Kenyan court dismisses Rastafarians’ bid to legalise cannabis

The Supreme Court of Kenya has rejected a bid by a Rastafarian group seeking to legalize the use of marijuana for religious purposes.

The Rastafarian community claimed that the ban on smoking marijuana violated the freedoms of religion and belief guaranteed by the constitution.

In a groundbreaking ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye said the community had failed to prove drug laws violated their constitutional rights but acknowledged the need for a broader national debate on cannabis.

There is a constant push to legalize cannabis in Kenya; Advocates argue that regulated cultivation and trade of marijuana could create jobs, increase tax revenue, and support industrial and medical uses.

Rastafarians argue that smoking marijuana is part of their religious doctrine that should be respected and supported.

“We need to have frank conversations about cannabis and which direction we should go,” Justice Mwamuye said.

“This is not just a problem for the Rastafarian community. It is a national problem that covers the entire spectrum of our society,” he added.