Why Rastafari smoke marijuana for sacramental reasons and the faith’s other beliefs | News – Medical Marijuana Program Connection

Members of the Rastafari religion and political movement have for decades been persecuted and imprisoned for their ritualistic use of marijuana. But the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda recently became one of the first Caribbean nations to grant Rastafari official sacramental authorisation to grow and smoke the herb that they deem sacred.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told The Associated Press in an interview that his government took this step to try to end the persecution and bring respect to the Rastafari faith.

Rastafari elsewhere are pushing for similar religious protections. Experts and stakeholders think the Antigua and Barbuda law could give a boost to these efforts worldwide at a time when public opinion and policy are continuing to shift in favour of medical and recreational marijuana use.

Here is a quick look at the faith’s beliefs and history:

The Rastafari faith is rooted in 1930s Jamaica, growing as a response by black people to white colonial oppression. The beliefs are a meld of Old Testament teachings and a desire to return to Africa. Its message was spread across the world in the 1970s by Jamaican music icons Bob Marley and Peter Tosh — two of the faith’s most famous exponents.

ORIGINS

A Rastafari’s personal relationship with “Jah”, or God, is considered central to the faith.

Rastafari followers believe that the use of marijuana is directed in biblical passages and that the “holy herb” induces a…