Cannabis in the Rastafari Movement

Rastafarians will Soon be able to Smoke the Holy Herb Legally for the first time in Jamaica

The Rastafari movement in Jamaica uses cannabis for meditation. Originating in Jamaica in the 1930's the “holy herb” has been illegal in the country since the beginning of the religion. This month in Jamaica a bill is in the parliament to legalize marijuana. The bill will allow the citizens to possess 2 ounces or less of cannabis. The new law coming into effect will also allow Rastafarians to use cannabis for their rituals and not fear arrest. This change would end more than a 100 year prohibition of cannabis in the country.

Bible Verses that Talk about Marijuana

The Rastafarians accept most of the Bible where there are certain verses that justify the use of cannabis:

He causeth the grass for the cattle, and herb for the services of man.

Psalm 104:14

...thou shalt eat the herb of the field.

Genesis 3.18

...eat every herb of the land.

Exodus 10:12

Better is a dinner of herb where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Proverbs 15:17

Rastafarians usually refer to marijuana as the “holy herb” or “wisdom weed”. Used during reasoning sessions where they have meetings they use cannabis to meditate. They believe it gives a increased sense of community giving religious visions and calming the followers.

Leonard Barrett looked further into the significance and origins of cannabis in the rastafarian culture in the book The Rastafarians, The Dreadlocks of Jamaica. He describes the use of marijuana as a reaction to the treatment of blacks in the society. He concluded that the use of marijuana allows for a feeling of freedom from establishment.

Source:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/rastafari/customs/customs_1.shtml