supreme Court has already done so, legalizing Rasta marijuana use, citing it as a sacrament in 2008. My personal beliefs lean toward the Libertarian. I see marijuana as the most harmless of drugs, and wouldn't really have a problem if it was legalized as long as restrictions were imposed. With that said, I am a complete supporter of the government, and as the law stands, I believe that no one should smoke and if caught should take the full consequences. Personally, I like to always be in control of my actions and the use of any psychoactive drugs, religious or recreational, at any time is entirely against my personal morals, values, and principles. In 1994 only, the War on Drugs laws and policies led to the incarceration of over one million Americans, 225,000 of which were in possession of marijuana. That number has remained fairly constant over the last couple years.
By Samantha Miller
ReplyDelete